Introduction

[Guest guest]

These links may help. Pam

IEP Planning Report

IEP ChecklistCreate a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.

[Guest guest]

A wonderful place to read more about IEPs is www.wrightslaw.com

When writing goals, always be mindful of how you are going to measure this goal. What is the baseline, what method will be used to take data on this goal and then, of course, reporting goal progress should be easy if the first two are done properly. Also, make sure all goals have either the appopriate accommodation attached or the necessary teaching attached. And goals need to be specific so that you can do the above things.

So for instance, you might have someone write a goal like, "Danny will behave in class 4/5 times." That is not an acceptable goal! You need to define what behavior he is doing that you will be working on (say, inability to stay in his seat, for example), have a baseline (he currently gets out of his seat 10 times per hour in class), state how this is going to be worked on (accommodation - give him a sensory box - or teaching - social stories and 1-1 instruction from ST in appropriate classroom behavior, 1-1 aide, cueing from teacher using a visual on his desk to remind him...or any or all of the above...) and how they will be taking data (teacher will have a tally sheet, star chart will be utilized as a visual progress for Danny and ST will report on individual progress in 1-1 session...) yadda yadda yadda. So the goal might be written, "Danny currently leaves his seat 10 times per hour in the classroom setting due to sensory needs and attention deficits. Given 1-1 instruction in appropriate classroom behavior, a sensory box and instruction for using it and a star chart for successfully remaining in his seat, Danny will stay seated in class." The accommodations and teaching could be listed as the methods underneath the goal instead of in the goal. Or the objective might be that he does not get up more than 8 times, 5 times, 3 times - as objectives throughout the year. This is just an example off the top of my head. What I like to do in preparing for an IEP is that I sit down and write the PLOP (present levels of performance) as I see things. Write one up listing all the good and bad about your child's ability to learn and use information. Then it becomes "obvious" what he needs help with. You go through your PLOP and pull out things you want them to work on or areas you want him to improve in = those become the goals.

How do you feel he will best learn and reach those goals? That becomes the teaching or accommodating or both. And of course, get data for a baseline because how else will you know if he is learning and succeeding? You won't. You will get papers that will say, "Student making adequate progress" which is such a meaningless sentence. So figure out the baseline, how best they can take data on the goal and how you want to get progress reports from them (i.e., send home a copy of the data each Friday or once a month or each quarter - whatever is appropriate.)

I know I rambled here so if I was not clear, feel free to ask me to explain it better. For some reason, my brain is fried lately....ugh..

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Introduction

Hi,My husband and I have an 8 year old son with Asperger's. He is in the first grade and has really struggled this year. The expectations at the beginning of the year were so stressful that he regressed to behaviors we hadn't seen in a couple of years (laughing inappropriately, wetting his pants several times per day, repeating words and phrases over and over, etc.) Eventually he was hospitalized because we too were overwhelmed by the sudden regression and the schools hideous response to his behavior. The hospitalization was the worst thing we have ever done. After returning to school, they insisted that he be moved to a full day special education classroom for behavior management. It was supposed to be a temporary move but here we are in late March and he's still not back in regular education for more than a couple of hours per day. We are scheduled to have an IEP meeting in a couple of weeks. I'm determined to advocate better this time. I have an advocate attending with us but I'm looking to better education myself regarding IEP goals and such. Are there any good resources for educating yourself about how to identify and write goals? Would anyone be willing to share an IEP?Thanks for any help,Tonya

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone: Just wanted to introduce myself as I'm new to the group, (but not to Aspergers!) as of today. I'm mom to an eleven year old boy who was diagnosed with Aspergers at 5 1/2, anxiety at 6 and ADD at 7. Up to now, with the help of a great support staff at school, meds and good therapy, he's been doing very well. But, in the past six months, he's lost two very close friends, simply because they chose not to play with him anymore. From talking with the mothers of these other children, they assure me that my son did nothing wrong in the friendship. In the first case, the friend was an eleven year old girl, who simply is choosing not to play with boys anymore (understandable!). But this second friend has been my son's best friend for four years. The other boy suddenly met a new friend and

decided that my son and him no longer share the same interests and dropped him cold. While my son is handling this well, (not happy about it) I'm a mess! We are new to our neighborhood, (well, we've lived here almost two years now) and there doesn't seem to be any boys his age for him to meet, and although I encourage him to invite other boys over from school, he chooses not to. We tried social skills groups..he hated them. My son prefers to read, watch tv, and play Nintendo. And he seems happy, alone. So, my question for you parents: How do you, as the parent, reconcile in your heart your child having no "friends" and being dropped by the two he really liked, and being content to be alone most of the time? I have signed him up for some fun classes

revolving around his interests (drama and mysteries) over the summer, so I'm hoping he might make some connections there..He will start middle school next year (new school, a lot more kids) so maybe that will help. Are friendships this difficult for your children? Is my heartbreak and anger and worry about this situation going overboard? It seems to be affecting me more than him. LOL! Thanks so much in advance for your help,

[Guest guest]

