National Blog Posting Month

What disorders are we all dealing with?

Got a group email from Elizabeth regarding this and I thought it would make a good discussion :)

Zachary (age 5) has been diagnosed as ADHD and early onset mood disorders (along with the anxiety that goes along with them). My husband is ADD and bipolar.

We just recently started meds are are doing a lot better!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Karianna on November 1, 2007 at 6:58pm: I have a 6.5 year old who was diagnosed with PDD-nos at age 4; however, his diagnostic category may be slightly different now. (The doctors who first diagnosed him painted a grim picture, saying he would be nonverbal and below-average intelligence; in reality, he is incredibly academically gifted and has no speech problems! His difficulties are with social quirks.)

I have a 3 year old who would probably test positive for ADHD, though we haven't had him formally tested because he is doing fine in preschool and his bubbly social personality is a welcome change from what we went through with our eldest!

Thanks for starting the discussion!
-Kari

(more at karianna.clubmom.com); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cassie on November 1, 2007 at 8:07pm: Hi,
My grandson is 3.5 and was diagnosed at 30 mos with PDD-NOS. One doctor told us the same thing, that he would be non-verbal but the little guy has come a long way. He signs some words and says others and although his pronunciation isn't very sophisticated, we can understand much of what he says. He is a very bright, loving little boy who makes frequent eye contact and becomes snuggly with us. I think that he will always have his quirks and differences. He is our little angel (although not always a very happy one LOL)

My two teenage daughters both have bipolar disorder. The older one has ADD. Both take meds and seem better.

My son was dx'd with ADHD when he was 8. He is 20 and does not take medications because he doesn't believe they work. He struggles a lot with disorganization and poor memory. He's my Albert Einstein.

Nice to "meet" everyone!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Coplan on November 2, 2007 at 12:07pm: In our household we deal with depression, anxiety, OCD and sensory integration disorder. On the Web site A Wild Ride, our contributors are dealing with ADHD, eating disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, oppositional defiance, and No Label Just Often Challenging issues.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sadie on November 2, 2007 at 12:55pm: Hi! My name is Sadie. I have two special needs-ers.

Molly is two and a half. She has Russell-Silver Syndrome (no dwarfism, she's a giant-tall, but super skinny). She is also waiting on her "official" PDD diagnosis. Her geneticist won't give us an official diagnosis until she's three. Until then, he has allowed that she is "highly likely" some form of PDD.

K is one and a half (Yes, I have irish twins). She has Cystic Fibrosis (Hello super-vest), severe hypotonia, a leg-length discrepancy, and needs to be monitored for scoliosis (My mom has it, I have it...and with her left side weaker, she's a prime candidate). We go next month for our final (Lord I hope) "new" specialist, the orthopaedist, to evaluate her need for leg braces.

My eldest is 10 and has never had any special needs except some possible ADHD, that is very minor and requires no intervention at this time (his hardest time is the beginning of the school year...and we passed that bump).

Oh yeah...and my husband is depressive, RSS as well, and possible PDD.

Have I mentioned that I'm hanging onto my own sanity by a little bitty thread?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Coplan on November 2, 2007 at 2:07pm: Sadie:

That you can hang on to your sanity at all is impressive!!!

Elizabeth; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sadie on November 2, 2007 at 2:16pm: Elizabeth,

Some days I wonder if I actually do...or if it's a delusion I've sated myself with *lol*!!!

Sadie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erin on November 3, 2007 at 6:35am: I am a teacher of 3-5 year olds with a variety of special needs. I teach a half-day class for students on the Autism Spectrum which is awesome. My other half-day class I teach students with a variety of needs such as Down Syndrome and visual impairment. I am planning on posting some things this month about the types of interventions I use in my classroom....would love to hear feedback from parents!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Coplan on November 3, 2007 at 9:46am: Erin: I would love to hear some advise for a teacher in the trenches. Will you be posting here or on your Web site?

Cheers,

Elizabeth; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erin on November 3, 2007 at 11:01am: On my website...but I plan on leaving updates here as well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Angstmama on November 3, 2007 at 4:42pm: My son is 6.5 and has high functioning autism. Sometimes I wonder if he has adhd as well. But right now, I am still dealing with all this big time and wondering about all those what ifs. What if I change his diet? Go the medication route? Do more speech therapy? I'm struggling, but I know I've got a great kid and we'll get through these challenges as they come.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christi Stapleton on November 4, 2007 at 6:10am: Hello! Although neither of my children have been diagnosed with anything, my oldest is definitely 'high needs' or 'spirited'. We had to learn how best to deal with him to avoid meltdowns. However, I teach first grade and have a child with multiple disabilities and a child with Asperger's Syndrome in my class. I have a very special place in my heart for all children who have difficulties, hence the reason I joined this group. I taught Visually Impaired students and special needs preschoolers for 2 years as well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linda on November 4, 2007 at 10:11am: Hi! I have two boys and my youngest was just diagnosed with autism at 18 months old. He also has some sensory issues. He has no language skills yet-he says one consistent word (GO!) and other words come and disappear. He doesn't point consistently, so his meltdowns come from making choices or being forced to use language. He then head bangs and throws himself around with no really sense of falling or getting hurt. That part is scary.

We are new to the world of autism, so I am reading, talking with anyone I can find who has experience and waiting on our first therapy to begin. He will receive speech, OT and developmental therapy. We are busily printing out PECS pictures this weekend in an effort to try a new approach to lessen his frustrations.

My blog is about my life in general-mostly my boys and in the mix, I recently wrote my first post about my son's autism. It felt like a weight lifted just from all of people who commented and offered support.

Thanks!
Linda
www.snoopmurph.blogspot.com; ▶ Reply to This