Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Misty, Welcome to the group. Sounds like you have your hands full! I'm in northern Connecticut. Can't help you with an OK referral, but Connecticut funds town by town " Youth Service Bureaus " . Each town has somewhat different resources and focus, but some provide family therapy with therapists who specialize in working with kids ages 0-18 yrs. The services are free to town residents (at least in our town). Not sure where exactly you'll be relocating (assume near the shore). But if you google " ct youth service bureau " plus the name of your town, you'll be able to see what services your town's YSB provides. Some nearby towns may service surrounding towns. So you may want to google more than one town (e.g. Groton, New London, etc). Good luck! > > Hello, > I just joined and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some help. We still have a few months before we will be moving to Connecticut. Thanks!! > > Misty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks , this is very helpful. We will be in the Groton/New London area. I will definitely do what you suggested once we get there. My husband is already there, we're just waiting for our house to sell here in OK and then we'll join him. Thanks again, Misty ________________________________ To: Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 11:57:50 AM Subject: Re: New member Misty, Welcome to the group. Sounds like you have your hands full! I'm in northern Connecticut. Can't help you with an OK referral, but Connecticut funds town by town " Youth Service Bureaus " . Each town has somewhat different resources and focus, but some provide family therapy with therapists who specialize in working with kids ages 0-18 yrs. The services are free to town residents (at least in our town). Not sure where exactly you'll be relocating (assume near the shore). But if you google " ct youth service bureau " plus the name of your town, you'll be able to see what services your town's YSB provides. Some nearby towns may service surrounding towns. So you may want to google more than one town (e.g. Groton, New London, etc). Good luck! > > Hello, > I just joined and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some help. We still have a few months before we will be moving to Connecticut. Thanks!! > > Misty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Misty, You will be moving close to me. About a 45-50 minute drive!!! I thought I had my hands full with two kids with OCD and othe diagnosis! Welcome to the group. I'm glad you joined. I think you'll find this group very helpful and supportive Hugs Judy ________________________________ To: Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 1:29:26 PM Subject: Re: Re: New member Thanks , this is very helpful. We will be in the Groton/New London area. I will definitely do what you suggested once we get there. My husband is already there, we're just waiting for our house to sell here in OK and then we'll join him. Thanks again, Misty ____________ _________ _________ __ From: lmatheos <lmatheosyahoo (DOT) com> To: @ yahoogroups. com Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 11:57:50 AM Subject: Re: New member Misty, Welcome to the group. Sounds like you have your hands full! I'm in northern Connecticut. Can't help you with an OK referral, but Connecticut funds town by town " Youth Service Bureaus " . Each town has somewhat different resources and focus, but some provide family therapy with therapists who specialize in working with kids ages 0-18 yrs. The services are free to town residents (at least in our town). Not sure where exactly you'll be relocating (assume near the shore). But if you google " ct youth service bureau " plus the name of your town, you'll be able to see what services your town's YSB provides. Some nearby towns may service surrounding towns. So you may want to google more than one town (e.g. Groton, New London, etc). Good luck! > > Hello, > I just joined and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some help. We still have a few months before we will be moving to Connecticut. Thanks!! > > Misty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Misty, Have you read any books on children with OCD? There are a few out there that are very helpful. " Freeing your child from OCD " by Tamar Chansky is good. Another really good one in my opinion is " What to do when your child has OCD, " by Aureen Pinto Wagner. Check into the files sections of this group and you will find tons of information on so many topics relating to OCD. Your doctor will probably want to start with CBT therapy and if necessary add an SSRI. Try to take it one step at a time, especailly having more than one child with this. Keep us all posted and we are all her to help. Hugs Judy OCD and panic disorder Mom to Brittany 13-no diagnosis 12, OCD, bipolar and PDD-NOS iel 7, OCD, bipolar(possible Aspergers-- going into partial hospitalization and it will be determined) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Welcome, Misty. You sure have your hands full. We are a family that has one son with OCD and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). I know how stressful that has been, so can only imagine the