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New here- Boy/ Girl twins, both with issues
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<blockquote data-quote="buddy" data-source="post: 531139" data-attributes="member: 12886"><p>Several of us do like that approach. It takes a while to get into a neuropsychologist clinic for many people and an Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) (speech language pathology) and Occupational Therapist (OT) (occupational therapy) clinic are often a little quicker. The testing done in their specific areas go far beyond what the neuropsychologist will be able to do in those specific areas but the neuropsychologist will find the results of their testing very useful in putting together the bigger picture. </p><p></p><p>While the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and otr may have ideas about what is going on overall they will only be able to diagnose issues in their profession related to expressive and receptive communication/social communication and for Occupational Therapist (OT), fine motor and sensory issues. All of them will want to know about behavioral issues so from each of their perspectives they can hunt for possible causes or relationships between behaviors and conditions that they can help you with in therapy. For example an OTR (registered occ. therapist) will ask about behavior because lots of behaviors are signs of sensory seeking or sensory avoiding issues, or an inability to regulate the neurological system after too much stimulation, or when fatigued/hungry etc. These kinds of issues can be worked on regardless of the bigger diagnosis so it will not hurt to do those evaluations. </p><p></p><p>Even if they find things that really help explain the difficulties your kiddos are having it is really important to see if there is a "big picture" diagnosis because that can really help you access more services over their lifetimes. The neuropsychologist can also help track things over the years. Make sure that any past evaluations that you feel are valid and show your concerns also are given to the neuropsychologist before the evaluation because it will help them see the whole picture. you have a lot of data already to share and I bet even a summary like what you gave us here would help. There is a format on this site for a full developmental history that could save you time over the years if you just continue to add to it year after year. Trust me, for those of us who have filled out developmental profiles over many many years, it is nice to have that kind of information at hand. Saves lots of time (dont know about you but sitting around waiting rooms is not a picnic in our world...I like to give them as much info ahead of time as I can). I have had most clinics (Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), neuropsychologist all of them) send out the parent forms and checklists and assessment protocols ahead of the appointment anyway. So you can just add your info to the envelope and send it all together. </p><p></p><p>Oh by the way, WELCOME! They both definitely sound like something is going on and there are a ton of similar stories. Are they in early childhood special education preschool, gen. preschool or both? Some of these things do have a genetic component as I am sure you are aware, so watching the 2 yr old in case it is not just copying behavior would be a great idea (I am sure I am stating the obvious so sorry, not trying to insult you or anything....that must cross your mind frequently already.) Has their pediatrician ever said anything? </p><p></p><p>Each parent here has their own perspective, based on what we have familiarity with so we can only share what strikes us in terms of similar issues and you of course have to decide if that fits what you are seeing in your home. Do not worry if you disagree or anything, we are only on the internet after all, smile! Not like we can see the big picture like you can. I also am an Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) as well as a parent of a challenging difficult child/special needs child. I am only sharing that because my experience will show additional bias because I have worked with more students with developmental conditions than kids who have mental health conditions (but not exclusively...and my own son has a mental health challenge due to his early history of being in foster care and adoption added to his neurological diagnosis's), but I am not in any way saying that your kids have X or Y.... I am just sharing that because in all fairness you can say to yourself "well of course this chick is going to say that, it is what she has been around the most but she doesn't know about Z and K issues in our life"...LOL...</p><p></p><p>You asked about ideas and not knowing your family history of other health concerns (genetic or mental health issues ) that could be contributing, I was thinking the following:</p><p> </p><p>the <em>different language development profile </em>PLUS <em>the sensory issues</em> PLUS <em>the inability to transition well-(rigid-black white thinking issues? like when things dont go as he wants he falls apart)</em> PLUS <em>aggressiveness (not a formal symptom but a reaction that many see because of all of the other things you have listed)</em> PLUS <em>play issues (prefers alone, can play in a group-does he more play next to them or can he do a full scenario of creative play where they take on roles and the play varies in what they say to each other, his responding to what they say to him and then creating a new idea or response? or is it more chase play and building things along side of them etc?) and social skill challenges</em> PLUS <em>the topic/special high interest obsessions</em> when put together as a full group, could suggest Autism Spectrum Disorder--Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It seems to affect his overall life (school, home, out in public), started in early childhood (still is in early childhood). </p><p> </p><p>Lots of other diagnoses can have many of the separate issues you have mentioned, but but I am suggesting that putting it all together, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) it is a possibility, for both of your kids...