Amy -

I don't have any answers for you, but wnated you to know you are not alone...  I

have a 30 month old little girl who has yet to say a word, she is in PT, OT,

ST.. SLOWLY making progress but nothing I can see.. She has the open mouth

posture, drewls like crazy, bad tongue thrusting when she eats, on and on and

on.. We have no diagnosis as of yet either.. First it was developmental delays,

then her Neurologis told us Autism, then her dev. ped told us it was not autism

and we are running Genetic tests.. She is VERY engaging and loves to play with

cousins, friends, baby brother, etc... She is very smart and knows A LOT of what

we are saying - ask her to do something and she will do it (go get your milk,

get me the pants, etc.).. She just can't express/vocalize things back.. She also

has really bad fine motor skills - again she knows what to do but physically is

not always able.. So I know how you are feeling and I " m in the same place you

are... I am still

readint the late talker and have just started her on the 3-6-9 Complete (or

whatever they are called!).. I haven't really seen anything yet, but i just

started her on WEd.!   I'm hoping for a miracle cure, but not counting on

it...

Your email looks familiar - where do you live?

  Cristal

gtzellner@...

[ ] Introduction

Hello,

I am new here. I just finished reading The Late Talker and thought I

would check out this site...Glad I came. Looks like there is a lot

of info to be shared as well as much needed support. We have no

diagnosis for my daughter yet. She has always had a lot of

difficulty with her mouth. She has mild low muscle tone throughout

her body and moderate low facial muscle tone. She has always carried

an open mouth posture and forward tongue protrusion. She has a very

high pallet and even some extra teeth. Needless to say her mouth is a

mess. (plus she knocked out a front tooth when she fell in December :-

( We have been to many many doctors. As an infant we saw a

neurologist, several ENT (because of her mouth issues and eating

difficulties, a geneticist and most recently a developmental

pediatrician. We are very frustrated because we still have no

answers. At 14 months EI evaluated her and she received PT, OT, and

ST.....OT(for mostly vestibular sensory issues) and PT for the mild

low muscle tone. Both only lasted about 4 or 5 months. ST continues.

As a baby I always thought she would just have articulation issues.

As she has gotten older (she is now 34 months) we have become more

aware that her difficulties are much bigger. Still without answers I

don't know how to help her to the best of our ability. She has only

qualified for articulation therapy for ESE preschool next year. I

will push the developmental ped. for more therapy as well. In the

last few months she has started saying many single words. Very

unclear but she says them. Occasionally she tries to make a 2 word

combo and this is when her difficulties really became apparent. She

can say " shoe " she can say " off " but to say " shoe off " is hard. It

comes out very jumbles. Is this an example of apraxia? She has

motor planning issues. Her previous speech therapist said to me one

time it is sort of like Apraxia but not exactly (whatever that

means)

She also informed me she thought my daughter had some processing

issues. She does have some strange behaviors. A humming stem that

drives me insane :-) and a little bit of repetitive issues with

doors, drawers, etc....I am unsure of where the line fore Sensory

Processing Disorder ends and autism begins. She is engaging, often

answers her name, loves playing with her siblings, etc.... She

appears to know many things too. She can count and identify numbers

to 10 and go higher with help. She can identify her letters and tell

you most of their sounds that they make. She knows colors, shapes,

etc.... Her receptive language is lagging. Maybe because of

processing issues? I do notice sometimes I may say one word and she

thinks I have said another word that phonetically is very close. I

guess I am rambling here. I am unsure of where to begin to get her

the help we desire. It has been 2 years and still no big answers. I

think if the next developmental pediatrician appt ends up being a

dead end I will seek a private speech therapists evaluation. We

started my daughter in school in February. It was the best decision

we have made yet. This is when her labeling explosion really

started. I have not talked too much with her new ST about what he

sees as going on. I believe she needs OT for sensory/motor planning

and fine motor skills issues ...and... language as well as

articulation therapy. I have her on Omega 3-6-9 junior from Nordic

Naturals but am considering switching to ProEFA after reading the

book. The only comment the developmental pediatrician made was to

get an MRI (next week is when we go), talked about some scary nerve

graph and jaw surgery stuff (her chin is recessed), and he said " well

she is not hopelessly autistic " (whatever that means)....I feel

confused and unsure about where to go and how to help my daughter

best. Sorry if this is jumbled and confusing. Just wanted to give

some overview info and see if anyone here has any words of

advice/experience with similar issues. TIA! Amy

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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[Guest guest]

I just joined this group, can someone guide me to what 3-6-9 Complete

is?

Zita

[Guest guest]

Omega 369 and ProEFA are both fish oil and both the same. I bought my

first bottle of Omega 369 at Whole Foods when I first joined this

group. It was around 17 dollars for 60 capsules? I then found a

ProEFA special with free shipping for around 20 dollars a bottle and

ProEFA comes with 90 capsules.

http://www.shop-in-service.com/proefa.htm Did you read The Late

Talker? That's how I found this group and learned about fish oil.

