Catwmn
New Member
I took Aaron out of school last monday. We have lived a horrible nightmare since then. His behavior is so out of control that he is a danger to himself and to his brothers. All of my dreams of homeschooling are dashed in a heartbeat.
I called the school last week to schedule a staffing to redo his IEP. They weren't happy about it but I knew my rights.
I am asking them to redo his FIE(Full and individual evaluation). We were going to go and see a neuropsychologist but medicaid does not cover neuropsychologist testing and it is too expensive.
Things have gotten so bad at home that I spent most of the weekend in tears...this is NOT my child. He is NOTHING like he used to be just a few months ago and I just can't put my finger on what is going on. He is so oppositional, defiant, and downright mean and angry that I wonder sometimes if he is possesed.(kidding but sometimes I really do wonder)
I have seen such an increase in his seizure activity but we are between doctors right now and I can't get either one of them to help us. I feel like I have nowhere to turn. And I am starting to lose hope...(He has started to have what I think are atonics, myoclonic, MORE absence, and even this weekend he had a TC that lasted 3 minutes)
I am going to paste the letter here and if someone would look at it and tell me it sounds ok. That would be great. I NEED help from the school and cannot handle him alone for another minute...
To The ARD Committee:
Over the past few months we have noticed a lot of changes in Aarons behaviors and cognitive functions. As you know, Aaron was diagnosed with Epilepsy over the summer. On September 21st of 2007 Aaron had an MRI at TXXX Childrens Hospital in which it was discovered that Aaron had a small mass in his right frontal lobe of his brain. His EEG which was done on September 25, 2007 showed significant seizure activity in his brain along with the presence of Absence seizures. Since this time we have witnessed Aaron regress considerably. I have listed our concerns below for your consideration.
 We have had to place Aaron back in pull-ups due to his loss of control over his bladder. This child has been potty trained for approximately 4 years and suddenly he is having accidents several times a day at school as well as at home and wetting the bed at night several times a week. We are not sure if this is a medication side effect, or if it is a Neurological problem due to his epilepsy.(We have spoken to his Neurologist about this and she says this is sometimes common with children with Epilepsy especially ones who have absence seizures or it is possible that he is having seizure activity at night that is causing him to wet the bed.)
 His attention span is almost nonexistent. He cannot even complete a simple worksheet or sit at the table for an entire meal.
 His Psychiatric condition has also deteriorated and his Psychiatrist has told us that Aaron has had at least 3 psychotic breaks in the past two months. These have been treated with heavy atypical antipsychotic drugs. (Risperdal and Seroquel at relatively high doses) (with little results as Aaron reports seeing things and hearing things that are not there almost daily) Aaron was diagnosed with Bipolar I, as well as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), ADHD, and possible ODD in October. (This is alongside his Epilepsy, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)) The Psychiatrist suspects that his Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) has worsened recently and he may fit the criteria for full blown Autism at this point. He also stated that he sees traits of Schizophrenia in Aaron but it is too soon to diagnose him with that. We will continue to monitor this.
 Homework has become a serious struggle. By the time Aaron gets home from school he is so off the wall with his behavior that it is nearly impossible to get ANY kind of homework done.
 He seems to be losing reading skills at an alarming rate. We have a set of books that he used to enjoy reading to me and it seems that lately he is having issues just getting through a few pages of the text. I dont know if this is due to his neurological problem(epilepsy) or if it is something psychological.(Maybe his Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is causing regression? This is what the Psychiatrist has told me. Sometimes children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) who also develop Epilepsy regress very quickly)
Due to the fact that the Neurologist and the Psychiatrist have seen such quick regression, we have been referred to an Epileptologist, and a Neurosurgeon. We have another EEG scheduled for December 21, 2007 at TXXX Childrens hospital. We will then meet with the new Epileptologist to determine if Aarons Epilepsy has in fact worsened. Our neurologist is also in the process of scheduling another MRI to take another look at the Mass that was found in Aarons right frontal lobe of his brain in September. There are signs to point to the possibility that this mass is either growing or changing and causing new types of seizures that have started as well as other neurological problems.
We had requested a Neuropsychological evaluation from a TXXX Childrens hospital and were told that his Medicaid would not cover it. The Neurologist suggested that we ask the school for another evaluation in light of Aarons regression to determine whether regular education was a good placement for him or not.
At this time we (Aarons parents and also his Psychiatrist) feel that Aaron should not be in the general education setting.
Since the middle of September Aaron has regressed considerably in his social skills, reading ability, attention span, and impulsiveness. His handwriting has also declined considerably.
He has also exhibited severe mood swings, aggression, hallucinations, and has lost most of his toileting skills. He has become defiant, oppositional, and has no concept of other peoples feelings or wishes. He has no concept of rules or following them and even after being told several times not to do something will do it anyways and then not understand why he is being punished for it. His gross motor skills have also declined as he has started to run into walls and furniture, and he also trips and falls a lot. ( we have had his vision tested by an Ophthalmologist who says that his vision is fine but he has a condition called Nystagmus which is neurological in nature and can cause blurry vision at times)
He is unable to (or unwilling) to take care of his personal hygiene such as bathing himself, wiping his face, washing his hands or brushing his teeth without one on one prompting and assistance.
