Question for parents of teens with ds

February 8, 2012

Karrie is now 15, soon to be 16. Over the past few months, she has been

demonstrating more and more upsetting behavior. She's spending more time wanting

to be alone, either in her room or watching her tv/movies in her room

downstairs. At first, I wrote it off to the fact she's 15.

But now she talks to herself, not in just one voice, but in 3 or 4, holding full

converations with all the " people " joining in. She is scripting almost

constantly at night. I've had to come to the school more and more often because

she starts crying and can't get herself back under control again.

I heard someone screaming while Karrie was at speech therapy today. After a few

seconds, I dawned on me that it was Karrie. She's never done this! She was

sobbing hysterically and nothing could calm her down.

I finally did calm her enough to get her out of there. In the car, I was talking

to her about needing to talk about things that might be bothering her. She

blurted out, " I can't learn like other people. I'm stupid " . I told her that I

know and everyone who knows her understands that she tries her best. But that

sometimes, because she has Down syndrome, she might not be able to do something

she's trying to do. I told her that no one can do everything. I talked about all

anyone wanted her to do was to just do her best.

She is now in her room, playing music on her CD player and seems calmer.

How in the heck am I supposed to handle this?? I feel like I'm letting her down.

I did make an appointment for her with the child psychiatrist she used to see.

This is the one who dx'd her with mild autism.

Suggestions on what to do? What to say?

Sue mom to Kate 22 and Karrie 15 w/ds and autism

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