I came to a difficult crossroads in my mind this week. I have had to admit that my two oldest must receive a neurological evaluation as soon as possible. I haven't pursued such an essential step as I suppose (in my mind) it meant that things are worse than they really are, but that is just ridiculous. How else are we truly going to know just what is going on with the workings of their brains if we don't? When we have more pieces to the puzzle the more likely it will be we can complete said picture with the right course of treatment.
Even though the symptoms they display are common to mood disorders in alignment with Bipolar Disorder, and coexisting Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and other major social and behavioral symptoms in common with Aspergers Disorder, finding the correct diagnosis in order to treat them effectively has been like shooting in the dark. We NEED a clearer picture! It was highly recommended this week, by the crisis support team specialist for my daughter, that I make an appointment to have the neurological evaluation done. It was also recommended just last week, by the CSE (committee on special education) team for my son as we hashed out his struggles and strengths in school.
It is not possible to receive an IEP (individualized education plan) without a diagnosis. Determining just what diagnosis would be appropriate for the child in question in order to receive the most appropriate and effective services, yet not attributing a label to them that would be too intense, is a delicate and exhaustive process. For my son, despite the previous diagnosis of bipolar disorder which was given by an independent psychologist, we do not want to label him as ED, or as having an emotional disability in the school system, as that is a heavy label that carries a rather negative connotation. His academic and psychological evaluations have identified definite learning disabilities which are likely due to his emotional difficulties in and out of school. Therefore, for the purpose of developing the IEP he was identified by the CSE as having an "Other Health Impairment". Looking at this, one would have very little idea what is really going on with this little guy! Although I agree with the classification for the purpose of receiving services, it does very little to help the educators in his life know just what works for him. Albeit, the IEP I just received on Thursday, does give a rather clear picture of his academic deficits, his strengths, and his needs. As I've said before, he's a conundrum.
As we look to obtaining the neurological eval for BOTH kids. I am looking more closely at the symptoms they display (although in different ways) that are aligned with the red flags for Aspergers Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. I have done several checklists and quite a bit of research (especially through here: aspergers-society .org) and it saddens me to see how clear it is on paper, but I have not been able or willing to see it, or admit to it till now. At the moment, I feel like I've failed them by not seeing it before. Both of them are extremely intelligent and very talented, yet they lack the social awareness capabilities that children their age usually have. This is not a new thing by any means; they have struggled with these things there whole lives, but I thought it was something I must not be doing right, or that they would grow out of. I thought I should know how to get them from point A to point B and help them over the pot holes along the way. I was a special education teacher for cripes sake! Somehow, my kiddos have faired no better than if I'd never ...
Whatever!
In the process of my never-ending research this week, I took time to listen to Dr Russell A Barkley - Internationally recognized ADHD Expert, teacher, lecturer, and ADHD guru speak on The Coffee Klatch, as well as a few other places. It was interesting to hear his ideas about ADHD and the upcoming changes to the DSM V, regarding emotion and the regulation thereof for individuals with ADHD. You can listen for free anytime here:
Listen to internet radio with The Coffee Klatch on Blog Talk Radio
In addition, as a Mom with ADD myself I subscribe to the network, Mom's with ADD/ADHD. Serendipitously, I found in my inbox this week, a wonderful article entitled, AD/HD and Hypersensitivities: The Princess and the Pea Syndrome. (This I just HAD to LOL@ Remember "Once Upon A Mattress" my high school thespians?!) I did not know just how common it is for those with ADHD to also have sensory issues; I thought it was just me! Although I stumbled across this article for Mom's with the disorder and found it relates to my experiences too. It can certainly be relevant to what my kids are facing as well. This makes me wonder if they are just on the extreme end of this issue and a Sensory Processing Disorder is irrelevant if their symptoms fall under the category of ADHD.
Again, I say, treat the symptoms. What difference does it make how we categorize them? Then again, how can we treat in the most effective manner, without identifying an appropriate category or diagnosis, in order to apply the most scientifically proven effective treatment for our children?
Are any of you out there struggling with ADHD and also have sensory issues or have kiddos who do?
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