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<blockquote data-quote="judytor" data-source="post: 216912" data-attributes="member: 5400"><p>Please forgive my absence! I don't know what happened but I lost my bookmarks and after looking around for a while, found my way back here. </p><p></p><p>Anyway.....so much has happened since I last posted. We have been seeing that psychiatrist up at UCLA. He is wonderful. He believes ds4 is definitely on the autistic spectrum. He also sees severe anxiety and ADHD. He prescribed Ritalin which was HORRIBLE. Ds4 didn't respond to it well. We then went back to the Lexapro (but at an adjusted dose). We go in in a couple weeks for another follow up. Honestly, I don't see much of an improvement on either medications he's on (Risperdal or Lexapro). </p><p> </p><p>We also had him evaluated by the school district again (HUGE FIASCO). The school psychologist that evaluation'd him, told me he was not autistic after 5 MINUTES of being with him. Her reasons? He made eye contact! She refused to put it in the IEP. (even though it was an MD (one who specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)) who diagnosis'd him). Ughhh.</p><p>They wanted to label him ED. (I said no). They placed him in an ED preschool program (we took him out after two weeks). I loved the teacher but it was clear that a "behavior mod" environment was NOT what my son needed. They school psychiatric said he was manipulating me and he just needed some serious behavior mod. </p><p>Next we saw our Regional center for an evaluation. (they offer services IF your child is full spectrum autism). They diagnosis'd him with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified (so no services) and also with mood disorder-not otherwise specified and ADHD also separation anxiety.</p><p></p><p>Recently I spoke with a leading researcher in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) who assured me that my son most likely has Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). He fits much of the criteria and it would explain why he is not fitting perfectly into any diagnosis. </p><p></p><p>We are currently reading The Explosive Child and I am hoping to implement that model.</p><p></p><p>Going back, I really did like the preschool teacher but she too, thought we just needed to battle through the rages to MAKE him stay in time out. The thing is, ds4 does NOT respond to time outs. He rages more. Ironically, he was "good" for his teacher. She held him in time outs a few times and he fought her for a good half hour but then listened to her. It's different for me. He is "safe" at home. When I tried holding him in time out he FLIPPED OUT. He kept saying "You like to hurt me" and "You're trapping me". He's 4! He has a super hard time understanding abstract concepts. He often looks like he "gets" it even when he doesn't. He is constantly taking things the wrong way.</p><p>He is EXTREMELY anxious and sensitive. He took the bus for two days and was harrassed by older children both times! He was also spit at by a classmate in class. </p><p>I don't want him in that type of environment. Sure, he's "good" there and it looks like he's "doing well" but then he comes home and just MELTS. I know my son and I know that it wasn't working despite what the school district might think.</p><p>I wanted him in the autistic preschool program because he has language delays, he is developmentally delayed (not much but in emotional regulation and fine motor). He has a whole slew of challenges but they are just quick to slap an ED label on him because they think it's his behavior that is causing the problems.</p><p>I want to get to the underlying causes. I want to help him in ALL areas. We are currently homeschooling him because I just can't fight with the school district. They want to pigeon hole him and I wont have it.</p><p>I also, however, feel somewhat back at square 1. </p><p></p><p>Any thoughts, input, etc?</p><p></p><p>Also, I started a blog about all of this but not sure if it's ok to post?</p><p></p><p>So glad to be back <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p> Judy (who promises not to lose this site again!)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="judytor, post: 216912, member: 5400"] Please forgive my absence! I don't know what happened but I lost my bookmarks and after looking around for a while, found my way back here. Anyway.....so much has happened since I last posted. We have been seeing that psychiatrist up at UCLA. He is wonderful. He believes ds4 is definitely on the autistic spectrum. He also sees severe anxiety and ADHD. He prescribed Ritalin which was HORRIBLE. Ds4 didn't respond to it well. We then went back to the Lexapro (but at an adjusted dose). We go in in a couple weeks for another follow up. Honestly, I don't see much of an improvement on either medications he's on (Risperdal or Lexapro). We also had him evaluated by the school district again (HUGE FIASCO). The school psychologist that evaluation'd him, told me he was not autistic after 5 MINUTES of being with him. Her reasons? He made eye contact! She refused to put it in the IEP. (even though it was an MD (one who specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)) who diagnosis'd him). Ughhh. They wanted to label him ED. (I said no). They placed him in an ED preschool program (we took him out after two weeks). I loved the teacher but it was clear that a "behavior mod" environment was NOT what my son needed. They school psychiatric said he was manipulating me and he just needed some serious behavior mod. Next we saw our Regional center for an evaluation. (they offer services IF your child is full spectrum autism). They diagnosis'd him with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified (so no services) and also with mood disorder-not otherwise specified and ADHD also separation anxiety. Recently I spoke with a leading researcher in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) who assured me that my son most likely has Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). He fits much of the criteria and it would explain why he is not fitting perfectly into any diagnosis. We are currently reading The Explosive Child and I am hoping to implement that model. Going back, I really did like the preschool teacher but she too, thought we just needed to battle through the rages to MAKE him stay in time out. The thing is, ds4 does NOT respond to time outs. He rages more. Ironically, he was "good" for his teacher. She held him in time outs a few times and he fought her for a good half hour but then listened to her. It's different for me. He is "safe" at home. When I tried holding him in time out he FLIPPED OUT. He kept saying "You like to hurt me" and "You're trapping me". He's 4! He has a super hard time understanding abstract concepts. He often looks like he "gets" it even when he doesn't. He is constantly taking things the wrong way. He is EXTREMELY anxious and sensitive. He took the bus for two days and was harrassed by older children both times! He was also spit at by a classmate in class. I don't want him in that type of environment. Sure, he's "good" there and it looks like he's "doing well" but then he comes home and just MELTS. I know my son and I know that it wasn't working despite what the school district might think. I wanted him in the autistic preschool program because he has language delays, he is developmentally delayed (not much but in emotional regulation and fine motor). He has a whole slew of challenges but they are just quick to slap an ED label on him because they think it's his behavior that is causing the problems. I want to get to the underlying causes. I want to help him in ALL areas. We are currently homeschooling him because I just can't fight with the school district. They want to pigeon hole him and I wont have it. I also, however, feel somewhat back at square 1. Any thoughts, input, etc? Also, I started a blog about all of this but not sure if it's ok to post? So glad to be back :) Judy (who promises not to lose this site again!) [/QUOTE]
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