(not as sure about the 2 yr old but if it turns out that this is an issue you will want to make sure/monitor). Since this is a spectrum disorder kids are affected in a wide range of ways and have a wide range of symptoms. Most kids do not have all of the symptoms you read about. It can be a really hard thing to think about because it certainly is a life long challenge, but the good news in a diagnosis like this would be that far more therapy doors would open. Support in school would increase (usually, we all know of exceptions--sadly) greatly because issues that are known to be related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are easier to get support for (Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Social skill groups, adaptations and accommodations in the classroom to help match the way a child processes information) which if done right can help a child to achieve their full potential and for many that means developing at the same level as other kids academically. In fact, many kids do far better than average in the academic areas when given the right accommodations. If it turns out that Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a possibility, it is no surprise that each of your kids could look quite different in some of their symptoms. Families who deal with this issue...with more than one child on the spectrum... can have kids who range from barely verbal and socially not at all interactive, to kids who almost dont meet criteria for diagnosis who have friends and do well in school but just are quite awkward socially or need to be able to take a break or wear a weighted vest to help with sensory issues...or ear plugs for assemblies etc. All this range...right in the same family. Again, this is just my impression from your post so it may not be what is going on at all, but I decided to answer your question knowing it could be a risk to say this. </p><p></p><p>Here is a simple definition of Asperger's syndrome though the lines blur between high functioning autism and in the new autism criteria that is in the book doctors will use to diagnose (the upcoming DSM V) they will not even use this term, but in general society I believe it will continue because it helps to explain in a quick way a little bit more specifically what types of issues a person on the spectrum has. I think you can see why I was thinking this for you though:</p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p>Since your kids are so young, and you are so proactive, whatever the neuropsychologist says the diagnosis or challenges are, your kids will have a good chance to achieve their potential. It is a lot of work but there is no feeling like knowing you have done all you can do and helped support your child. </p><p></p><p>So this is just ONE option and ONE area to investigate. You are on the right track checking out all of the possibilities with other assessments and doctors. </p><p></p><p>You are not alone, this is a huge and daunting challenge. No matter what anyone says, they are kids first and no label takes away their unique and precious characteristics. We will be here for you as you go on in this journey!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="buddy, post: 531139, member: 12886"] Several of us do like that approach. It takes a while to get into a neuropsychologist clinic for many people and an Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) (speech language pathology) and Occupational Therapist (OT) (occupational therapy) clinic are often a little quicker. The testing done in their specific areas go far beyond what the neuropsychologist will be able to do in those specific areas but the neuropsychologist will find the results of their testing very useful in putting together the bigger picture. While the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and otr may have ideas about what is going on overall they will only be able to diagnose issues in their profession related to expressive and receptive communication/social communication and for Occupational Therapist (OT), fine motor and sensory issues. All of them will want to know about behavioral issues so from each of their perspectives they can hunt for possible causes or relationships between behaviors and conditions that they can help you with in therapy. For example an OTR (registered occ. therapist) will ask about behavior because lots of behaviors are signs of sensory seeking or sensory avoiding issues, or an inability to regulate the neurological system after too much stimulation, or when fatigued/hungry etc. These kinds of issues can be worked on regardless of the bigger diagnosis so it will not hurt to do those evaluations. Even if they find things that really help explain the difficulties your kiddos are having it is really important to see if there is a "big picture" diagnosis because that can really help you access more services over their lifetimes. The neuropsychologist can also help track things over the years. Make sure that any past evaluations that you feel are valid and show your concerns also are given to the neuropsychologist before the evaluation because it will help them see the whole picture. you have a lot of data already to share and I bet even a summary like what you gave us here would help. There is a format on this site for a full developmental history that could save you time over the years if you just continue to add to it year after year. Trust me, for those of us who have filled out developmental profiles over many many years, it is nice to have that kind of information at hand. Saves lots of time (dont know about you but sitting around waiting rooms is not a picnic in our world...I like to give them as much info ahead of time as I can). I have had most clinics (Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), neuropsychologist all of them) send out the parent forms and checklists and assessment protocols ahead of the appointment anyway. So you can just add your info to the envelope and send it all together. Oh by the way, WELCOME! They both definitely sound like something is going on