Topic : Raising a Special Needs Child

I have been referred to a developmental specialist for my son, who I am told has features of asperger's.  Any advice? My son will be 7 in a few weeks, and it may be Febuary before the specialist can see him. 

  

Karen 

  

UST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A SUPPORT GROUP FOR ASPERGERS. ITS ALSO A MESSAGE BOARD THAT PEOPLE SUPPORT EACH OTHER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.GO TO ADHDNEWS.COM AND THE BOARDS ARE THERE.GOOD LUCK TO ALL.CATHY  

 

 ps. i wrote this out to someone else here on the board thought i'd share it with you.There might be someone on that message board or that website that you can get more info from.I just saw they had a support group for parents with kids with adhd or aspergers so though i'd share it with you ok. take care. 

Thanks. 

  

Karen 

  

  

  well this is new!! I hve three kids one has Autisium pdd one has adhd it think it might be someting else im taking him in soon and my oldest has a medical disabilty.She ;had rsv when she was thre an unusuall age for it but it happened.She lost part of her lugs to it she is at 60 percant lung cupacty.So she has to be very careful around sick people if she get sick it makes her very ill and had sent her to the hospotal.So i have my hands full all the time. It is not easy being a mom of three kids with different disabilties.I have cahllenges on a daily baisis that would make a normal mom crazy.This is a nice place to have so moms can get together and chat about our childerens problems and get some kind of relf knowing we ar not the only one out thier.I well be back her soon. 

  

  well this is new!! I hve three kids one has Autisium pdd one has adhd it think it might be someting else im taking him in soon and my oldest has a medical disabilty.She ;had rsv when she was thre an unusuall age for it but it happened.She lost part of her lugs to it she is at 60 percant lung cupacty.So she has to be very careful around sick people if she get sick it makes her very ill and had sent her to the hospotal.So i have my hands full all the time. It is not easy being a mom of three kids with different disabilties.I have cahllenges on a daily baisis that would make a normal mom crazy.This is a nice place to have so moms can get together and chat about our childerens problems and get some kind of relf knowing we ar not the only one out thier.I well be back her soon. 

    

  

    You can rserch it on the net.plasase do that.talk to the doctor.get early intervention for him the early the better.If he is put on any drugs please reserch them you can do that.do this before you give them to him.if you do not agree with the docto about drugs or what must be done for him speck up.You must do what is best for your son and yourself i know you will not agree with every thing the doctor or others say reserch and become very knowlagable about your sons needs.you are the one to make the desions.You are his advicate.reserch early intervention.and make sure if you chose meds you know egzacly what they are and there sideffcts and vbenifits.You will know if the diagnosis is a the right one be reading about it. 

My 5 year old  son just got "diagnosed" with ADHD and we are looking at going the medication route. I am totally confused as to what i want to do...Everybody has told me that he is not ADHD and that it is just a behavioral thing, but i want to believe that his doctor knows what is best for him. Any advice from anyone who is or has been in this situation, i need advice... The medication that he is being put on is FOCALIN XR. 

To all of you who are raising children on the autism spctrum, 

  

         I have tears in my eyes. Reading the boards that there are others out there  that have the same struggles. I have a six year old daughter with aspergers and a nine year old son with a major anxiety disorder learning disabilities and pdd.  MY husband is in the National Guard and is gone a lot.  Every day is a struggle.  From IEPs to fits my children may through because they are upset because of sensory issues or lack of being able to communicate.  To all thoughs perants who struggle with IEPs and getting the right help in school I do ahve one bit of advice ..KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!!!!......  Have a good relationship with the school dont stop till you find the right place.  My husband gave up a job so that we could live in the right school system he now makes a 1/4 of what he did before.  I believe with my whole heart it was worth it.   It helps me to read other perants struggles to know I am not alone.  I have been BEGGING Dr. Phils crew to do a show on this to find some research that helps pearants.  Poeple dont understand waht it takes to raise these kids and the HUGE HUGE struggle to get the right help for them.  I live in Michigan there is only one hospitol and nueroligy department that will see my kids My son is in desperate need of nuero testing I belive from his birth he has major frontal loab damage .  We can not get an appointment till late summer of 2006.  It is so sad to me I just feel like screaming why doesn't any one care!!!!!  Help me!! But no one wants to touch it because it is autism and there is little expierence in it.  Please if any one has any suggestions for navigating the medical fields please help.  For that matter if any one has any suggesting on raising children with these disorders it would be a great help to me Thank You,   Missy 

My daughter was diognosed with aspergers at three.  Right away I did research.  I found Play therapy was most helpful.  Sometimes you can ask for an IEP from your school system even if they are not yet in school.  This prepares the way and may open a way to get speech and other threapys because they add up fast.  Please look into plsy therapy.  The University  of Michigan website has info on it.  I hope all goes well, Missy