Kate

>

> I just joined this group, can someone guide me to what 3-6-9

Complete

> is?

> Zita

>

[Guest guest]

...

Welcome to the group. You and your wife sound like amazing people and your

daughter is very lucky to have you on her side. This group will help you with

all your questions...some have had amazing results with the combination of

enzymes and supplements...as well as be a great support for the ups and downs

that go with our special children.

Good luck to all of you.

Carla

Introduction

Hi everyone,

My family and I are new to the whole enzymes thing, so let me tell you the

Reader's Digest version of our story. I also have a question, but I will

post that separately.

Our daughter, a, is adopted. She is biologically my niece and we

know a little about her history as a baby. Micki (as we like to call her)

did not have any vaccinations before the age of two. She had a few issues

(seizures, mild CP), but mostly she was a normal little girl. At the age of

two she was enrolled in a program to help her with her issues, but to do so

she had to catch up on her shots. So anyway she received a bunch of shots

all at once. Soon after that she regressed. She had a neurologist at the

time that said that she would pretty much be in an almost vegetative state.

(So much for doctors)

At the age of two and a half she was removed from her birth parents home due

to drug issues. She went to live with grandma and grandpa. Grandma was

awesome. She got Micki into a good early childhood education program and

took her to all of her doctors visits and therapy visits. She was able to

almost completely overcome her gross motor issues. The same neurologist

above then said that he did not know what her potential could be, but was

glad to see how much progress she had made.

At the age of four Micki's birth parents rights were terminated and she came

to live with my wife and I. We followed up with what Grandma did and got

her all the help that we could. She never really had a diagnosis of her

problems that really fit. The truth was that we had doctors that were

afraid to say the A word. We got things like autistic movements and crap

like that. We kept pushing though. We did a lot of internet research. We

felt that Autism really fit. We just could not get a doctor to say those

words. Through a kind therapist we were able to get an evaluation at JFK

Center in Denver. We went up for the evaluation, then a couple weeks later

went back for the news. We could tell that the doctors were kind of bracing

as they got ready to tell us that, guess what, she has Autism.

From there nothing really changed school or therapy wise. The school

district we were in was the school district from hell. One of the excuses

that we were given as to why they would not implement something we asked

about was " We don't have the money for that " . We would come home from IEP

meetings crying.

We tried the GF/CF diet for a year and did not see any results.

We packed up and moved to land for a better job and hopefully a better

school district. Well we got both.

About a year ago we started B6 at the suggestion of a great lady at the

local health store. First just B6 then switched to SuperNuThera. Micki has

made quite a bit of progress. She is more aware and has better eye contact.

Last week I was doing some research at work during some down time and

started reading about enzymes. I decided to give my wife a copy of some of

the articles that I was reading. When I gave it to my wife she told me that

she had just got a message from someone on another board that asked if we

had tried enzymes. That was too much of a coincedence for us. We went out

the next day to our health store (the same one as suggested B6). They

suggested a broad spectrum enzyme. Micki has been taking one 2-3 times a

day since.

My wife and I have just started reading the Enzymes and Autism book. We

have only finished the first chapter. We are really hoping that this will

help our sweet daughter out.

Okay, so much for the Reader's Digest version. Sorry for the novel. Again

I will post my question separately.

--

in MD

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we

prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our

children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their

sins.

(Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:26)

[Guest guest]

Hi Mina,

I know I said "hi" earlier but I am just now getting to your OP here. If you have any questions or want to chat about things, just feel free to post anytime. My kids were not close in age so I did not have to deal with it "all at once" in the way that you are. One of my ds's has hyperlexia and all 3 of our ds's were speech delayed as well. The potty training was behind and all the fun stuff like that.

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Introduction

Hi there,I'm Mina, mom of 4, married to and living in MD. My two middle children, and Owen, are suspected of being HFA, but neither has an "official" diagnosis. They are both hyperlexic and speech delayed, and shows the social traits associated, with Owen not showing as much socially, but some of the body movement associated with Autism. We're taking the steps needed to help them along, (IEP in place for , and Owen will have an IEP in place shortly before his next birthday, as he's currently in the Infants and Toddlers program.) Both appear to be way above average in intelligence, which is why we're thinking it's HFA.I guess I joined not only to get some more information about HFA, but also to just talk to other parents who "get" what I'm going through right now. Toddlerhood/Preschool age kids with HFA can be challenging, and to have two at about the same age with similar issues makes it even more so. And I'm tired of feeling like a bad parent because they aren't potty trained, or because they don't listen, or because they do any of the things that they tend to do. I'm tired of people blaming their behavior on either my parenting OR on their "personality", rather than realizing that they are not experiencing the world and society in the same way as other people. And actually, I just FINALLY got my husband to accept that the two boys most likely ARE HFA, rather than just that I can't control them. His point was that they were smart, so there was nothing wrong with them. And actually, I don't see anything "wrong" with them...just different. But at the same time recognizing the ways in which the boys are different will help us and the people around them help THEM succeed in life.Anyway, that's me and my kids in a nutshell. My oldest shows no sign on HFA, and will be starting kindergarten next fall, and my youngest, a girl, seems to be progressing normally, while the other two were "different" at a young age (before a year). Hopefully she'll continue to progress at a normal rate.So, I hope to get to know everyone and be able to contribute to the list.Thanks,MinaMina SmolinskiMommy to: 9/25/02 5/13/04Owen 7/1/05Lila 3/3/07

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I too am reading Enzymes for Autism. I read Enzymes for Digestive Health and

Nutritional Wealth, but when I learned that the 3rd edition of Enzymes for

Autism contained new information, I bought it, too. I also bought Our Starving

Brains but have yet to start it.