stress you are under. Our son's therapist thinks our son might also have mild Aspergers (probably not enough to fit the criteria for a diagnosis though), which I've often suspected. He takes things very literally, and has been hyper focused on certain things throughout his life, which seem to be characteristics of it. As you probably know, despite it being called OCD, they do not get obsessed on things they like, so that made me wonder, with him, if he could also be dealing with Aspergers. With OCD their obsessions are on things that are disturbing to them. There's also been differing opinions about whether he might have mild TS. It's never been completely determined if his tics are from his OCD or possible mild TS. We were in a similar situation with insurance benefits and a qualified therapist. Anyone (and there are only a few in the state we live in) who specialized in treating OCD, who knew how to use CBT/ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy / exposure and response prevention) correctly and successfully, AND worked with kids, did not take insurance. So, our insurance would cover them, but only after we met a $1500 deductible. After that was met, they would only pay about half of the cost. That ate up our savings pretty fast. Eventually, though, the psychologist's office started taking one insurance company, (not ours). That opened the door for us to go to our insurance company and negotiate a " single case agreement " . Of course, the therapist had to agree to that too, since he would take less pay. We had to prove that all the in-network doctor's did not supply the correct type of therapy. Many used CBT, but not specifically to OCD, and none had a clue what ERP was. That is huge! They need to know and understand how to use ERP, so they can guide your child through it to overcome their obsessions and compulsions. I would disagree that your daughter is too young for therapy for her OCD. All the books I read about OCD, says they are not too young for treatment. In fact, doing the correct therapy while they are young can be best for most, before the rituals become ingrained and harder to overcome as they age and deal with them year after year. Our son, (now 17), was a lot like your 8 year old. He had symmetry and numbers going through his head. He was always evening things up. He did the same as you mentioned where if he bumped one side, he would have to bump the other, before he could move on. He had some compulsions that caused anxiety, yet some that just needed to " feel right " before he could move on. The therapy helped him move past both, but he overcame the ones that needed to " feel right " the easiest and fastest. We've also been through the hand washing stuff. And our son had horrible bathroom issues at one point too. We've found that his OCD has morphed over the years. Some things would come and go, others would leave and never return, yet even other things would crop up anew, over the years. Even as he has worked through many things while working with his therapist, new things would come up. We found it would often be the same obsession manifesting itself in a new way, so they would have to fashion a new way of confronting it to get it to calm back down. I can tell you that game playing and " talk " therapy does not work with OCD. We've been there. For years we went that route, not knowing any better, and trusting doctors who said they knew how to treat OCD. We wasted a lot of time and money. Only CBT/ERP has been proven to help OCD. Once we found a therapist who used it successfully, the rituals started falling away, after years of dealing with them. We are also a homeschooling family, which has been a huge blessing over the years of dealing with OCD. The medication which is used to help with OCD, is the SSRI antidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Luvox, etc). I understand your husband's reluctance to use them. I hated the idea of it too, but our son got to the point of not being able to function and had to take medication to be able to function. The first line of treatment is the correct therapy though. And if it is done correctly, it can be as effective as medication, without the side effects. It can make positive, permanent changes to the brain, as they retrain their brain. For some, however, the anxiety they have with the OCD is so high, they are unable to confront the OCD using ERP, which is needed to improve. So the medication can bring the anxiety down to a level where they can do the work needed. Our experience is that the medication brought the anxiety down, and even quieted some of the thoughts associated with our son's OCD, but he still did many rituals, which the therapy took care of. You can do CBT/ERP at home, and some do who do not have a good therapist available to them. There are some great books that can walk you through it. They are . . . Talking Back to OCD by March Helping Your Child With Ocd: A Workbook for Parents of Children With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Lee, Ph.D. Fitzgibbons and Cherry Pedrick Another couple of books that we loved that helped us to understand OCD better are. . . What to do when your Child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strategies and Solutions by Aureen Pinto Wagner Ph.D. Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Powerful, Practical Program for Parents of Children and Adolescents by Tamar E. Chansky If you decide to confront the OCD, using ERP, there are a couple important things to know. First, the child has to be willing to do it. In order for it to work, they need to be on board, mentally, and willing to do the work required, otherwise it can become a battle and make things worse. If they are not willing to fight the OCD, they will instead fight you to hold on to the OCD. That has been our experience. Secondly, you need to have them make a hierarchy list, where they list all the things they are dealing with OCD-wise. They rate them from least bothersome to most worrisome. They start working on the easiest thing, and work their way up from there. They gain confidence as they go, which will give them the courage to take on the harder stuff later. For most, if they try to dive into the harder stuff first (which tends to be the most disruptive in their lives), it can be too overwhelming and it will cause them such anxiety that they will cease to not try. They will have some discomfort, most likely, regardless, as they use ERP, but if they choose the pace to where they are challenged, but not overwhelmed, they should be able to overcome things. In the mean time, while you are working up the list, you sometimes have to just accommodate some of the compulsive behaviors, until they get to that point of being able to work on them. Some places to try, to find a therpist is the ocfoundation.org. They have doctors listed by state there. You will have to call and confirm they use CBT/ERP though. Just because they are listed there, does not mean they are good. But, there are some good docs there too. Also you can try anxiety clinics. Since OCD is an anxiety disorder, they often know and understand how to treat it correctly. When we were searching, I also called and emailed OCD groups within our state and asked if they could recommend anyone. They were very helpful. Glad you found us and are here, Misty. If you have any questions, jump right in. Many in here are glad to share what has worked for them. ) BJ > > Hello, > I just joined and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some help. My name is Misty and I have four children. My 11yo daughter has Asperger's, mild Tourette's, OCD, Executive Dysfunction, Synesthesia, and Hyperlexia. My 8yo daughter is in the process of being evaluated by a psychologist, but I predict either Asperger's or PDD-NOS, along with OCD. My 5yo daughter has a diagnosis of Asperger's, ADHD, OCD, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. My 2yo son is also on the spectrum and is being evaluated by a psychologist. I'm sure he is probably Aspie as well. We just learned that our family is affected by all of this last year, but my oldest has had her TS & OCD dx since she was 8. > > As for why I've joined this group.. I am getting quite desperate. My oldest daughter was referred to a psychologist again last year (a new one since we've moved since her original dx) to help her with her OCD. But he informed us that he doesn't work with children and all he could do was evaluate her and confirm the dx. So he gave her the whole work-up and then we were left at square one again... a dx, but no help treating it. Our insurance company is very picky about who we see, so I can't just take my daughters to anyone. I have to go to someone on their list. > > As for their symptoms... My 11yo is a hoarder (she even collects things like milk caps and toilet paper tubes). She cannot throw anything away. She also has fear of contamination from food and germs. She cannot do dishes because she cannot touch other people's plates.. She cannot touch tissues (even clean ones), and she cannot sit in another person's chair because " they eat weird things " . Weird to her is a hamburger or hotdog or mashed potatoes. She has severe food texture sensitivity and won't eat meat or anything mushy. And she can't even sit next to someone who is eating these things. She also spits constantly. Even in the house. I am not sure if this is OCD or a tic, but I feel that it is from her OCD. She started out by only spitting outside. She did this for about two years. She cannot swallow her saliva and feels she needs to spit it out. I think she felt like her saliva was too dirty to swallow when she was > outside. In the past 3 months, she has started spitting in the house as well. She spits everywhere, and I just cannot take it anymore. She tries to hide it and she denies that it was her when I make her clean it up. Then she says she can't help it. She says it is a tic, but I'm not convinced. I think it's OCD. I know spitting can be a tic, but this just feels like OCD to me because I feel there is an obsession (dirty thoughts) before the compulsion (spitting). What do you think? > > My 8yo daughter has issues with symmetry and numbers... If she bumps her leg on the couch, she has to go back and bump the other leg in the same way. If she bites the inside of her cheek, she has to bite the other side the same way. She has to walk an even number of steps when crossing our living room floor. If she counts an odd number, she has