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<blockquote data-quote="BeachPeace" data-source="post: 367672"><p>Good Morning! </p><p>Blue was adopted at age 5 from the United States Foster Care System. We had very limited information about his bio mom's pregnancy as she did not receive any prenatal care. She never admitted to much (said she had a "few" drinks and smoked "a little bit"). She lost custody of Blue by the State after many, many incidents of abuse, child endangerment and neglect and various arrests. In the court documents we were able to find out that she was arrested for prostitution and meth possession while she was pregnant. The state listed "fetal methamphetamine exposure" in his medical record. Bio mom also has a mental illness. </p><p>Ok - whew - that is enough about that. I have a hard time reconciling my anger at the length of time it took the State to terminate her rights. </p><p>Anyway - Blue looks and acts very similar to an autistic child, but he does not meet the DSM-IV criteria. He has no physical features of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) - and he does not meet the diagnostic criteria of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). He has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation - not otherwise specified. His IQ has been tested as low as 60s and as high as 70. His neurologist uses the MR diagnosis - but did add in Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). Neurologist has expressed his frustration at not being able to specifically classify neurodevelopmental damage due to drug use, thus the MR-not otherwise specified (Not Otherwise Specified). He also has an abnormal EEG. (actually pretty common with any brain damage) </p><p>neuropsychologist evaluation added the PTSD diagnosis. That is much, much better as he now sleeps through the night without the screaming night terrors. He will still rarely "shut down" and just get into fetal position and not respond to anywone when he gets scared. </p><p>The rages come and go.....like big temper tantrums from a toddler in a 75 pound body. The last phase of increased raging was apparently brought on by an ear infection (I am a RN and still cannot understand how I forgot to check that) After looking at his labs (we have Liver Function, Depakote level, and CBC done every 3 months) his neurologist also increased his Abilify and made a new order for prn (as needed) Risperdal.</p><p>I am also worried about side effects. We could discuss that into the ground and still never have peace about it. All I can tell you is that from a medical standpoint - we do labs every 3 months, we see a neurologist (brain damage is neurological, not psychiatric) every 3 months and as needed, and we feel that we are giving him every opportunity we have to function the best he can with all of the tools available.</p><p>My daughter Indigo (almost 11) is on the Spectrum - initally diagnosis'd with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified as a toddler, then the psychiatrist changed that to Asperger's at about age 7? Anyway, she always had an increase in aggression (not any raging) with any stimulant, and finally she settled in to Strattera. Worked great for many years, then she stopped sleeping. psychiatrist added Intuniv and after a few weeks of that combo she was really having side effects. So we all agreed to try a "drug holiday" - surprisingly after a few rough weeks of no sleep, she has fallen into a good routine and seems to feel better. So right now no medications for her.</p><p>Whew. I don't know where all that came from, but I just wanted to share. Good Luck and I am glad you are here!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BeachPeace, post: 367672"] Good Morning! Blue was adopted at age 5 from the United States Foster Care System. We had very limited information about his bio mom's pregnancy as she did not receive any prenatal care. She never admitted to much (said she had a "few" drinks and smoked "a little bit"). She lost custody of Blue by the State after many, many incidents of abuse, child endangerment and neglect and various arrests. In the court documents we were able to find out that she was arrested for prostitution and meth possession while she was pregnant. The state listed "fetal methamphetamine exposure" in his medical record. Bio mom also has a mental illness. Ok - whew - that is enough about that. I have a hard time reconciling my anger at the length of time it took the State to terminate her rights. Anyway - Blue looks and acts very similar to an autistic child, but he does not meet the DSM-IV criteria. He has no physical features of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) - and he does not meet the diagnostic criteria of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). He has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation - not otherwise specified. His IQ has been tested as low as 60s and as high as 70. His neurologist uses the MR diagnosis - but did add in Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). Neurologist has expressed his frustration at not being able to specifically classify neurodevelopmental damage due to drug use, thus the MR-not otherwise specified (Not Otherwise Specified). He also has an abnormal EEG. (actually pretty common with any brain damage) neuropsychologist evaluation added the PTSD diagnosis. That is much, much better as he now sleeps through the night without the screaming night terrors. He will still rarely "shut down" and just get into fetal position and not respond to anywone when he gets scared. The rages come and go.....like big temper tantrums from a toddler in a 75 pound body. The last phase of increased raging was apparently brought on by an ear infection (I am a RN and still cannot understand how I forgot to check that) After looking at his labs (we have Liver Function, Depakote level, and CBC done every 3 months) his neurologist also increased his Abilify and made a new order for prn (as needed) Risperdal. I am also worried about side effects. We could discuss that into the ground and still never have peace about it. All I can tell you is that from a medical standpoint - we do labs every 3 months, we see a neurologist (brain damage is neurological, not psychiatric) every 3 months and as needed, and we feel that we are giving him every opportunity we have to function the best he can with all of the tools available. My daughter Indigo (almost 11) is on the Spectrum - initally diagnosis'd with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified as a toddler, then the psychiatrist changed that to Asperger's at about age 7? Anyway, she always had an increase in aggression (not any raging) with any stimulant, and finally she settled in to Strattera. Worked great for many years, then she stopped sleeping. psychiatrist added Intuniv and after a few weeks of that combo she was really having side effects. So we all agreed to try a "drug holiday" - surprisingly after a few rough weeks of no sleep, she has fallen into a good routine and seems to feel better. So right now no medications for her. Whew. I don't know where all that came from, but I just wanted to share. Good Luck and I am glad you are here! [/QUOTE]
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