Best of luck!

Dana C. (One of many Dana's)

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " Wilhelm " <mickisdaddy@...>

Hi everyone,

My family and I are new to the whole enzymes thing, so let me tell you the

Reader's Digest version of our story. I also have a question, but I will

post that separately.

Our daughter, a, is adopted. She is biologically my niece and we

know a little about her history as a baby. Micki (as we like to call her)

did not have any vaccinations before the age of two. She had a few issues

(seizures, mild CP), but mostly she was a normal little girl. At the age of

two she was enrolled in a program to help her with her issues, but to do so

she had to catch up on her shots. So anyway she received a bunch of shots

all at once. Soon after that she regressed. She had a neurologist at the

time that said that she would pretty much be in an almost vegetative state.

(So much for doctors)

At the age of two and a half she was removed from her birth parents home due

to drug issues. She went to live with grandma and grandpa. Grandma was

awesome. She got Micki into a good early childhood education program and

took her to all of her doctors visits and therapy visits. She was able to

almost completely overcome her gross motor issues. The same neurologist

above then said that he did not know what her potential could be, but was

glad to see how much progress she had made.

At the age of four Micki's birth parents rights were terminated and she came

to live with my wife and I. We followed up with what Grandma did and got

her all the help that we could. She never really had a diagnosis of her

problems that really fit. The truth was that we had doctors that were

afraid to say the A word. We got things like autistic movements and crap

like that. We kept pushing though. We did a lot of internet research. We

felt that Autism really fit. We just could not get a doctor to say those

words. Through a kind therapist we were able to get an evaluation at JFK

Center in Denver. We went up for the evaluation, then a couple weeks later

went back for the news. We could tell that the doctors were kind of bracing

as they got ready to tell us that, guess what, she has Autism.

From there nothing really changed school or therapy wise. The school

district we were in was the school district from hell. One of the excuses

that we were given as to why they would not implement something we asked

about was " We don't have the money for that " . We would come home from IEP

meetings crying.

We tried the GF/CF diet for a year and did not see any results.

We packed up and moved to land for a better job and hopefully a better

school district. Well we got both.

About a year ago we started B6 at the suggestion of a great lady at the

local health store. First just B6 then switched to SuperNuThera. Micki has

made quite a bit of progress. She is more aware and has better eye contact.

Last week I was doing some research at work during some down time and

started reading about enzymes. I decided to give my wife a copy of some of

the articles that I was reading. When I gave it to my wife she told me that

she had just got a message from someone on another board that asked if we

had tried enzymes. That was too much of a coincedence for us. We went out

the next day to our health store (the same one as suggested B6). They

suggested a broad spectrum enzyme. Micki has been taking one 2-3 times a

day since.

My wife and I have just started reading the Enzymes and Autism book. We

have only finished the first chapter. We are really hoping that this will

help our sweet daughter out.

Okay, so much for the Reader's Digest version. Sorry for the novel. Again

I will post my question separately.

--

in MD

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we

prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our

children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their

sins.

(Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:26)

[Guest guest]

Another great book is by Dr Bock HEaling the New CHildhood

Disorders: Atusism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies

Also there is a nice support group in the DC Metro area (MD/VA) of people

who do biomedical treatments (including but not limited to enzymes) so if

you are interested in learning more about that contact me off line

Josie

www.leadingorganicskincare.com

Certified Organic Products for the Whole Family

[Guest guest]

Did you say that your OB ordered LDN?? if so, that's wonderful! This is the first time that I have heard of an OB doctor ordering it!

I don't have fertility problems - I am on this list for my my daughter,she uses LDN for Crohns.

I wish you the best of luck!!

Blessings, a

[low dose naltrexone] Introduction

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site, but a few days ago I was

prescribed LDN for fertility reasons.  I also have fibromyalgia, so as I

said to the doctor, one cure for multiple ailments sounds good to me! J

Just wondering what some stories are of the

folks who are on this group – I am in my late® 30’s J and

trying to conceive for about 3 years – went with all of the artificial

stuff with no one giving much notice to my fibro or to what was actually

happening inside me!  This new OB is into

identifying what is causing me fertility issues, so he initially hooked me into

NaPro and tracking my cycles.  After a few, he recently saw me and noticed

that I probably have some ovarian dysfunction, coupled with the fibro and some

anxiety issues – I, apparently, am a perfect candidate for  LDN.

