Topic : 01/17 Extreme Disorders

Hello.  What a fantastic posting you made! I wish you continued success and am happy that you found out what your diagnosis is because it helps you know that you are not at all alone!  Give you parents a hug and be sure they get a copy of your posting too.  It will mean a lot to them, I am sure.  You are absolutely right when you encourage parents to find a niche for their child.  Asperger's blesses people with an acute ability to focus on subjects of interest to them.  It is be best ability I've ever heard of but falls under a genuine Disability.  What is done well is done extremely well.  What isn't done well....So, keep focusing on the positive and know that your greatest achievement in life is yet to come...being a supportive, loving father.  The support your wife gives may not entirely be from the "opposites attract" perspective, as you seem to think. Many Asperger's and ADD sufferers find love and acceptance from another sufferer.  My husband and I did. There's a high likelihood that one or more of your children will suffer as well.  Keep that positive attitude...always!  

I just finished posting a message with the same idea. The parents are treating this child as if they hace no clue to his specific needs. I know nothing about this disease and it was still clear ot me that you never want to be the one that seems to be more emotionally out of control than your own child. When factoring in the poor child's disease, I was even more shocked.  

The good news is that Dr. Phil no doubt will get them the advice they need to stop feeding the trauma to the detriment of the entire family. If not then maybe the parents will read the message boards (most seem to read about their own appearance at least) and they can be directed to some helpful info. 

Nine months ago after reading an article in our local paper about Aspergers my heart dropped. I saw my child in that clipping. Something that I had known from the start of his birth,but didn't know what exactly. Every time I asked the doctor why he was so sensitive to light and sound, lack of speech before the age of 4, no desire to interact with playmates and or siblings, and misinterpretation of words and phrases, and bowel problems among many more symptoms, he would always say "he'll out grow it, don't worry about it". I finally made an appointment with a Neurological psychiatrist,on our own and although the Dr. will not label him as Asperger, he did confirm a neurological disorder. My understanding is, there is NOT enough information out there for the General Practitioners and schools to help them with a diagnosis. We as parents have to be diligent in finding answers and information on our own, and push for answers. My son is 19 years old and because of the lack of social skills, he hasn't been able to hold down a job, although we are hopeful with his present one. I was told he should have been diagnosed at an early age with all the symptoms I reported to the doctor. My worry at this point is, is he going to be able to support himself, get through the bumps in life on his own, and although the information or lack of it in the show today was minimal, at least it's getting out there and Doctors have to be aware of these "disorders". My son has a very high IQ and I think, no, am convinced that if we got the help early on he would be a lot better off now. Also, symptoms are not always the same in everyone, one can show outrage, others none. Thank you Dr. Phil for at least bringing the subject to light. 

I have a son age 13 diag at 8 with TS. His tics are at a cough and grunt with sniff here and there. I did have some problems with the school. Lack of education is a shame in our school this time and age. Anyways, I faught like hell with them and they finally understood what he was going through. For those who are battling the school, you push as much info. on TS to them. Insist on the programs designed to help them. 501 program. 

 From the show, does it mean if your child has tourette now it will for sure get worse? This scares me and just want to know where we stand? 

our boy is ADHD he 17 we looked at another angle he was full of mercury we removed the mercury and he is getting better. He's not ADHD he was mercury toxicity ADHD, ADD and Autism is being treated by removing mercury because that is what it is in the first place. Doctors don't look for mercury. Our home was just like that boy on TV now it is not.  We have a life. Try removing mercury the only way it will show up is if you have a tooth analized. Blood, hair, nail, stool, urine won't show it. A tooth will. Treat it with chelation. That removes mercury. Our boy was never ADHD he was full of mercury from vaccines.  

Kathy 

I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Anxiety Disorder at age 10.   Although looking back, my symptoms started when I was a toddler, they became intrusive when I was in the 3rd grade.  After bouncing around between various doctors (including allergists and psychologists), my mother proposed the possibility of my having TS to my new pediatrician.   Sure enough, I was what they called a "textbook case" having a variety of simple and complex, verbal and motor tics.  I was put on medicine, which helped a LOT.  Although the side effects were substantial, the benefits (my receiving an education) outweighed the side effects at the time.  Over time, I tried numerous medications and a variety of educational settings (including General Education classes for the Gifted, to a very restrictive Non-Public School, NPS, setting).  After defeating the odds, I graduated High School, received a BA degree in Liberal Studies, earned a California Teaching Credential in the area of Mild to Moderate Disabilities, and now, at age 28, I am currently writing my thesis for a Masters Degree, also in Mild to Moderate Disabilities.  My thesis is on educating children with TS in the Least Restrictive Environment.   As an adult, I found that the negative effects of medicine no longer outweighed the benefits, so, under my doctor's care, I took myself off all TS medicine.  I feel better than ever!  Thanks to the behavior modification techniques I learned growing up and the constant support of my family and friends, I am able to function completely in my life.  As an adult, many people say they are surprised to hear that I have TS.  However, upon educating these same people on TS, they now say they can recognize the tics that I continue to have.   

In my opinion, Dr. Phil did a wonderful job portraying this unique disorder.  Some things that I have found in my studies that weren't mentioned include:  1. It is estimated that less that 5% of the population with TS have coprolalia (aka cussing).  2.  TS is believed to be one of a spectrum of disorders including, but not limited to, Asperger's Syndrome (AS)  and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).   

I have seen the HBO special on TS.  It is remarkable that these children are able to express their symptoms, feelings, emotions, and thoughts so well.  I see myself in many of these children, and I commend them for their strength and desire to educate their family, friends, educators, peers, and everyone who has the privilege of seeing their documentary.   

Listening to Karen today about her son Alex reminded me how I felt for so many years. I blamed myself for my sons autism. I felt I did something wrong to have this happen to him. Then I felt like I didn't do enough in getting him help. Ian does get violent. He has very little speech so he really get frusterated. He bites himself and hits his brother and me. i just like to share a few things with her. 

Karen: Take it from someone who is struggling just like you. You did nothing wrong. Nor did your husband. Your son has a neurological condition. He is ill. You didn't cause it and you can't cure it. Worry will only make you old before your time.  

The most  important thing I learned in dealing with Ian is that if he gets loud, erratic, angry and begins "cycling up" the best thing to do is remain calm. I never raise my voice when dealing with Ian. It is hard. It took me years to realize that my getting angry or yelling  just makes things worse, much worse. It took me even longer to be able to keep my voice and actions calm. I learned meditation. I also ascribe to the step back method. Whenever Ian does something inappropriate or dangerous I take a mental step back, center myself, walk away if I have to,  think about what is really going on. Is it something he did or an unreasonable expectation I have. Then when I am calm I use constructive language to express the problem I have with what Ian has done. I do it in a stern, low voice. I give Ian space to be angry and let him work through the anger. I never get close to him when he is angry. I talk with him from about 5 to 6 feet away.  

I hope this can help you. It takes real effort but Ian's angry outbursts have dwindled to less than once a month.  

I also pick my battles. What is really important. Are socks left in the living room really a reason to come down on a kid who has so many other things that challenge him?  

I hope you have friends and family that help you. Good luck! Your heart's in the right place. Alex will be fine!