to go back and take an extra step to make it an even number. She started doing somersaults across the floor to avoid counting steps, but then she started counting somersaults as well. > > My 5yo daughter does tapping/touching rituals. She has to tap things and touch things symmetrically. If she turns a light switch off, she has to tap it with both hands. If she makes contact with anything, she has to touch it with both hands, usually tapping twice. She was even doing her elbows and bottoms of her feet for a while. So if she bumped a door frame or something, she had to stop and tap it with both hands, both elbows, and then both bottoms of her feet. If she didn't get it right, she had to redo it. She usually touches/taps with the backs of her hands because she also has a severe fear of germs. She washes her hands constantly. I've even seen her get out of bed in the morning and walk straight to the sink to wash her hands. We constantly put lotion on her hands, but they are still so dried out. They feel like an alligator. She was referred to a counselor to help her with her OCD, but he told me that CBT would not help > her at this age. He said he could play some games with her and talk with her, but he wanted me to step out of the room while he did this. I did not feel comfortable with this since she is so young. The counselor and I both agreed that the counseling probably would not help much anyway since she is so young and in her own world so much (she talks AT us, but doesn't really talk WITH us much). So we stopped going. She does go to OT once a week, but they work on fine motor skills mostly, along with some sensory therapy. > > I have been considering medications for a while now, but my husband has strong opinions against medicating children and hasn't really taken the time to educate himself on this issue. He is a very busy Naval Officer, in charge of many people on a submarine, so he doesn't really have the time. We are a homeschooling family so these issues don't really spill over into a classroom setting. But they are hard to live with at home and I'm sure my daughters would like some relief. What would the medication of choice be? I'm tired of going to dr. after dr. only to be told they cannot help us. > > My husband and I both have some sort of OCD. He has OCPD and is an extreme perfectionist in every way. He cannot even stand to see a crooked staple. I have " pure obsessional " OCD where I obsess over conversations in my mind, even uneventful conversations. I replay them over and over and over again. I have Asperger's so I do this to reassure myself that my Asperger's didn't " show " or that I didn't take something too literally, or say the wrong thing, ramble too much, etc. My husband has a few Aspie traits as well, but not as much as I do. I guess this is why it's all so strong in our children. > > Any advice concerning medications or what I can be doing at home with my girls to help them overcome their OCD would be greatly appreciated. Also, we live near Oklahoma City right now (moving to CT soon though) so any doctor recommendations for this area would be wonderful. Specifically psychiatry so we can consider meds, but also any psychologist who will work with children would also be great. We still have a few months before we will be moving to Connecticut. Thanks!! > > Misty > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks Judy.. Right now I'm reading " Helping Your Child with OCD " . I will look into the other books you mentioned. I also have anxiety and panic disorder and take SSRI's (Paxil). Thanks for your support. Maybe we'll get the chance to meet after we get moved. Misty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Hi Misty, welcome! Glad you found our group, it's been my best support for the years! I'm a single mom, 3 sons, all pretty much grown now I guess. One son, , has OCD, dysgraphia and HFA/Aspergers diagnoses. His OCD began in 6th grade, had his tendencies before that (tracing over letters, reassurance questions, etc.). He's 20 now. Other sons are ages 20 (twin, not identical) and oldest soon will be 24. I joined this group not long after 's OCD began. also used to hoard but it wasn't anything particular. He just wanted to (or HAD to) save all his school papers or other that he would get; would save candy, not eat it but no one else could have it either...what else? Can't recall now but he still has problems getting rid of papers he " has " to save. He also had food sensitivities like with texture, which included meat. Really had a limited diet when younger, could count on both hands the foods he would eat, not many. Happily, not a problem at all these days. His motor skills were behind too, awkward, etc. His OCD began with lots of compulsions, touching, rituals...a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do them plus he had to get that " just right " feeling, which could have him repeating or touching for hours sometimes! Fast forward to the present, his OCD is mainly bad thoughts, scrupulosity/religion related. Though he always had a " touch " of scrupe before but not a problem (he was the kid I always asked what happened to get at the truth of a situation with my 3 sons!). Spitting -- would your daughter keep " something