Just wanted to know if there was anyone else in

similar situations or I guess, really, what everyone’s situation was!

Thanks,

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughter was on LDN for PCOS and she got pregnant after only just a couple of months. Also, she has been holding the baby even after getting off LDN after she found out she was pregnant. She is doing great at about 3.5 months now. Some people have stayed on LDN throughout the pregnancy and done just fine. My daughter did not want to try it though.

I will send you some posts regarding pregnancy and Fibro.

Welcome

Aletha

[low dose naltrexone] Introduction

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site, but a few days ago I was prescribed LDN for fertility reasons. I also have fibromyalgia, so as I said to the doctor, one cure for multiple ailments sounds good to me! J

Just wondering what some stories are of the folks who are on this group – I am in my late® 30’s J and trying to conceive for about 3 years – went with all of the artificial stuff with no one giving much notice to my fibro or to what was actually happening inside me! This new OB is into identifying what is causing me fertility issues, so he initially hooked me into NaPro and tracking my cycles. After a few, he recently saw me and noticed that I probably have some ovarian dysfunction, coupled with the fibro and some anxiety issues – I, apparently, am a perfect candidate for LDN.

Just wanted to know if there was anyone else in similar situations or I guess, really, what everyone’s situation was!

Thanks,

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[Guest guest]

It's normal for friends to change direction. It's sad that he's lost two friends, though. They are hard to come by!

I understand how you feel. But again, the way we view the situation and the way our ds's view this are not the same. Still, I would do what you are doing - sign him up for some summer interests and hope he meets new friends this way.

How do I deal with this? I sometimes just cry about it and other times, I remind myself that friendship is different for them - they have different needs and a harder time making friends also. Right now my 11 yo wants friends and can't make one to save his life. That is a lot more difficult to deal with as a parent, I think. When they cry, it really rips your heart into tiny pieces. So just encourage doing social things like you have planned. I think that's the best thing you can do right now!

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) RE: Introduction

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to introduce myself as I'm new to the group, (but not to Aspergers!) as of today. I'm mom to an eleven year old boy who was diagnosed with Aspergers at 5 1/2, anxiety at 6 and ADD at 7.

Up to now, with the help of a great support staff at school, meds and good therapy, he's been doing very well. But, in the past six months, he's lost two very close friends, simply because they chose not to play with him anymore. From talking with the mothers of these other children, they assure me that my son did nothing wrong in the friendship. In the first case, the friend was an eleven year old girl, who simply is choosing not to play with boys anymore (understandable!). But this second friend has been my son's best friend for four years. The other boy suddenly met a new friend and decided that my son and him no longer share the same interests and dropped him cold.

While my son is handling this well, (not happy about it) I'm a mess! We are new to our neighborhood, (well, we've lived here almost two years now) and there doesn't seem to be any boys his age for him to meet, and although I encourage him to invite other boys over from school, he chooses not to. We tried social skills groups..he hated them. My son prefers to read, watch tv, and play Nintendo. And he seems happy, alone.

So, my question for you parents: How do you, as the parent, reconcile in your heart your child having no "friends" and being dropped by the two he really liked, and being content to be alone most of the time?

I have signed him up for some fun classes revolving around his interests (drama and mysteries) over the summer, so I'm hoping he might make some connections there..He will start middle school next year (new school, a lot more kids) so maybe that will help.

Are friendships this difficult for your children? Is my heartbreak and anger and worry about this situation going overboard? It seems to be affecting me more than him. LOL!

Thanks so much in advance for your help,

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[Guest guest]

Uh, Liz? Can you please not go skiing anytime soon? <g> Holy Cow! How do you break ribs when cross country skiing???? I hope you are feeling better soon.

RoxannaAutism Happens

Re: ( ) RE: Introduction

Hi ,

I wish I had some great advice for you. We signed our son up for gazillions of courses, workshops, you name it. He never made friends there. He usually had one friend, sometimes two, through junior year of high school. By his senior year, his good friend had graduated, so he was on his own and getting bullied pretty badly. In college, he never really connected with anyone. He was well respected for his intellect, and was always chosen to be part of groups for group projects.

We're going to try him in a 3-week summer program for Asperger's young adults in western Massachusetts, called the Aspire Program. They go to community college, and are taught social skills, daily living skills, have psychotherapy, group therapy, tutoring, executive function coaching, etc. If the summer goes well, he'll continue into the fall. I have hopes for this program.

We had birthday partes for him until he was quite old. We held them at the lazer tag arena, and invited lots of kids. They all were happy to come, and seemed to like . Everyone seemed to have a good time, and they were happy to play lazer tag. You might try inviting kids to *do* something like that, rather than just come over to your house and hang out. Lazer tag is kinda loud, with flashing lights, so maybe that wouldn't be your son's choice. They could go to a museum or a movie. You could come up with a list of things and they could choose. Just some random thoughts while strung out on painkillers. (Broke a couple of ribs while cross country skiing a couple of weeks ago. ugh.)

