I am very glad to join the group - my dd has Aspergers.
Mar 17, 2008

Thank you for joining the group! My Garrett was recently diagnosed with AS. That would explain a lot! This week he was diagnosed with bipolar. His first diagnosis at the age of 5 was ADHD, which he DOES have!!! Everyday is a struggle! Definitely a negative adventure!! It is so painful to watch and figure out how to help. He has become a master manipulater!!
Please share your struggles and all the issues!!
You are so welcome! thank you!
rochelle
Mar 21, 2008

I am so sorry to here that your son now is bipolar on top of AS and ADHD. I do understand your struggles and especially the master manipulator part.
My son had no signs of any problems until he was in 1st grade and everything went down hill from there. Arguing, biting, kicking, and hitting the teachers. We finally got his official diagnosis when he was in 3rd grade and started him on meds and therapy. He progressed nicely until he became VERY allergic to the meds and had to be removed from all of them. He still did very well, his 5th and 6th grade years of school, you would never have known he had a problem. But then came 7th grade (this year) & a new school setting, new teachers, new kids, and being a teenager in general. This has truley has been the toughest year yet. Everyday has been a struggle lately & I don't know what to do anymore. We started working on pages together on here and he started is own homepage, which has seemed to help a little.

Thank you, Stephanie
Mar 22, 2008

oh my! we are working w/ the school to work on a plan,probably tomorrow! at his young age he's a manipulator...if he were older, we'd call him a conman! my son needs to do pages, he likes the ones i've madeof him! he likes the paperbooks i'm making of him too! i know your struggles! please feel free to PM anytime!
than you.
Rochelle
Mar 25, 2008

Glad to be a part of this group. Tho I no longer deal with a child who has AS, I was there for 5 yrs. I was engagd to a man who's son was diagnosed with AS as well as PDD and ADHD. My oldest daughter is Bi-Polar, but doing well at 19.
Apr 6, 2008

My son is in the middle of getting diagnosed. The Pediatrician thinks it might be Asperger's. I am pretty sure he has Sensory Integration Disorder, not sure if that is on top of Asperger's or if it is the only thing. We are currently awaiting a full developmental assessment and the wait is killing me. He just turned 3 and they said it may be up to another 8 months before we get our appointment. Such valuable time being spent waiting instead of acting. It's very frustrating, because without a diagnosis we are basically in a holding pattern. Glad I found this group. Beautiful pages from everyone!!
Apr 14, 2008

bajanmummaofABC so glad you joined the group! Everyday is such a struggle, but now that Garrett is on a new med, things seem to be a lot better, at home and at school. The daily dramas seems to have decreased, even my husband thinks so! Garrett is doing better in school, has just started to learn how to ignore, and walk, get away from troubling kids, is helpful at home in all kinds of ways. Hope this new med continues to work, but we had to go thru a crisis to get there! Is Aubrey in school? I know the struggles so well. It is amazing how this site isn't just about pretty pages, but support in so many ways.
Take one day at a time.

Apr 14, 2008

i'm glad I joined this group Justin was diagnosed 3 yrs ago , they thought he had aspergers but had too many of autism characteristics so that was his diagnosis. Justin is on respiridone for his violent issues and I'm happy to say it is a wonder drug for him. Justin was also diagnosed with adhd 7 mnths ago but those drugs did not work well he wen't totally berzerk wanted to kill himself and me it was so sad to see a 5yr old act like that. He now sees a phsychiatrist because they think he is bipolar also. bajanmummaofABC I know it's hard to wait but, you want the right diagnosis for your son... as for the sensory problems Justin's all 4 are out of wack but with the help of his OT we are dealing with it as best as possible. good-luck to all parents and children who are under the asd umbrella. thanks for letting me vent..it really helps Diane
Apr 15, 2008

No Aubrey is not in school yet. He will start Junior Kindergarten in September 2009. We do however take him to a family centre at my daughter's school 2-3 days a week. It is set up very much like kindergarten, they have story time, gym time, snack time, so it is quite structured. Parents stay the whole time the child is there, and we have seen some marked improvements since he has been going. Just hope we can get our appointment soon and move forward more.
Apr 15, 2008

In the US we have "child find" a federal law, that the local school districts have to share info that special needs children from 0-22, infant stim programs to preschool and on to school age are assessed and placed in programs to help meet their needs. Is there anything like this in Canada? I'm glad to hear that he goes to the family centre, that is a good step. structure is so critical to our kids. keep me informed.
Rochelle
Apr 15, 2008

barla dy, Garrett was on prozac for a short time, and it seemed he grew a tolerance to it, so it was increased, which totally screwed him up, he started showing all the terribleside effects, including wanting to hurt himself. so he's off that and is now on abilify. that seems to be doing well so far. i do understand the bezerk behaviors that these meds do. A year ago he tried 1 pill of stratera...the worst drug i can imagine. he slept the day away, sufferred the worst abdominal cramps imaginable and then just wanted to die! all of you...i would never recommend anybody to ever take stratera. Has anyone ever tried it? was your experience as bad as ours?
Apr 16, 2008