not germy " with her to spit into, throw away? You mentioned no tissues, are wash cloths something (not to throw away) she can handle? My 3 sons each went thru a spitting stage, drove me crazy. Not so much spitting in the house but all the time outside (something got in my mouth...can't swallow it). Meds - we've only used one prescription and that was Celexa. I will add that a doctor mentioned to me that it had worked well for those with Aspergers and OCD, so just saying that might be the first you try if you pursue them. Worked well for except for some tiredness, he began to nap in the afternoons. Initially also had trouble getting to sleep but that passed. The medications for OCD affect everyone differently so unfortunately it can be trial & error to find the *one* that works well with no unwanted side effects. Before trying Celexa we used inositol powder (in B vitamin family) and that worked for him for quite a while. Again, no one med/alternative works for everyone, so sort of 50/50 chance when you try something. Tried inositol again this past year, no help at all. Some others have felt it helped with OCD, some no effect at all. We've had some recent posts on the subject of inositol powder, you can look back at the info. > > Hello, > I just joined and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some help. My name is Misty and I have four children. My 11yo daughter has Asperger's, mild Tourette's, OCD, Executive Dysfunction, Synesthesia, and Hyperlexia. My 8yo daughter is in the process of being evaluated by a psychologist, but I predict either Asperger's or PDD-NOS, along with OCD. My 5yo daughter has a diagnosis of Asperger's, ADHD, OCD, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. My 2yo son is also on the spectrum and is being evaluated by a psychologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 That would be very nice!!! It sounds like we have alot in common!! Hugs judy ________________________________ To: Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 3:11:08 PM Subject: Re: New member Thanks Judy.. Right now I'm reading " Helping Your Child with OCD " . I will look into the other books you mentioned. I also have anxiety and panic disorder and take SSRI's (Paxil). Thanks for your support. Maybe we'll get the chance to meet after we get moved. Misty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Hi again, Misty. ) Our son has vocal tics. They come and go (been here much more in the last couple of years though), and have been around, on and off, for years. From what I've read about TS, I suspect my husband has it mildly too. And I'm sure Josh's grandpa does with eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, and face grimacing. I'm trying to remember if I knew that about Aspergers (tics). lol My brain is not firing on all pistons today, been fighting a migraine all day here. So, I'm glad what I said earlier to you made sense. <grin> It gets confusing when you are dealing with more than one thing, huh. Trying to separate what can be attributed to what is even hard for the experts, at times it seems. Josh isn't as hyper focused as he was when he was young. Do you know if it can get better with age? But. . .Omygosh, we went through things where he was so obsessed that it was all he talked about. Toilets and vacuums were two biggies. He was spelling vacuum names when he was 3. He would collect pictures and would even draw pictures of them over and over. If we went in a store we would have to go to the vacuum department so he could check them out. But, if one got turned on, he would freak. He was also fearful of toilets being flushed, but if they weren't being flushed, he was overly interested, once again drawing pictures and spelling the brand names. I don't know it if was his way of coping, or Aspergers. Can they be obessessed, yet also fearful of a component of the item with Aspergers? Just curious. He didn't seem disturbed by his obsessive thoughts, but rather seemed to like them despite being freaked out about certain parts of it. I know with his OCD and GAD thoughts, he would have done anything to avoid them, they were so upsetting to him. He takes things very literally, at times, yet he also seems to pick up on social cues. He gets " the joke " , and is even usually the one to make a quip and who has people laughing. He doesn't have any problems with friendships and even has quite a few friends. He seems to be able to talk of other things, but if you get on something he is hyper interested in, then he can talk you under the table. He sometimes seems like to me that he is talking a bit monotone, yet other times not. I've even wondered if the literalness is something OCD is causing him to do, by breaking it all down and analyzing it. So, I'm not sure what to think. He's been obsessed with computers and programming since he was 7. And he is currently taking a computer programming class where his teacher thinks he is awesome. lol Let's just say he is really excelling. lol Yet, he doesn't go on an on about it when talking to others, probably because he gets that nobody understands him, since he is literally speaking another language (the language of technology). With Aspergers are they able to control their need to talk about it, nonstop? I