Liz

On Apr 14, 2008, at 3:44 PM, Schmalz wrote:

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to introduce myself as I'm new to the group, (but not to Aspergers!) as of today. I'm mom to an eleven year old boy who was diagnosed with Aspergers at 5 1/2, anxiety at 6 and ADD at 7.

Up to now, with the help of a great support staff at school, meds and good therapy, he's been doing very well. But, in the past six months, he's lost two very close friends, simply because they chose not to play with him anymore. From talking with the mothers of these other children, they assure me that my son did noting wrong in the friendship. In the first case, the friend was an eleven year old girl, who simply is choosing not to play with boys anymore (understandable!). But this second friend has been my son's best friend for four years. The other boy suddenly met a ne w friend and decided that my son and him no longer share the same interests and dropped him cold.

While my son is handling this well, (not happy about it) I'm a mess! We are new to our neighborhood, (well, we've lived here almost two years now) and there doesn't seem to be any boys his age for him to meet, and although I encourage him to invite other boys over from school, he chooses not to. We tried social skills groups..he hated them. My son prefers to read, watch tv, and play Nintendo. And he seems happy, alone.

So, my question for you parents: How do you, a the parent, reconcile in your heart your child having no "friends" and being dropped by the two he really liked, and being content to be alone most of the time?

I have signed him up for some fun classes revolving around his interests (drama and mysteries) over the summer, so I'm hoping he might make some connections there..He will start middle school next year (new school, a lot more kids) so maybe that will help.

Are friendships this difficult for your children? Is my heartbreak and anger and worry about this situation going overboard? It seems to be affecting me more than him. LOL!

Thanks so much in advance for your help,

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.13/1375 - Release Date: 4/12/2008 11:32 AM

[Guest guest]

Oh, you do that by going down an icy hill. Snow plows (what you do with your skis to slow you down going down a hill) don't work too well on ice). I went flying flat on my chest -- right on my skis. Ouch! Fortunately, we're down to bare grass here now. No more snow. LOLLizOn May 6, 2008, at 9:20 AM, Roxanna wrote:Uh, Liz? Can you please not go skiing anytime soon? <g> Holy Cow! How do you break ribs when cross country skiing???? I hope you are feeling better soon. RoxannaAutism Happens

[Guest guest]

OHMY!!!! OUCH!!! Luckily, you can't do it again anytime soon.

RoxannaAutism Happens

Re: ( ) RE: Introduction

Oh, you do that by going down an icy hill. Snow plows (what you do with your skis to slow you down going down a hill) don't work too well on ice). I went flying flat on my chest -- right on my skis. Ouch! Fortunately, we're down to bare grass here now. No more snow. LOL

Liz

On May 6, 2008, at 9:20 AM, Roxanna wrote:

Uh, Liz? Can you please not go skiing anytime soon? <g> Holy Cow! How do you break ribs when cross country skiing???? I hope you are feeling better soon.

RoxannaAutism Happens

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[Guest guest]

My son was dx'ed at 2.5yrs with ADHD, then Bipolar then PDD-Nos and then Aspergers. It will all depend on what the docs want to see at the time of testing I think...On Sun, May 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM, <Bacasa3@...> wrote:

Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process of having evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially diagnosed with ADHD -- officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he started showing signs of " something " when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is currently on Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be things going on with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the ADHD (although I could be completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that seem to fall into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a few. Basically, what I'm wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were initially diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area and has any recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate that as well. We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and I can't say I've been overly impressed so far.

I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now all of you. Thanks!

Debi

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[Guest guest]

Hi Debi & welcome. We are about 30 miles from Pgh. was first dx'd with ADHD & given Ritalin at the Rango Bldg in Oakland across the st from Children's Hospital.. But we weren't sure about that Dx's so we continued to seek another Child Psych then was evaluated & watched over & asked questions from us & him for an hour. We did a (check the box) test & so did his teachers. He wouldn't make eye contact & the other children ran away from him in the school yard. He was then Dx'd with Asperger + Bipolar (like his mother & other Grandmother.) He is now 16. He is in 10th grade making A's & B's. Last week we had his IEP & we heard excellent comments from all the teachers & Principal about how well he is doing & all the kids really like him. The was awesome to hear. Take care,Betty (Grittle to ).Bacasa3@... wrote: Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process of having evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially diagnosed with ADHD -- officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he started showing signs of "something" when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is currently on Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be things going on with him that I wouldn't think

would be caused by the ADHD (although I could be completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that seem to fall into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a few. Basically, what I'm wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were initially diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area and has any recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate that as well. We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and I can't say I've been overly impressed so far. I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now all of you. Thanks! Debi Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. Take care, Betty

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Debi. I have a son who will

be 18 in 10 days. He was diagnosed with ADHD at age 5 and Aspergers at

15.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Bacasa3@...

Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:47

AM

To:

Aspergers Treatment

Subject: ( )

Introduction

Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to

all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, and I have an 8 year old son, Austin,

whom we are in the process of having evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially

diagnosed with ADHD -- officially about a year and a half ago, although I think

he started showing signs of " something " when he was probably around 3

or 4. Austin

is currently on Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems

to be things going on with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the

ADHD (although I could be completely wrong). I won't go into the list of

symptoms that seem to fall into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a

few. Basically, what I'm wondering at this point is how many of you have

children who were initially diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in

the Pittsburgh

area and has any recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd

appreciate that as well. We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and I can't

say I've been overly impressed so far.

I'm looking forward to being part of this

group and getting to now all of you. Thanks!

Debi

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new

twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[Guest guest]

Debi,

Welcome to the group! I'm sure you will find, as I have, that this

group is a wonderful source of information and friendship.

I have two children with Asperger's & ADHD: ds is 6 & dd is 5 both

were diagnosed with Asperger's first, then the ADHD. But they have

been in treatment programs since they were about 18 months & 2 years

old. We knew something was wrong with both of them. Their diagnosed

went like this: first, sensory intergration, PDD-NOS, then

Asperger's. My ds had six evaluations done in 1 year, my dd has had 5

evaluations. Both are very intelligent, thus the Asperger's

diagnosis. Through the evaluation process they both were also

diagnosed with ADHD. Neither are medications for the ADHD as they

have had allergic reactions to each one tried. My dd has seizures so

it's hard to find an ADHD med that doesn't increase the seizures. My

ds is on risperdal for his aggressive behaviors and it has helped him

very much. We use alternative techiques/therapies to help them focus.

Well, enough about us. To answer your question: my children were not

diagnosed first with ADHD, but were first diagnosed with things

within the autism spectrum first. Glad you're in the group.

Connie

>

> Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name

is Debi,

> and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process of

having

> evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially diagnosed with ADHD -

-

> officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he started

showing signs of

> " something " when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is

currently on

> Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be

things going on

> with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the ADHD

(although I could be

> completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that seem

to fall

> into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a few.

Basically, what I'm

> wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were

initially

> diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area

and has any

> recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate

that as well.

> We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based

facility and

> I can't say I've been overly impressed so far.

>

> I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now

all of

> you. Thanks!

>

> Debi

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists

on family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

[Guest guest]

Debi,I work with a great neurologist in Tampa, Florida. My son is 4 almost 5 his name is also Austin. LOL. Anyway he is Asperger and ADHD which is very common within the Autism spectrum. He is on 1MG/ML of Risperdol and 1 MG of the Focalin which is better than Strattera when it comes to side effects. You can research this online I did. With the combination of both medications my son just tested out of Occupational Therapy and his Speech therapist just said the medications just gave Austin another year ahead. Very Shocking results with the medications combined. We have done therapy for years and it has helped and we did not come to the decision of medication until now and I am glad we did. It doesn't solve everything but boy oh boy what a difference the combination has made with no side effects. There are possible side effects to all medications and I looked these up before going to the neurologist. Just a heads up on the Risperdol we slowly built this

medication into our sons system like .10 week 1 .25 week 2 and so forth to reach the .50 twice a day it seemed to work better with the gradual dosing. Check into it with your neurologist. I would be very careful with the Strattera I have heard bad things about it like a 9 year old committed suicide on it, thats why we went with Focalin least amount of side effects. Do the research online I did and found what I was looking for. Here is our Neurologist information Dr. Ferreira (Child Neurologist)Tampa, Florida 508 S Habana Ave Ste 340 Pediatric Epilepsy/neurology Tampa, FL 33609-4191813-875-6422Hope this helpsAda TickleBacasa3@... wrote: Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process of having evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially diagnosed with ADHD -- officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he started showing signs of "something" when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is currently on Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be things going on with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the ADHD (although I could be completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that seem to fall into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there

are quite a few. Basically, what I'm wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were initially diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area and has any recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate that as well. We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and I can't say I've been overly impressed so far. I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now all of you. Thanks! DebiWondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hi Debi,

To share a tiny

slice of our spectrum pie, our son, now 9.5 (we also have an 8 y/o girl with

autism/aspergers – a whole nother ball of wax), in hindsight, there were

hints of aspergers, like when he was 1.5 and I asked him to lay down (to get

his diaper changed) and I told him, “lay down, you know the drill”,

he got all choked up and said, “you’re gonna get daddy’s

drill???!”, but I believe so many start out with adhd dx because up to a

point, normal interactions are parallel play and so much can just be sloughed

off as immaturity and because the inability to focus is the first thing a

teacher notices. Handwriting immaturity is often not a red flag as it

should be, imho. He was suspected ADHD as early as preschool, by his

teacher, but none of the doctors we took him to until this year would consider

trying meds, and certainly no one, including me had considered aspergers.

Those behaviors don’t seem to come apparent until the gap between them

and their peers becomes blazingly evident. Even still, my son’s

aspergers isn’t totally stereptypical or severe as you read in the books –

however it is just as invasive. His obsessions are sporadic and he seems

to be able to control when and where he obsesses about what – SOMETIMES.

