unable to sleep

February 22, 2008

Well it's 3am here, and I cannot sleep. I have so much on my mind so I

figured I would send you all some more information, mostly to vent.

Today is the day that I go down to Westgate for the so called re-

evaulation for Autism for the schools sake. I guess I'm just anxious, I

don't know. Then Monday I have to take her to see the Endochronologist.

She has gained some weight though. She had been wearing size 5t,

finally moved up a size. About time since she will be 11yrs old 4/1/97.

However, I think she needs to have a BM. Her little belly is swollen.

I've been giving her Miralax constinally. After reading the problems

withe Beth, I called her Dr. today. She has never been to a GI, so

hopefully she will refer her to one.

Let me ask you all a question. Is there a difference in ASD and Autism

or is that just the abbrevations for it? Does anyone else take Zoloft

and Tenax for behavior problems? a does and it seems to be

working well. I was just wondering if they worked for your child too.

To tell you a little something new about a 10/DS/Austism. She

recently started a new little habit. Whenever we get home from going to

a store, she absoutlty refuses to get out of the truck until all bags

have been removed from the truck. (makes more trips for momma) I have

to tote her to the porch- because she can't stand nothing to touch her

feet. Sorry the post is so long, just had a lot on my mind.

Stella

February 22, 2008

Good Morning Stella,

I believe all of us Moms have been where you are. I know I

certainly have. Sounds like your daughter has a lot of things going on right

now.

To answer your question, autism is autism. However, that being said asd is

called autism spectrum disorder because there are children who do well

academically but not socially or maybe can not speak so they are considered on

the

spectrum and not moderately or severely impaired by autism. Some children

may be pdd pervasive developmental disorder but usually- eventually if they

really have autism then will get that diagnosis. This is what the docs and the

psychologist have told me and what I have read. Aspergers syndrome is

considered asd, a lot of times these kids are verbal and pretty much normal

except for some social issues and maybe some behavioral issues and usually do

pretty well academically. Al lthis being said,you can goggle and get more

information from the autism society. Which should not have any here says advice

like mine. Hardy ha ha

I was told my daughter had plain old autism, nothing fancy, no

spectrum etc. There is some controversy among specialist and parents about the

whole spectrum thing however. I knew though what they were going to say when

they did, I knew she did not have pdd(she may have been diagnosed with this

when she was under 5 if someone had), and I knew she did not have asperger's,

mainly non verbal and academics are not something that interest her so much

right now. We have seen a developmental pediatrician as well, who wanted to

medicate for her behaviors, such as hitting herself and throwing things down

she does not want. But I said I wanted to wait and see if we could not learn

to control it with therapy.

I am hoping that we can find something for her soon with this. Oh

look at me, talking about my needs. You asked about your daughter. I'm sorry,

I'm rambling.

I hope your daughter gets the diagnosis she needs. It was bitter

sweet for us but I knew it was for the best. Her school placement in an

autism

classroom is far better than anything we experienced before. It was a

literal hellish nightmare last year in a TMD classroom with an awfull teacher

etc.

Don't get me started.

Anyway, pray and hope for the best and try to get some sleep

sometime so reality does not get distorted. Sometimes we dont' see things

clearly and don't have the strength to deal properly with daily challenges if

we

have not had enough sleep. I know you know this. Take care, I'm here if you

need me.

**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/

2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

February 22, 2008

So sorry you couldn't sleep. We all have those nights sometimes; it seems like

the things we just deal with during the day can bite us big time in the darkness

and solitude of night. Hoping it's better tonight.

ASD stands for autism spectrum disorders, which includes the whole spectrum -

PDD-NOS, Aspergers, autism, and a few others. doesn't take Zoloft; he's on

Abilify. Thankfully with none of the side effects discussed here recently. Like

a, is tiny. He's 8 and wears a 4/4T size. He's doing much better

since his impaction passed. For him, higher doses of Miralax worked. He still

has nausea in the morning, though, and I'm giving him Miralax now when he goes

more than 3 days without a BM. So far, so good.

gets weird obessions like a's truck refusal, too. To go to bed, he

requires a very specific order of recorded and sung music at bedtime, for

example. Also time consuming. At least I enjoy music. Usually the phases have

passed after a few months. Hang in there. Hope the eval went well.

Beth, mom to , age 8, with DS, autism, and a leukemia survivor