CHARGE behaviors

[Guest guest]

-

I sure hope we can eventually get a handle on the " unique bahaviors " of our

CHARGE kids..... will probably be 50 by the time that happens :-),

but the important thing is the discussion that is taking place.

Anyhow, in response to your message, I don't have any breakthrough info on

meds that andrew takes (other than growth hormone) but I can sure relate to

your paragraph on 's behavior:

" Her behaviors include impulsivity (i.e. entering a room and knocking

things off the table because she thinks it is funny) "

This sounds like , he has a weird perspective on humor although it

has improved drastically over the years. Adults now enjoy his sense of

humor.

" perseveration (insisting of talking about the months of the year,

holidays, in the middle of reading a story with her class) "

can do this too. It seems that he must utterly and completely

understand something before he will move on......however, he has learned

over the years to keep it in the back of his mind as he can keep on task

with what he is supposed to be doing.

" and refusing to transition to another activity when she is given

lots of

information to help her anticipate the change "

too, had this problem and still does, but again, this has improved.

As a matter of fact, he has acknowledged to me he hates change and it is

difficult for him. A lot of that is the DeafBlind aspect, but again, I

think it is a CHARGE behavior.

" She will explain why these things are " bad behaviors " and she will

" try

again tomorrow " but she doesn't seem to have the internal " OFF "

switch in

order to control these impulses. " We have tried music, all sorts of

motivating reinforcement, yet she really

seems to struggle with these behaviors. Like many of our kids she

is a

very loving child and a part of me feels that maybe a medication

could help ease these impulses. Another part

of me says, " Don't jump the gun! "

Yes, I wish I could find that internal OFF switch. too gets mad and

impatient with himself for perseverating, bad behavior(little now, but much

more so when he was younger), or just things that he feels " he should know

better " . I know internally, he is working very hard to control his CHARGE

behaviors. We never did medications because we were scared of doing so.

His behavior has improved drastically now that he is 17, but I almost went

nuts in the process.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I would imagine many parents

can relate!

Sally