He is learning that one friend really is tired of pokemon, however when he is with

someone who really likes it, his obsessiveness and need to be right comes out

so very strong and if he is interrupted briefly during one of his informative

talks, it is like a deer in the headlights, because he can’t switch train

of thought. I have come to believe that is why playing with more than one

friend at a time can be so difficult, unless they are all on the same subject.

The other early-on symptom was what I now know understand more about is, he had

to be right or doing the right thing – however so did everyone else in

the room. He got a horrible reputation of tattling/reporting. We also

couldn’t sit through any show on tv without a lot of explaining why

things were funny. He has come a long way. We are currently working

on better understanding when others are interested and when not to pursue play

with them.

Welcome,

Regina

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Bacasa3@...

Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:47

AM

To:

Aspergers Treatment

Subject: ( )

Introduction

Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to

all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, and I have an 8 year old son, Austin,

whom we are in the process of having evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially

diagnosed with ADHD -- officially about a year and a half ago, although I think

he started showing signs of " something " when he was probably around 3

or 4. Austin

is currently on Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems

to be things going on with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the

ADHD (although I could be completely wrong). I won't go into the list of

symptoms that seem to fall into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a

few. Basically, what I'm wondering at this point is how many of you have

children who were initially diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in

the Pittsburgh

area and has any recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd

appreciate that as well. We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and I can't

say I've been overly impressed so far.

I'm looking forward to being part of this

group and getting to now all of you. Thanks!

Debi

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new

twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[Guest guest]

Hi Debi,

And belated Happy Mother's Day to you too.

Our ds who is 17 now was about 7 or so when he was diagnosed with

ADD (didn't have the hyperactivity part).

But as the years went on, it was apparant that

he didn't have the social skills to make friends.

And he also had problems with his small motor skills.

He knew he was different and he wasn't like other kids,

and we started to see it too.

It can be a stressful time for you, and I wish you luck.

Sorry I can't help with a facility for you, as I am in New Jersey.

Sharon

>

> Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name

is Debi,

> and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process

of having

> evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially diagnosed with

ADHD --

> officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he

started showing signs of

> " something " when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is

currently on

> Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be

things going on

> with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the ADHD

(although I could be

> completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that

seem to fall

> into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a few.

Basically, what I'm

> wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were

initially

> diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area

and has any

> recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate

that as well.

> We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based

facility and

> I can't say I've been overly impressed so far.

>

> I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now

all of

> you. Thanks!

>

> Debi

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists

on family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

[Guest guest]

My son is 14 he is not diagnoised with aspergers but I believe he does have it. He is just not functioning age appropriately. He cries at inappropriate times like if I change his room around or ask him to clean it and yet when he broke his arm never cried or took an asprin for it. Can't stand sheets on his bed, long sleeve shirts and especially sweaters. Can't really make friends with anyone in his age group. I was wondering he seems to suffer from depression and despair is that a common part of it too. I am worried about him. any thoughts?smitch458 <smitch458@...> wrote: Hi Debi,And belated Happy Mother's Day to you too.Our ds who is 17 now was about 7 or so when he was diagnosed with ADD (didn't have the hyperactivity part).But as the years went on, it was apparant thathe didn't have the social skills to make friends.And he also had problems with his small motor skills.He knew he was different and he wasn't like other kids,and we started to see it too.It can be a stressful time for you, and I wish you luck.Sorry I can't help with a facility for you, as I am in New Jersey.Sharon>> Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, > and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process of having > evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was

initially diagnosed with ADHD -- > officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he started showing signs of > "something" when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is currently on > Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be things going on > with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the ADHD (although I could be > completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that seem to fall > into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a few. Basically, what I'm > wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were initially > diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area and has any > recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate that as well. > We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and > I can't say I've been overly

impressed so far. > > I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now all of > you. Thanks!> > Debi> > > > **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family > favorites at AOL Food. > (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debi,

Welcome to our group! Feel free to join in anywhere!

I think being dx'd with ADHD is fairly common for kids with AS. Seems like a lot of people come here after going through various other dx's that don't seem to fit everything. Other dx's include ODD or bipolar as well.

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Introduction

Hi everyone (and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies!). My name is Debi, and I have an 8 year old son, Austin, whom we are in the process of having evaluated for Aspergers. Austin was initially diagnosed with ADHD -- officially about a year and a half ago, although I think he started showing signs of "something" when he was probably around 3 or 4. Austin is currently on Strattera, which seems to help a little. But, there seems to be things going on with him that I wouldn't think would be caused by the ADHD (although I could be completely wrong). I won't go into the list of symptoms that seem to fall into the Aspergers diagnosis, but there are quite a few. Basically, what I'm wondering at this point is how many of you have children who were initially diagnosed with ADHD? Also, if anyone is in the Pittsburgh area and has any recommendations for a good facility for treatment, I'd appreciate that as well. We're currently going through a University of Pittsburgh based facility and I can't say I've been overly impressed so far.

I'm looking forward to being part of this group and getting to now all of you. Thanks!

Debi

Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1427 - Release Date: 5/11/2008 1:08 PM