have a nephew that I really suspect has it, but has only been diagnosed with OCD. He seems to be unable to control his need to talk about what he is currently obsessed with. He, unfortunately, has no friends, other than our son, because he goes on about his obsessions. It's heartbreaking. Okay, sorry for all the questions, just curious. . .Although, I'm not aware of anything that can be done to improve things for Aspergers, so would it just be they would have another label? <sigh> Thank you, also, for the info, Misty. ) BJ > > Thank you, BJ... This is all so very helpful. I have not read a lot about OCD (been busy with reading about Asperger's, etc.) but I am reading Helping Your Child with OCD right now. I'm learning quite a lot from it. I am going to do some more searching for a therapist who can help my girls... I'll look for some local groups and try to find a professional that way and I'll also look at the website you mentioned. > > About the Asperger's... You explained the difference in Aspie obsessiveness vs. OCD quite well...We recently had this discussion on another group. Also, about the tics... Many Asperger kids have tics, but they are usually somewhat mild. Some qualify for the Tourette's diagnosis, like my 1st daughter. My 2nd daughter has a motor tic, but I don't think she would qualify for TS at this point because she doesn't have vocal tics. I would look into Asperger's a little more for your son. The anxiety and obsessive, hyperfocus nature is usually a strong indicator. How is he with friendships? My oldest daughter makes friends quite well, but she tends to talk about her obsessions too much. I think if she went to public school, she would have a pretty hard time with friendships. She only sees her homeschooled friends about once a week. > > Thanks again for all the wonderful info and support. I'm going to save your e-mail and refer back to it. > > Misty > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Thanks for the welcome and advice, Chris. I think I know you from somewhere... Is it the WTM boards or one of the Asperger groups? Thanks again, Misty ________________________________ To: Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 3:05:51 PM Subject: Re: New member Hi Misty, welcome! Glad you found our group, it's been my best support for the years! I'm a single mom, 3 sons, all pretty much grown now I guess. One son, , has OCD, dysgraphia and HFA/Aspergers diagnoses. His OCD began in 6th grade, had his tendencies before that (tracing over letters, reassurance questions, etc.). He's 20 now. Other sons are ages 20 (twin, not identical) and oldest soon will be 24. I joined this group not long after 's OCD began. also used to hoard but it wasn't anything particular. He just wanted to (or HAD to) save all his school papers or other that he would get; would save candy, not eat it but no one else could have it either...what else? Can't recall now but he still has problems getting rid of papers he " has " to save. He also had food sensitivities like with texture, which included meat. Really had a limited diet when younger, could count on both hands the foods he would eat, not many. Happily, not a problem at all these days. His motor skills were behind too, awkward, etc. His OCD began with lots of compulsions, touching, rituals...a feeling that something bad would happen to him if he didn't do them plus he had to get that " just right " feeling, which could have him repeating or touching for hours sometimes! Fast forward to the present, his OCD is mainly bad thoughts, scrupulosity/ religion related. Though he always had a " touch " of scrupe before but not a problem (he was the kid I always asked what happened to get at the truth of a situation with my 3 sons!). Spitting -- would your daughter keep " something not germy " with her to spit into, throw away? You mentioned no tissues, are wash cloths something (not to throw away) she can handle? My 3 sons each went thru a spitting stage, drove me crazy. Not so much spitting in the house but all the time outside (something got in my mouth...can' t swallow it). Meds - we've only used one prescription and that was Celexa. I will add that a doctor mentioned to me that it had worked well for those with Aspergers and OCD, so just saying that might be the first you try if you pursue them. Worked well for except for some tiredness, he began to nap in the afternoons. Initially also had trouble getting to sleep but that passed. The medications for OCD affect everyone differently so unfortunately it can be trial & error to find the *one* that works well with no unwanted side effects. Before trying Celexa we used inositol powder (in B vitamin family) and that worked for him for quite a while. Again, no one med/alternative works for everyone, so sort of 50/50 chance when you try something. Tried inositol again this past year, no help at all. Some others have felt it helped with OCD, some no effect at all. We've had some recent posts on the subject of inositol powder, you can look back at the info. > > Hello, > I just joined and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some help. My name is Misty and I have four children. My 11yo daughter has Asperger's, mild Tourette's, OCD, Executive Dysfunction, Synesthesia, and