The Results Are In......

[alainabeck]

About a couple weeks ago I wrote a post about my son, Joey's evaluation.  Well we are seeing three people the second week of December to find out what they have found with the evaluations and what the decision is and our options on what we need to do.  Needless to say I am very anxious, worried and stressed out!

I am anxious cuz I want to know what is wrong and what we can do to get things moving in the right direction.  I am worried that Joey will not have a normal life and that I will not be able to live up to what he needs me to be and do as a mom.  I am stressed out to find out what is wrong and of course I am thinking the absolute worse possible scenario, that he can't go to normal school and will have to do a different type of schooling, which I may not be able to get him to.  '

Not to mention all of that, my work is very disciplined on time because I run the department I do not get to have a more flexible schedule with him, even when I am home on a day off I am working.  They call me all the time to go over things and a lot of times I have to conduct my mediation or legal work at home. 

I think I need to either work for a company or person that can allow me the independent contractor type lifestyle with the free hours with good pay or maybe work for myself.  I just don't know.  All I do know is that I should and want to be there for my son more than I have. 

I am up for any suggestions. 

 

[Sylbroyles]

Nov. 27, 2008 at 12:25 AM

Okay, I am not sure exactly how old your child is?  I have 2 sons.  One with Autism and one just speech delayed.

Lets talk about the speech-delayed, he is the youngest.  They evaluated him to be behind on certain things, but with the help of speech and preschool, he was able to catch up and enter normal K.  Also within ONE month of preschool at age 3, he finally started pooping in the potty.  Before that, he would have accidents b/c he didn't understand the meaning of "tell us before you have to go".  But I think seeing the other kids go at school helped alot. 

Now the one with Autism and behavioural issues.  He is my middle child.  he was diagnosed at 2.8 yrs old.  He started preschool, speech therapy, occupational therapy.  We did this for a few yrs and even VIP soccer for kids with disabilities.  He entered a Special Day Class K but still had some behavioural issues.  This yr he started ABA ~ Applied Behavioural Analysis with positive reforcement/praising and is in SDC 1st grade.  But the 1st grade teacher saw him last yr and knows that he has done a complete turn around on the behavour issues.  He used to spend alot of time in time-out but not this yr.  He still needs his daily routine and to know what is going on or he was tantrum.  Unexpected Assemblies are hard on him, he needs to be told upfront what is going on and when.   Plus we are also doing gymnastics as well.

Behavioural issues may also be a sign of other things as well.  Alot of kids have food allergies and instead of breaking out, they act out instead.  Generally kids with Autism or ADHD may be allergice to wheat, milk, eggs.  I suggest you have him tested for food allergies.  Also occupational therapy helps alot with behaviour problems as they learn how to transition, vestibular movements.  The major tantrums were gone by age 4 including the head banging tantrums after  1.5 yr of OT.    he may act out because he doesn't understand the words you are saying.  You may think he hears you such as you say" what does a cow say?"  and he says "moo", but sometimes they only actually hear or understand part of the sentence.  Or he can only say part of the answer and not be able to fully communicate with you.  This is called receptive language (what he hears) and expressive language (what he says) disorder.  With lots of speech therapy, he can learn to talk and communicate.  My son talks all the time!! he understand you to most of the time.  Like he understand Who, What, or Where questions, but if you ask When or Why Questions, he gets confused and may start talking off topic b/c he doesn't understand or have a tantrum/yell/hit, whatever.  So his speech therapists are working on him focusing on a story and retelling what happened, who did this, WHEN did they do this, HOW do you think they felt, etc.   These concepts are hard for Autistic children to learn but they can learn. 

My son is 7 next week.  He can read smalll words, write his name and spelling words even though he doesn't like to, count, ride a bike, get on the internet to playhouse disney, sing songs.   he finally started pooping in the potty at age 5.  yes, 5.  And he just finally started wiping his own butt and few weeks ago.  Not perfect but he is trying to do it himself which is great!  

I don't know what is wrong with your child or what exactly he is being tested for but the services and preschool that he will get can only help him get better.   He won't get better without help.

Hang in there!