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Adoption, the Unknown, and Fetal Alcohol Exposure
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 374805" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>I didn't read it that way at all. Of course there is going to be an overlap, because even autism diagnosis is inexact, and some kids will meet the criteria (which are after all a description; there is no specific brain functioning thingie we can specifically measure and say, "this means it is autism."</p><p></p><p>What I was trying to say, was that IF your son's facial features are due to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), then he would have other indications of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) too of the more severe kind. He would have the other damage. </p><p></p><p>The "seek and ye shall find" concerns of mine, are that if you go to the wrong people on this, they WILL find what they personally want to find. So make sure you choose people who will genuinely look impartially, and not just look with blinkers on. Otherwise you risk being misdirected.</p><p></p><p>One thing to watch for is splinter skills. You shouldn't see much with splinter skills, if this is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). But if it's high-functioning autism, then you should even now be seeing some signs of splinter skills and high function areas. If you do, give him his head in these areas, encourage him and support him even if it seems a bit way out or "too good to be true". For example, difficult child 3 showed very early ability with music, reading and use of computer.</p><p></p><p>Another big difference will show up in mathematical ability - kids with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) have trouble across the boards, including problems with mathematics. But with autism while it's not 100% that they are good at maths, it is more common than not, that they are at least capable mathematically compared to other subjects. Language delay and poor support (say, problems at school) can get in the way of this, but if he's struggling across the board academically, and can't improve even with one-to-one coaching, I would be more seriously considering Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as a possibility.</p><p></p><p>I'm trying to give you some hope here, WW, even while you follow through and get it all thoroughly, independently evaluated. If possible, have hope. But certainly, check it out. Whatever is going on, you need to feel assured and have a sense of direction.</p><p></p><p>I am glad I know, in the case of my boys. However, despite knowing alcohol is not a factor, I have at times wondered about other medications I have been on. In both boys I was taking salbutamol to stop labour. I was on double the dose with difficult child 3. And with difficult child 3, I was given 3 grams of iron by i.v. (that's grams, not milligrams) overnight, a few weeks before he was born. I'm fairly certain it damaged my liver (further). They have since discontinued this method of treatment for anemia. Did it cause brain damage? Did the salbutamol cause it?</p><p></p><p>We always have questions. There will always be unknowns. It's just that with adoptions, there are a lot more unknowns.</p><p></p><p>Let us know how you get on. I really hope you get test results that can assure you, rightly, that it isn't Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Or if it is, you are also given some strategies that you can use to help him. But if I were a betting person, my money would be on it NOT being Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Only I don't bet.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 374805, member: 1991"] I didn't read it that way at all. Of course there is going to be an overlap, because even autism diagnosis is inexact, and some kids will meet the criteria (which are after all a description; there is no specific brain functioning thingie we can specifically measure and say, "this means it is autism." What I was trying to say, was that IF your son's facial features are due to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), then he would have other indications of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) too of the more severe kind. He would have the other damage. The "seek and ye shall find" concerns of mine, are that if you go to the wrong people on this, they WILL find what they personally want to find. So make sure you choose people who will genuinely look impartially, and not just look with blinkers on. Otherwise you risk being misdirected. One thing to watch for is splinter skills. You shouldn't see much with splinter skills, if this is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). But if it's high-functioning autism, then you should even now be seeing some signs of splinter skills and high function areas. If you do, give him his head in these areas, encourage him and support him even if it seems a bit way out or "too good to be true". For example, difficult child 3 showed very early ability with music, reading and use of computer. Another big difference will show up in mathematical ability - kids with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) have trouble across the boards, including problems with mathematics. But with autism while it's not 100% that they are good at maths, it is more common than not, that they are at least capable mathematically compared to other subjects. Language delay and poor support (say, problems at school) can get in the way of this, but if he's struggling across the board academically, and can't improve even with one-to-one coaching, I would be more seriously considering Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as a possibility. I'm trying to give you some hope here, WW, even while you follow through and get it all thoroughly, independently evaluated. If possible, have hope. But certainly, check it out. Whatever is going on, you need to feel assured and have a sense of direction. I am glad I know, in the case of my boys. However, despite knowing alcohol is not a factor, I have at times wondered about other medications I have been on. In both boys I was taking salbutamol to stop labour. I was on double the dose with difficult child 3. And with difficult child 3, I was given 3 grams of iron by i.v. (that's grams, not milligrams) overnight, a few weeks before he was born. I'm fairly certain it damaged my liver (further). They have since discontinued this method of treatment for anemia. Did it cause brain damage? Did the salbutamol cause it? We always have questions. There will always be unknowns. It's just that with adoptions, there are a lot more unknowns. Let us know how you get on. I really hope you get test results that can assure you, rightly, that it isn't Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Or if it is, you are also given some strategies that you can use to help him. But if I were a betting person, my money would be on it NOT being Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Only I don't bet. Marg [/QUOTE]
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