Hi there:

I was so sad to read your post. Your daughter's symptoms mimic so many disorders, that it's very hard to just say "she has this, or she has that".

You have a lot of evaluating to do.

May I suggest that you have her evaluated for Aspergers. The meltdowns that she has been experiencing, well, that is highly indicative of aspergers.

Believe me, I could write a book on that subject.

But let's not go there, not just yet. Autism is a spectrum. Kind of like a lot of lovely rainbows, and you never know where a child might just fall on that rainbow.

Also, there might be other things going on.

The evaluation process takes a long time. There is no blood test or medical test for autism spectrum disorders.

It takes a very knowledgable person (who specializes in this sort of thing), who can watch and observe your child.

I'd try and hook up with an child aspergers specialist first.

Hope you don't mind this suggestion. I feel that you are reaching out and you really don't know what to do.

Been there, done that.

Think about it, okay??

Best of luck.

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

I'm done with the tears, now i need to focus my attention to her needs and finally get to the bottom of her difficulties.

She is the most important thing right now.....
she is a special girl who deserves some happiness at least now we're heading in the right direction.

I'm scheduled to go back to the specialist on the 14 of april so we'll see what is our next step.

Thanks for all your encouragement.

Family doesn't undestand, they haven't walked in my shoes...not to ,mention that they are five hours away from me.

But i knew you all would understand.
Thanks so much.
Cindy

I'm glad you updated us on what's going on w/Haylee, Cindy!

I really hope this Dr is the ticket to getting her on the best track possible. It's so confusing and frustrating as a parent watching our children go through hard life issues like this, but poor Haylee is living it.

I have a nephew w/Autism, so understand a small bit of your fear and frustration, but like the Dr said~~ time to go forward and do what's best for Haylee. You come back here as much as you need to and Vent. We are here for you....

Thanks MaryAnn,

Your kind words along with everyone else have helped more than you know.

This doctor comes highly recommended and my understanding is that because he was referred to by Haylee's ped.. I don't have to pay.. so that is some comfort..

I will keep you all posted..

Cindy

Just sending hugs from one mom to another.

My DD (as am I) is ADHD. For the record, ritilin made things worse. She would go into huge tantrums that lasted for hours. What I did was started doing behavior modification. No, its not easy. Yes it took years. As a teen she took Adderall as needed for studying and testing, but never daily, and never in the summer. She also was on an AD as a young teen.

IT ENDS

IT GETS BETTER

I now have a 19-year-old, Beautiful, on Dean's list, loving, hard-working child. She is WONDERFUL.

This news will not fix what you endure today, but it offers hope. I have Autistic Nephews, and they are REALLY QUITE and stare into space. Be careful about any DX you get for her. She sounds more like my DD at 7.

Find someone who teaches behavior modification and doesn't want to push drug use on her. For us, the drugs made it much worse, even hysterical.

Good luck and HUGS!

EDIT: PS: The behavior modificatin is for the WHOLE FAMILY. You have to learn new ways to deal with the outburts. Lots of positive feedback. A different way of dicipling...there's alot to it....Mom and Dad have work to do, not just the child. Anyway...if this is the case for your family...I know what you are going thru. Take care.

Sending you hugs. We're here for you whenever you need to express your feelings.

I'm sorry for your terrible ordeal.

What kind of tests has DD had?

Are you confident in the dx?

Or is there one???

Was she, or is she, on any medications that could account for her problems?

I wish I had an answer. Why do they think she is autistic? That seems to be a popular dx, but in your daughters case it doesn't seem (just from what you've mentioned) to fit.

Diane

Cindy,

This a time in our lives if a child of oursis going through things like us it digs into our hearts. This message boards in here for anyone to vent as we need to, we are here to holding each and everyone in our arms. Venting is something that helps, keeping things bottled up can really harm us in ways that will hurt more than help.

We are all here for you. You are in my prayers and thoughts as well as your DD. Here are hugs for you and her.

Keep us informed about how things are going.

This doctor is not a fan of medicating.

He told me that ritalin will not work for her.

He has said that she needs alot of testing...

I will take everyone's advice and be cautious and ask alot of questions, either way it's a long road ahead.

I'm anxious to get started at helping dd have a better quality of life as well as us... taking her out shopping is an ordeal because she will have a meltdown in the store and not care....

I need the tools to learn to handle these meltdowns and how to modify her behaviour...

I am not a fan of medication.... she has already gained 20 pounds on risperidol and she was already overweight...so now i'm more careful...

I am encouraged now that we can help her...


Thanks for all your help
Cindy