TerryJ2
Well-Known Member
husband and I met with-the dr this a.m. and went over the psychoeducational testing difficult child had done last mo.
He is "borderline" Aspie, which makes me think "Aspie lite."
(I hope you don't mind my stealing that phrase, Trinity. I just love it. )
The dr really doesn't think that the meltdowns are mood related (aka bipolar) and that we should be able to see the rages coming when difficult child is suffering from anxiety, typically due to changes in his environment or stress, from school or demands at home.
difficult child's IQ and several other test scores were nearly identical to the testing we had done when he was 8, so at least he's consistent. He tested in the low-average range for math (grade 4, and 9 mo's) and very high for spelling, word memorization and sociological concepts (9th gr).
Unfortunately, the test results were only partially typed up, so we will have to wait a wk or so to get them, because I'd like to pass on the exact names of the tests for anyone here who wants to know.
From past experience, I recognized one of the tests was Weschler, and also that the dr had used either definitions or tests based on the DSM IV (I remember seeing that name around here a few times, and someone mentioned that it is very important to get the most recent version because dxs and definitions have changed).
The dr showed us drawings difficult child had done and I think the most interesting and revealing piece was a family portrait. He drew all four of us in a row. On the right, he and I were the exact same height and appearance. He wrote "Mom" and "Me" with-arrows pointing to the figures. There was a bit of a gap, and then husband and easy child next to one another, taller than difficult child and I. (Yes, they are taller.) It was like we were paired up. Luckily, we were all smiling and no one was holding any weapons, LOL!
Anyway, the dr thought it was significant that difficult child placed himself on an equal plane and equal height and appearance with-me and wondered about power struggles and equality issues. Uh, yeah! LOL! And he wondered if difficult child saw husband as preferring to spend time with-easy child and getting along with-her better. Yes, again! The Perfect Daughter. How you can figure out family dynamics from a little kid's picture like that is amazing.
This dr is into natural remedies, which husband liked--melatonin, vit B, fish oil, beta carotene, etc.
We are having the results sent to the child psychiatrist who is now prescribing difficult child's medications. It will be interesting to see what she adds to the mix. husband and I still think that the underlying anger and defiance has nothing to do with-Asperger's. husband wanted to know if the dr thought there was any Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). The dr today disagreed and thought it was something else but didn't venture a guess. He just stressed routine, transitioning practice, and training.
The psychiatrist appointment is Dec. 10.
I called our regular child psychologist and told them about the appointment, and made an appointment with-them the 3rd wk in Dec. because I know we still have to do behavioral therapy.
husband and I are going to talk to difficult child tonight and tell him that the dr gave us the test results. We are going to present this in the light of how smart he is, and that he CAN do math and go onto 6th gr as long as he tries. We thought it might be best if the psychiatrist tells him about AS, because he won't be in denial. We can just imagine how he'll tell us that the dr we saw today is a liar and how can he be smart but still have AS?
I have a feeling, though, that difficult child will back us up against the proverbial wall and remember that there was an Aspie component. In that case, I will explain it as a diff type of brain development, where some parts develop quickly and some parts slowly, that he learns differently ... we just do NOT want him using it as an excuse to get out of homework. Or as an excuse for anything.
He is "borderline" Aspie, which makes me think "Aspie lite."
(I hope you don't mind my stealing that phrase, Trinity. I just love it. )
The dr really doesn't think that the meltdowns are mood related (aka bipolar) and that we should be able to see the rages coming when difficult child is suffering from anxiety, typically due to changes in his environment or stress, from school or demands at home.
difficult child's IQ and several other test scores were nearly identical to the testing we had done when he was 8, so at least he's consistent. He tested in the low-average range for math (grade 4, and 9 mo's) and very high for spelling, word memorization and sociological concepts (9th gr).
Unfortunately, the test results were only partially typed up, so we will have to wait a wk or so to get them, because I'd like to pass on the exact names of the tests for anyone here who wants to know.
From past experience, I recognized one of the tests was Weschler, and also that the dr had used either definitions or tests based on the DSM IV (I remember seeing that name around here a few times, and someone mentioned that it is very important to get the most recent version because dxs and definitions have changed).
The dr showed us drawings difficult child had done and I think the most interesting and revealing piece was a family portrait. He drew all four of us in a row. On the right, he and I were the exact same height and appearance. He wrote "Mom" and "Me" with-arrows pointing to the figures. There was a bit of a gap, and then husband and easy child next to one another, taller than difficult child and I. (Yes, they are taller.) It was like we were paired up. Luckily, we were all smiling and no one was holding any weapons, LOL!
Anyway, the dr thought it was significant that difficult child placed himself on an equal plane and equal height and appearance with-me and wondered about power struggles and equality issues. Uh, yeah! LOL! And he wondered if difficult child saw husband as preferring to spend time with-easy child and getting along with-her better. Yes, again! The Perfect Daughter. How you can figure out family dynamics from a little kid's picture like that is amazing.
This dr is into natural remedies, which husband liked--melatonin, vit B, fish oil, beta carotene, etc.
We are having the results sent to the child psychiatrist who is now prescribing difficult child's medications. It will be interesting to see what she adds to the mix. husband and I still think that the underlying anger and defiance has nothing to do with-Asperger's. husband wanted to know if the dr thought there was any Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). The dr today disagreed and thought it was something else but didn't venture a guess. He just stressed routine, transitioning practice, and training.
The psychiatrist appointment is Dec. 10.
I called our regular child psychologist and told them about the appointment, and made an appointment with-them the 3rd wk in Dec. because I know we still have to do behavioral therapy.
husband and I are going to talk to difficult child tonight and tell him that the dr gave us the test results. We are going to present this in the light of how smart he is, and that he CAN do math and go onto 6th gr as long as he tries. We thought it might be best if the psychiatrist tells him about AS, because he won't be in denial. We can just imagine how he'll tell us that the dr we saw today is a liar and how can he be smart but still have AS?
I have a feeling, though, that difficult child will back us up against the proverbial wall and remember that there was an Aspie component. In that case, I will explain it as a diff type of brain development, where some parts develop quickly and some parts slowly, that he learns differently ... we just do NOT want him using it as an excuse to get out of homework. Or as an excuse for anything.
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