Homework at home has become nearly impossible. Aaron cannot sit at the table for even a 4 minute span of time to complete a task. At mealtimes he has no concept of neatness, or eating without getting it all over the floor, table and himself.
Aaron cannot be left unsupervised AT ALL. We have had to lock up our cabinets, and place all knives and scissors out of reach, (due to a threat he made to his brother that he would stab him). Even with these things placed out of reach he will climb and place himself in danger attempting to get at them. Aaron has an obsession with digging through every cabinet and drawer in the house searching for things, but when you ask him what he is looking for he doesnt know.
He has become extremely destructive. He has gone into his brothers room many times and just wrecked it. Torn the sheets off the bed, dumped the toybox, and torn up papers and books. He also does this to any other room you leave him alone in for more than a few minutes.(including his own and his parents room) He has peeled wallpaper off of entire walls in our home, and attempted to break windows.
Aaron has missed a lot of days of school due to illness, psychiatric status, doctors appointments, and hospital visits for testing. We would like to see something placed in his IEP to excuse absences such as these without having to travel to TXXX Childrens for a doctors note.
Aaron has also reported being taunted and bullied at school by other students when he wets his pants. This has caused Aaron much distress. He even reported another student in a higher grade pulling his pull up down in the bathroom and ripping the sides of it.(This was on Monday, 11/26/07) On that day Aaron came home with his pull up TAPED to him, even though there were other pull ups in his backpack to change into. (Aaron has not been back to school since this incident as he expresses extreme anxiety, and tells me he hates school and hates being picked on and has no friends. When we even mention him going back to school he goes into complete meltdown mode and says he is afraid someone will kill him in the restroom. When asked who this child was that pulled his pullup down he says he doesnt know the boys name but he is in a higher grade. I have not as of yet reported this incident to his teacher because I have been too busy caring for Aaron at home this past week.
Aarons last Full and Individual Evaluation was completed in November of 2005. We feel that there have been significant changes in his cognitive function, psychological status, and his motor skills and educational abilities since that time. We would like to request another evaluation to determine the best placement for Aaron. At this point we are not sure where that is but we DO know that we feel that a regular classroom is not the best placement for him. We would like suggestions.
Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter.
Do you think this will get him another evaluation and new placement?
Does any one have any suggestions? Have you seen any of this in your own child? I just feel so lost and alone right now and don't know how to take one more second of this child in the condition he is in.
Thanks so much for listening..
Cat
I called the school last week to schedule a staffing to redo his IEP. They weren't happy about it but I knew my rights.
I am asking them to redo his FIE(Full and individual evaluation). We were going to go and see a neuropsychologist but medicaid does not cover neuropsychologist testing and it is too expensive.
Things have gotten so bad at home that I spent most of the weekend in tears...this is NOT my child. He is NOTHING like he used to be just a few months ago and I just can't put my finger on what is going on. He is so oppositional, defiant, and downright mean and angry that I wonder sometimes if he is possesed.(kidding but sometimes I really do wonder)
I have seen such an increase in his seizure activity but we are between doctors right now and I can't get either one of them to help us. I feel like I have nowhere to turn. And I am starting to lose hope...(He has started to have what I think are atonics, myoclonic, MORE absence, and even this weekend he had a TC that lasted 3 minutes)
I am going to paste the letter here and if someone would look at it and tell me it sounds ok. That would be great. I NEED help from the school and cannot handle him alone for another minute...
To The ARD Committee:
Over the past few months we have noticed a lot of changes in Aarons behaviors and cognitive functions. As you know, Aaron was diagnosed with Epilepsy over the summer. On September 21st of 2007 Aaron had an MRI at TXXX Childrens Hospital in which it was discovered that Aaron had a small mass in his right frontal lobe of his brain. His EEG which was done on September 25, 2007 showed significant seizure activity in his brain along with the presence of Absence seizures. Since this time we have witnessed Aaron regress considerably. I have listed our concerns below for your consideration.
 We have had to place Aaron back in pull-ups due to his loss of control over his bladder. This child has been potty trained for approximately 4 years and suddenly he is having accidents several times a day at school as well as at home and wetting the bed at night several times a week. We are not sure if this is a medication side effect, or if it is a Neurological problem due to his epilepsy.(We have spoken to his Neurologist about this and she says this is sometimes common with children with Epilepsy especially ones who have absence seizures or it is possible that he is having seizure activity at night that is causing him to wet the bed.)
 His attention span is almost nonexistent. He cannot even complete a simple worksheet or sit at the table for an entire meal.
