After the 6 month wait list got difficult child to the Neuropysch this month. 6 hours of testing. I have not seen full written report but met with Neuropysch doctor who reported difficult child is definitely not on spectrum; is in high to superior range in all areas with strength in verbal; weak areas for difficult child include holding complex info in memory and working with it. Although this is a weak area for difficult child compared to her abilities in other domains it is still within normal range.
So the Neuropysch conclusion was that we are dealing with an emotional imbalance ie mood disorder or predominant anxiety. She felt based on difficult children behavior and how hard it was to get difficult child to come to testing that difficult child is not ready for individual therapy, though she stated that difficult child will need to learn coping skills in order to lead a full life and develop relationships etc. She felt that difficult children current "coping skills" tantrums and trying to exert control had really shifted the power balance in the family. She said that difficult child was powerful and at the same time extremely fragile. (By power I think she means that so much of our daily life revolves around managing difficult children behavior and things that parents typically determine such as what car to drive or going on vacation are dictated by her just so that we can get through the days)
She recommended structural family therapy. Anyone have experience with that? I think it would involve husband and I and maybe siblings and maybe eventually difficult child if we can get her to participate. My understanding is that it would focus on restoring power balance in family.
I am not sure if this is the route to go. Another would be to identify a therapist who does CBT and just work very slowly to build trust with difficult child and see if we can eventually start to address her extreme anxiety. Another route is medications. She was on abilify for 1 month and now off for 6 weeks. We saw improvement in that rages really diminished but have remained at bay even when off, allowing us to see more of the pure anxiety. psychiatrist would try a differment medication next (SSRI) to directly address anxiety but husband is not supportive of medications at this point.
I welcome any input from those who have been there done that
Thanks,
So the Neuropysch conclusion was that we are dealing with an emotional imbalance ie mood disorder or predominant anxiety. She felt based on difficult children behavior and how hard it was to get difficult child to come to testing that difficult child is not ready for individual therapy, though she stated that difficult child will need to learn coping skills in order to lead a full life and develop relationships etc. She felt that difficult children current "coping skills" tantrums and trying to exert control had really shifted the power balance in the family. She said that difficult child was powerful and at the same time extremely fragile. (By power I think she means that so much of our daily life revolves around managing difficult children behavior and things that parents typically determine such as what car to drive or going on vacation are dictated by her just so that we can get through the days)
She recommended structural family therapy. Anyone have experience with that? I think it would involve husband and I and maybe siblings and maybe eventually difficult child if we can get her to participate. My understanding is that it would focus on restoring power balance in family.
I am not sure if this is the route to go. Another would be to identify a therapist who does CBT and just work very slowly to build trust with difficult child and see if we can eventually start to address her extreme anxiety. Another route is medications. She was on abilify for 1 month and now off for 6 weeks. We saw improvement in that rages really diminished but have remained at bay even when off, allowing us to see more of the pure anxiety. psychiatrist would try a differment medication next (SSRI) to directly address anxiety but husband is not supportive of medications at this point.
I welcome any input from those who have been there done that
Thanks,