To Cochran - Re: /was: Hello, I'm returning to Ohio with my autisitc son - resource info requested.

[Guest guest]

Dear - I know you posted this months ago, but for a while there, I had no time to read emails, since I am taking an evening class, work full time and have 3 kids at home. I'm just now glancing over what I've skipped. Have you ever considered hyperlexia? It's not an official diagnosis, but it can be related to the spectrum disorders and NVLD. There is a great group in Chicago - The Centers for Speech and Language Disorders - who are the experts on hyperlexia. We took Bobby there and they did a very thorough job of evaluating him and wrote an extensive report with suggestions for the school on how to teach him. It sounds like your daughter has hyperlexia, and I bet the CSLD would be able to find the "right" diagnosis for her so that your daughter could get the services and support she needs. www.csld.org. Also, to read more on hyperlexia, try www.hyperlexia.org. Hyperlexia can be a stand alone diagnosis. If I can ask, who at Akron Children's Hospital saw your child? We've been there and I can personally testify that while most dr.s at the NeuroDevelopmental Center are great, there is at least one who isn't as great as his reputation. At first, I thought it was us, but then on the akron ASA list, there was a plethora of parents who felt the same way as I do. Just want to make sure you saw one of the phenomenal physicians (Dr. or Dr. Delahunty or Dr. Sand-Loud). Marotta P.S. I'm sorry it took me so long to respond. ----- Original Message ----- From: Cochran Sent: 3/20/2006 11:09:27 AM Subject: Re: [ ]/was: Hello, I'm returning to Ohio with my autisitc son - resource info requested.: Ours was only ever dx'd with adhd. She had many, many more problems than that, verbal apraxia and sensory integration, fine and gross motor problems. However, both times we took her up to Akron Children's Hospital for an evaluation, she did things we had never seen her do, answered questions perfectly, drew a square at 3.5 years. Reminded me of the times I have tried to have paranoid schizophrenics institutionalized. They come into court looking and sounding more sane than anyone else there, lol. Honestly, we left there thinking we were crazy, and, after the second evaluatin when they looked at us with raised eyebrows and asked "Why are you back?" was afraid to take her back in case they would turn us in for Munchausen by Proxy. As it stands now, after chelation, she would only barely meet the criteria for ADD, no more hyperactivity, but she appears to have trouble focusing in large groups where there is a LOT of noise, no problem in small groups. I have even seen her do well in large groups, so don't quite know what we will face when she starts to school. I looked at the ADD checklist and 5 or more, says they should be checked out for ADD, she met 4, maybe 5 critieria, so it is light. Thinking we will try regular kindergarten, she is in regular preK preschool, with 14 other children, 11 of which are very rowdy boys (she likes them the best ;-) and see what we get. We have more time to chelate and are going to start antiviral treatment also. Then if she has too much trouble we will think of moving her to smaller, more intense schooling. Trouble with her is this: and I do mean it is trouble, she taught herself to read at 2.5 years, she is now 5.2 years and reading at a 6th grade level. Her math skills are just as advanced. She knows how to tell time, understands fractions and knows her left from her right (something I only really got a couple of years ago). I have seen kids like this in school and it is a problem, believe me, just as much as if they are behind. I have no clue what they are going to do with her I think we will just sit down with the principal and tell her all; the good and the bad, wish them luck, support them and hope for the best. Any suggestions from anyone appreciated. Anyone ever see a kid like this?? Anyone?? Yes, let me know about future events.