In canada our program is called IEP individual education plan. Justin is already in it he is in SK I was fornuate it was placed last year he goes to a public school but, works at his own pace with his EA she is a GEM
Apr 16, 2008

Yes, our special needs students have IEP's also, in fact I have almost completed writing 3 IEP's for Thursdady and Friday! Been so busy! That is good news for Justin. Remeber, you can always call for an unscheduled review should any new needs arise to make any needed modifications to the plan.
Apr 16, 2008

No Justin has never been on stratera the one drug the new dr wanted him on was ridlin and when that was no good they tried dexedrine so I told the Dr I would not try another one .The respiridone he's been on since he was 3 and I know he will have to change soon at least thats what the Dr. told me. In hamilton we have Contact it deals with kids 6 & up to infinity oh I think I know now here we have Offord and it does the same thing they share all information
Apr 18, 2008

I WISH ALL OF YOU A GREAT WEEK AND MANY GOOD MOMENTS EVERYDAY!
Apr 21, 2008

well, my son has now learned how to ditch class! some days are so frustrating! at least he is going to the adults who are working with him, but he's missing out on instructional time! ouch!
Apr 24, 2008

Oh no, I remember when ditching class was fun as a kid now I would be so upset to find out my kids were doing it! LOL! How times change! Hope this is just a passing phase and he gets back into the swing of class soon!
Apr 25, 2008

thanks! it only lasted a couple of days...and he attended all classes with no outbursts, leaving, etc both Thurs and Fri! he is also taking a tennis class on Friday evenings at our Rec center (tonite) and did well! better than last weeks attitude!
Apr 26, 2008

Glad to hear it went better!!! We actually have a speech and language pathologist appointment finally se up for May 27th, so we are finally getting in motion. Just wanted to update quickly!
Apr 29, 2008

glad to hear the news! can only help! that is a month away, but time is flying! good luck and keep me informed!
Apr 30, 2008

so far so good this has been a good week both at home and at school! I wish you all a great weekend!
May 9, 2008

HAPPY MOTHERS DAYS TO ALL.. Justin had a very bad week at school and at home. He started having accidents all the time and does not want me to leave him..since he had his operation over two weeks ago Ive been with him 24/7 and now it's gonna be hard to get him back to his old routine has anbody else gone through this? we seem to have taken a few steps back but I guess it will take some time for him to ajust again.meet with the school board on thursday to make a new IEP for next year wish me luck take care everyone Diane
May 10, 2008

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! ADJUSTMENTS AND TRANSITIONS ARE ALWAYS DIFFICULT! WHAT IS HE DISPLAYING? IF I KNEW, MAYBE I CAN OFFER SOME IDEAS... HOPE THINGS GET BETTER REAL SOON. WE HAD A GOOD 6 DAYS IN A ROW!!! I THANK GOD FOR ALL HIS GUIDANCE.
ROCHELLE
May 11, 2008

OH... JUST BOUGHT A SMALL TRAMPOLINE FOR GARRETT, MAYBE THAT MIGHT HELP WITH THE ACTIVITY LEVEL, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTROL W/MEDS. JUST AN IDEA. WILL SHARE IF IT HELPS!
May 11, 2008

Thanks he just does'nt want me to leave him ,Today went better at school and at home no accidents yippee and was not a struggle to get him in the school. trampolines are great Justin has one and it has helped him with his balance and walking I hold his hands..and it also gives him a break from wearing his braces, I'm glad that Garrett is doing better it makes life so much easier for them and us hop this week is good for Garrett and Justin take care Diane
May 12, 2008

HI Diane, Glad today was a better day at both home and school. But as you know, everyday is a new experience. We went out to dinner tonite for William's 18th b-day!! (I have a challenge for William's 18th b-day going now), can't believe it, and thankfully Garrett was good. Asked 2 times to leave the table to play the pinball games, kept him there a little while longer, and then he got to go. Today was good at school, as was last week. We even went out Saturday night w/ the boys to a restaurant at the mall, to meet the parents of the girl William is taking to the Prom this coming Saturday. Dave and Busters. Garrett got all our prize tix, and then proceeded to lose the card!! 899 tix! we avoided a meltdown, the hostess was able to look up the card based on our receipt and reissued the 899 tix! I was so greatful! Could have been a really bad scene! Tonite, G even let me read to him 100 pages in a book (he needs to read 1000 by Friday..yeah right!
Hope the week goes well!
May 13, 2008

