today is dx day...
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today is dx day...
| Thu, 08-16-2007 - 9:32am |
Well, it's been a long time coming but today is the day our evaluation starts. DS is 7 and has some fixative things, social issues, and anger management issues. We had an eval 2 years ago that revealed he was brilliant and quirky- not too helpful or professional in my opinion:) At the suggestion of his social worker we are seeking a 2nd eval through a new neuropsych. As he is getting older we are seeing more differences than similiarities between him and age mates. Socially his navigating skills are becoming further behind his peers but his academic skills are way ahead which just makes him an enigma to most. I am happy to get some answers but sad at the same time. Today I go for a consult with my gigantic stack of paperworks and notes so I don't forget anything and DS goes in on Mon. for 6 hours of testing. Be back later to hare how it went. Heather


Heather,
know that it's not unusual to have to repeat testing to get to the heart of what's going on. Liam had seen a neuropsych and a dev ped as well as a pdoc by the agte of 5, until the school psychologist saw him last year. Up to then he'd alwyas received ADHD, now we have ASD and ADHD. Cian begins testing in two week, so we can ride the testing train together:)
Dee
Good luck to both of you! I know how this all feels and it's not fun being nervous about these tests. Or getting the dx.
Just wanna send a hug :)
Lainie
Heather,
You are in a stressful part of the process. Please feel free to come here and vert cry or question as much as you need to.
Good luck with the testing, and please let us know how it goes, because I will be thinking of you guys and wonderign how you are.
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Thanks everyone. She used the A word and not aspergers. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach and it someone keeps kicking. After our conversation ( and she had previously read the other neuropsych assessment) she said it seems like autism. I said Aspergers and then after a pause she said autism. Now of course this is all contingent of how DS does on the tests which is Monday. Now I know I am picking on the wording here but for some reason aspergers doesn't sit as heavily on my heart as autism. Even though I realize tha aspergers is a form of autism. I don't know if that makes sense or not. I know that it is a word and DS is still DS but still I'm slightly reeling. Part of me hoped for another quirky and bright report or even a 'mom you're seeing things-he's fine'.
I can't help but wonder, DS was speaking in sentences at 15 months. Voacabulary was aquired easily and fluently by him. Isn't that not part of the autism dx?
The new Dr had issues that we homeschool-a definite try not wrinkle her brow experession each time it came up. She seemed to brush off my claims about working a grade level or higher above-that will show itself once she meets DS.
I was hoping I would feel like a weight was lifted but I don't. DH has been good--let me come home from appointment and nap. Now he and DS are going to the pool.
Heather
Ah yes, the neuropsych who thinks they know all, and we are uneducated morans....hold your ground. I was bullied (albeit unknowingly at the time) and two years later received the dx anyway. Technically the speech delay is a part of Autism v's Aspie, still Liam received the A word dx even though his speech was on tim and if anything advanced.
Like I said hold your ground...(((Hugs)))
Dee
Aspergers, autism, PDD-NOS. Honest, on the more verbal end of the spectrum it is all the same. It is all autism spectrum disorder.
What one doc will diagnose as autism another will say is aspergers another will say is PDD-NOS and all will have great justifications as to why each it that one. My 2 ASD kids have both had all 3 of those diagnostic labels. It hasn't changed who they are, it just depends on the mood of the doctor at the time.
My DD had significant language delays as a preschooler and toddler but now looks like the stereotypic Aspie. She has been mainstreamed or fully included for her entire school career with supports as needed. My ds did not have his sisters language delays (though he had a hard time conversationally) but currently requires a great deal more supports than his sister and is more impacted. He attends a specialized school.
A label is just a tool to understand a little more about how they think and how to provide supports to them. but it is only a tool because they are so different from one kid to the next. They are all autism spectrum disorder.
But they are so much more than just an autism disorder as you know. He is still the same boy with the same wonderful strengths and challenging challenges. understanding those strengths and challenges specific to him are more important that understanding exactly which dx it will be.
It is hard no matter the news you hear. It is doubly hard when you aren't expecting that exact term. I was really hoping as well to come out of appointments with that old "don't worry mom, he is just smart and quirky" too. Not that I was expecting to hear that but I really hoped. And I thought for sure I wouldn't get a full autism spectrum dx for son. I just really didn't want to. I still remember the kick in the stomach feeling.
At anyrate, big hugs to you. Make sure you take care of yourself.
(((((Heather))))),
I understand how you feel. For me, all the DXes (developmental and medical) were a kick in the teeth. I remember the Autism discussion we had
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Thank you all,
Yesterday we spent a fantastic day at the beach with 2 sets of our friends. The kids swam and dug in the sand for hours and it was an ideal day. DS had so much fun with his friends and I enjoyed visiting with mine. Neither of these moms were moms I could vent to but it was pleasant. Today DH took DS into the city to the science museum and I went to my monthy mom's morning out. The fates had it that only my good friend and I showed. I talked and she listened but I did get the response that I was expecting from my friends with the NT kids... " He doesn't seem autistic, just quirky". None the less, the iced mocha and sweet muffin were delicious. Then I had the rest of the day to myself. DH and DS got home about 7.
I shared with DH what the Dr. had said and let him know I wasn't ready to talk. I need to get my mind around it all first. I get that the term autism will make others sit up-that's a word that people have heard of. So now we wait-we have a mini family get away right before Labor Day so I am doubting I can get in before Sept to hear her final report.
Heather