and there are a ton of similar stories. Are they in early childhood special education preschool, gen. preschool or both? Some of these things do have a genetic component as I am sure you are aware, so watching the 2 yr old in case it is not just copying behavior would be a great idea (I am sure I am stating the obvious so sorry, not trying to insult you or anything....that must cross your mind frequently already.) Has their pediatrician ever said anything? Each parent here has their own perspective, based on what we have familiarity with so we can only share what strikes us in terms of similar issues and you of course have to decide if that fits what you are seeing in your home. Do not worry if you disagree or anything, we are only on the internet after all, smile! Not like we can see the big picture like you can. I also am an Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) as well as a parent of a challenging difficult child/special needs child. I am only sharing that because my experience will show additional bias because I have worked with more students with developmental conditions than kids who have mental health conditions (but not exclusively...and my own son has a mental health challenge due to his early history of being in foster care and adoption added to his neurological diagnosis's), but I am not in any way saying that your kids have X or Y.... I am just sharing that because in all fairness you can say to yourself "well of course this chick is going to say that, it is what she has been around the most but she doesn't know about Z and K issues in our life"...LOL... You asked about ideas and not knowing your family history of other health concerns (genetic or mental health issues ) that could be contributing, I was thinking the following: the [I]different language development profile [/I]PLUS [I]the sensory issues[/I] PLUS [I]the inability to transition well-(rigid-black white thinking issues? like when things dont go as he wants he falls apart)[/I] PLUS [I]aggressiveness (not a formal symptom but a reaction that many see because of all of the other things you have listed)[/I] PLUS [I]play issues (prefers alone, can play in a group-does he more play next to them or can he do a full scenario of creative play where they take on roles and the play varies in what they say to each other, his responding to what they say to him and then creating a new idea or response? or is it more chase play and building things along side of them etc?) and social skill challenges[/I] PLUS [I]the topic/special high interest obsessions[/I] when put together as a full group, could suggest Autism Spectrum Disorder--Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It seems to affect his overall life (school, home, out in public), started in early childhood (still is in early childhood). Lots of other diagnoses can have many of the separate issues you have mentioned, but but I am suggesting that putting it all together, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) it is a possibility, for both of your kids...(not as sure about the 2 yr old but if it turns out that this is an issue you will want to make sure/monitor). Since this is a spectrum disorder kids are affected in a wide range of ways and have a wide range of symptoms. Most kids do not have all of the symptoms you read about. It can be a really hard thing to think about because it certainly is a life long challenge, but the good news in a diagnosis like this would be that far more therapy doors would open. Support in school would increase (usually, we all know of exceptions--sadly) greatly because issues that are known to be related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are easier to get support for (Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Social skill groups, adaptations and accommodations in the classroom to help match the way a child processes information) which if done right can help a child to achieve their full potential and for many that means developing at the same level as other kids academically. In fact, many kids do far better than average in the academic areas when given the right accommodations. If it turns out that Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a possibility, it is no surprise that each of your kids could look quite different in some of their symptoms. Families who deal with this issue...with more than one child on the spectrum... can have kids who range from barely verbal and socially not at all interactive, to kids who almost dont meet criteria for diagnosis who have friends and do well in school but just are quite awkward socially or need to be able to take a break or wear a weighted vest to help with sensory issues...or ear plugs for assemblies etc. All this range...right in the same family. Again, this is just my impression from your post so it may not be what is going on at all, but I decided to answer your question knowing it could be a risk to say this. Here is a simple definition of Asperger's syndrome though the lines blur between high functioning autism and in the new autism criteria that is in the book doctors will use to diagnose (the upcoming DSM V) they will not even use this term, but in general society I believe it will continue because it helps to explain in a quick way a little bit more specifically what types of issues a person on the spectrum has. I think you can see why I was thinking this for you though: Since your kids are so young, and you are so proactive, whatever the neuropsychologist says the diagnosis or challenges are, your kids will have a good chance to achieve their potential. It is a lot of work but there is no feeling like knowing you have done all you can do and helped support your child. So this is just ONE option and ONE area to investigate. You are on the right track checking out all of the possibilities with other assessments and doctors. You are not alone, this is a huge and daunting challenge. No matter what anyone says, they are kids first and no label takes away their unique and precious characteristics. We will be here for you as you go on in this journey! [/QUOTE]
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