Please wish William a Happy Birthday from Diane and Justin...
May 13, 2008

I will! Thank you for the good wishes!
Rochelle
May 15, 2008

what a rough week it has been. I don't know how I got through it, but I did. Told my husband to take G to tennis tonite, I need a break. Hope the week end is better, but there is classwork to make up...that won't go over well!
May 30, 2008

I wonder if it's because spring is in the air??? Justin had a hard week also, he was not allowed to enter the school with the other children I had to take him late because he was scaring the other children with his meltdowns... He hurt me and his E.A did not go over too well.. Hopfully monday he will not act up when entering school he really misses his friends..Hope your weekend is going good and good-luck for the week to come..Diane
Jun 1, 2008

Friday night was not good. Saturday got better he worked on some classwork that needed to get done, but still has more...Then today we took him to Disneyland. We had a great day. He refuses to go to his English class, so he needs to talk to his case carrier and see what to do. Two Drs. appts this week...Thank god.
Jun 2, 2008

school was good today! he even did an oral presentation in English class and remained in the classroom. adjusting the meds seem to have helped! oh, G got an A+ on the project! the teacher told me this afternoon! way to go!
Jun 10, 2008

FINALLY! School is OUT!!! Garrett recevied 6 awards at the 7th grade award assembly this morning, and of course remembered my camera 1/2 way to school! Sure glad I had my phone, it has a camera! At the end of the day, of course, a water fight. We went out special last night to get some soakers. We bought a 2 pack in case he gets upset and throws one, or it is stolen from him. Well of course at the very end, some gang of kids, upset him, he tried hitting him with it, they got it from him, and that was the end of the soaker. He was very upset to say the least, I tried to help him, but Oh Boy! these were some of the baddest acting kids I have never seen before. He didn't know then so I guess they were 6th graders. He's home now, summer break, playing on the Wii and relaxing. Tonight is William's graduation from High School in the RoseBowl. Need some time to relax!
Hope everyone is doing OK.
Keep me posted.
Rochelle
Jun 18, 2008

Congratulations to Garrett good for him 6 awards WOW Justin has school till next wednesday.Justin ran out of resperidone for 4 days before his dr filled the prescription but, I called it in a week before I would run out I was not a happy camper poor Jus didn't know what to do his behaviour was so out of control had to pull him out of school. and then I got some very bad news his EA whom I adore is leaving to go to another school.. and summer camp has been cancelled oh no what will I do.. back to the drawing board I guess. Have a fantastic time at Williams Graduation and take care ps: congratulations to William also..Diane
Jun 18, 2008

thanks Diane for your good wishes to William. It went well! marvelous evening! Garrett did well. Just had to reassure him that it will be over just after 9pm, and it was! so sorry to hear what poor Justin has been going thru lately! We had to increase G's abilify, and that seems to be helping a lot. We did this 2 weeks ago! much better days!
I hope they find a good EA for Justin, insist on it. I sure understand the back to the drawing board dilema!
What are Justin's interests? maybe I can think of some ideas.
Rochelle
Jun 19, 2008

So happy to hear it went so well.. got good news also another camp is willing to try Justin out for two weeks.. Justins intersests are swimming, amusement parks, had him in t-ball last year didn't do well at all.. I registered him in swimming for the summer course also.he also loves golf? video games he loves music he has drums,electric guitar and aqoustic and he loves to sing knows all kinds of songs... take care talk soon Diane
Jun 23, 2008

Garrett likes the idea of golf. Is there a driving range nearby, where he can go and just hit balls? Swimming is great! Garrett lives for video games. He has guitar hero, and is getting some bounce into his playing. Amusement parks are expensive. Is he interested in the computer? Let me keep thinking. take care. I will talk to you soon. Rochelle
Jun 24, 2008

Garrett has attended 3 Merit Badge classes for the Boy Scouts, we can't sit there and monitor him, and he has been doing well! He has volunteered for 8+ hours at the local food bank, and did well!! (he was watching the clock, however~doing 2 hours at a time) but evenso, he says he had fun sorting and packaging food for the homeless and needy! We are so pleased with his efforts, and he seems to be doing so much better since the stress of school is off his shoulders!
How is everybody else doing? Well I hope!
Keep in touch!
Rochelle
Jul 19, 2008

Garrett had his Bar Mitzvah yesterday and did a fabulous job! Just wanted to share our joy!!
Aug 17, 2008

oh YUCK! school will be starting in 1 week. I hope this school year goes better than the last one! I just dread it all!
I hope everyone had a good summer. Keep us updated on how things have been going with the family!
Rochelle
Aug 28, 2008