 His Psychiatric condition has also deteriorated and his Psychiatrist has told us that Aaron has had at least 3 psychotic breaks in the past two months. These have been treated with heavy atypical antipsychotic drugs. (Risperdal and Seroquel at relatively high doses) (with little results as Aaron reports seeing things and hearing things that are not there almost daily) Aaron was diagnosed with Bipolar I, as well as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), ADHD, and possible ODD in October. (This is alongside his Epilepsy, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)) The Psychiatrist suspects that his Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) has worsened recently and he may fit the criteria for full blown Autism at this point. He also stated that he sees traits of Schizophrenia in Aaron but it is too soon to diagnose him with that. We will continue to monitor this.
 Homework has become a serious struggle. By the time Aaron gets home from school he is so off the wall with his behavior that it is nearly impossible to get ANY kind of homework done.
 He seems to be losing reading skills at an alarming rate. We have a set of books that he used to enjoy reading to me and it seems that lately he is having issues just getting through a few pages of the text. I dont know if this is due to his neurological problem(epilepsy) or if it is something psychological.(Maybe his Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is causing regression? This is what the Psychiatrist has told me. Sometimes children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) who also develop Epilepsy regress very quickly)
Due to the fact that the Neurologist and the Psychiatrist have seen such quick regression, we have been referred to an Epileptologist, and a Neurosurgeon. We have another EEG scheduled for December 21, 2007 at TXXX Childrens hospital. We will then meet with the new Epileptologist to determine if Aarons Epilepsy has in fact worsened. Our neurologist is also in the process of scheduling another MRI to take another look at the Mass that was found in Aarons right frontal lobe of his brain in September. There are signs to point to the possibility that this mass is either growing or changing and causing new types of seizures that have started as well as other neurological problems.
We had requested a Neuropsychological evaluation from a TXXX Childrens hospital and were told that his Medicaid would not cover it. The Neurologist suggested that we ask the school for another evaluation in light of Aarons regression to determine whether regular education was a good placement for him or not.
At this time we (Aarons parents and also his Psychiatrist) feel that Aaron should not be in the general education setting.
Since the middle of September Aaron has regressed considerably in his social skills, reading ability, attention span, and impulsiveness. His handwriting has also declined considerably.
He has also exhibited severe mood swings, aggression, hallucinations, and has lost most of his toileting skills. He has become defiant, oppositional, and has no concept of other peoples feelings or wishes. He has no concept of rules or following them and even after being told several times not to do something will do it anyways and then not understand why he is being punished for it. His gross motor skills have also declined as he has started to run into walls and furniture, and he also trips and falls a lot. ( we have had his vision tested by an Ophthalmologist who says that his vision is fine but he has a condition called Nystagmus which is neurological in nature and can cause blurry vision at times)
He is unable to (or unwilling) to take care of his personal hygiene such as bathing himself, wiping his face, washing his hands or brushing his teeth without one on one prompting and assistance.
Homework at home has become nearly impossible. Aaron cannot sit at the table for even a 4 minute span of time to complete a task. At mealtimes he has no concept of neatness, or eating without getting it all over the floor, table and himself.
Aaron cannot be left unsupervised AT ALL. We have had to lock up our cabinets, and place all knives and scissors out of reach, (due to a threat he made to his brother that he would stab him). Even with these things placed out of reach he will climb and place himself in danger attempting to get at them. Aaron has an obsession with digging through every cabinet and drawer in the house searching for things, but when you ask him what he is looking for he doesnt know.
He has become extremely destructive. He has gone into his brothers room many times and just wrecked it. Torn the sheets off the bed, dumped the toybox, and torn up papers and books. He also does this to any other room you leave him alone in for more than a few minutes.(including his own and his parents room) He has peeled wallpaper off of entire walls in our home, and attempted to break windows.
Aaron has missed a lot of days of school due to illness, psychiatric status, doctors appointments, and hospital visits for testing. We would like to see something placed in his IEP to excuse absences such as these without having to travel to TXXX Childrens for a doctors note.
Aaron has also reported being taunted and bullied at school by other students when he wets his pants. This has caused Aaron much distress. He even reported another student in a higher grade pulling his pull up down in the bathroom and ripping the sides of it.(This was on Monday, 11/26/07) On that day Aaron came home with his pull up TAPED to him, even though there were other pull ups in his backpack to change into. (Aaron has not been back to school since this incident as he expresses extreme anxiety, and tells me he hates school and hates being picked on and has no friends. When we even mention him going back to school he goes into complete meltdown mode and says he is afraid someone will kill him in the restroom. When asked who this child was that pulled his pullup down he says he doesnt know the boys name but he is in a higher grade. I have not as of yet reported this incident to his teacher because I have been too busy caring for Aaron at home this past week.
Aarons last Full and Individual Evaluation was completed in November of 2005. We feel that there have been significant changes in his cognitive function, psychological status, and his motor skills and educational abilities since that time. We would like to request another evaluation to determine the best placement for Aaron. At this point we are not sure where that is but we DO know that we feel that a regular classroom is not the best placement for him. We would like suggestions.
Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter.
Do you think this will get him another evaluation and new placement?
Does any one have any suggestions? Have you seen any of this in your own child? I just feel so lost and alone right now and don't know how to take one more second of this child in the condition he is in.
Thanks so much for listening..
Cat