Hyperlexia. My 8yo daughter is in the process of being evaluated by a psychologist, but I predict either Asperger's or PDD-NOS, along with OCD. My 5yo daughter has a diagnosis of Asperger's, ADHD, OCD, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. My 2yo son is also on the spectrum and is being evaluated by a psychologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Probably either the Aspergers Support or the Shadow Syndrome groups, tend to be in those two the most, after this group. > > Thanks for the welcome and advice, Chris. I think I know you from somewhere... Is it the WTM boards or one of the Asperger groups? > > Thanks again, > Misty > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2010 Report Share Posted August 13, 2010 Hello everyone, I wanted to introduce myself to the group. I just took the IBLCE exam for the first time and am crossing my fingers for the results. I hope to go into private practice soon after. I have a 2.5 year old son and am pregnant with my second. I look forward to reading your posts and joining in on your discussions. Donna Cohen Santa Clarita, CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Welcome to the group! My name is April and I have a 15 yr old dx with Aspergers since 4 month's old. He has struggled with a lot of things including still not being able to tie his shoes,remembering the simple things in fact just this week at church camp he had to take a swim test I as his mom knows he can swim but instead of getting a green necklace he got a yellow (only being able to swim to his armpits) I can't see him moving out on his own but to a group home and this is something iam not accepting right now. So he will be with me forever and iam ok with this but Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Thank you April! I see in your signature that you have three kids with various struggles. Is that overwhelming? I have two with struggles, one diagnosed and one not yet. Dee Welcome to the group! My name is April and I have a 15 yr old dx with Aspergers since 4 month's old. He has struggled with a lot of things including still not being able to tie his shoes,remembering the simple things in fact just this week at church camp he had to take a swim test I as his mom knows he can swim but instead of getting a green necklace he got a yellow (only being able to swim to his armpits) I can't see him moving out on his own but to a group home and this is something iam not accepting right now. So he will be with me forever and iam ok with this but my family (who dont know him that well says iam babying him so if you have any questions feel free to ask away! April mom of my 3 great kids!Tyler (16) ADHD & Bipolar (15) AspergersHunter (13) Speech Delayed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Hello Dee, my name is Carolyn and I have been writing to this group off and on for a long time. I have a son Marty who is 47 now who has had severe autism, learning problems, and seizures all of his life. I have always taken care of him at home and he has had and does have many challenges; such as he is non verbal, on a feeding tube, wears depends, actually doesn’t do anything for himself, cannot even get up and walk unassisted by me. When he was younger though he was hyperactive, went to school and ran all over the place, and it was a struggle to keep him out of trouble. He has had lots of injuries from falling down and seizures. He used to wear a helmet all day he had so many seizures. To look at his face now, he appears very handsome and alert to everybody and everything, just has his own way of communicating, he always did and has been misunderstood most all of his life. I was the only one who finally figured out he wasn’t a “bad†kid, he just could not communicate like others. All they did when he was younger was have him on programs to trick him to comply, and he overcame them all and kept his independence. They were bullies and he knew it and was very hard to deal with for about ten years because he became like them. Once I got on his side he settled down, and things have run smoothly pretty much ever since. I could talk all day about my son, as you can imagine, but what I really wanted to respond to you about was about your daughter le who is 9. She sounds a lot like my grandson Lucas who will be 8 next Friday. He was diagnosed last year by a developmental pediatrician with “mild†autism, although his mother and I believe he has Aspergers. The doctor did not say that though. He’s had a lot of problems at school with anti social type of behavior, and doesn’t like to do most of his school work. He got a special IEP last year after the diagnosis and it has helped him quite a bit finally, such as he goes to small groups for math and reading, etc. Also his mother picks him up every day 45 min. early because he said school was just “too long†and it has helped him a lot. He is very intelligent and talks fluently, loves movies and mimics the characters and dialogue from them, something his first and second grade teachers did not understand at all. Plus his mom lets him watch far out King type movies, etc. as she is a movie nut and sees nothing wrong with it. His latest craze has been Andre LaNoch out out Storm of the Century. Andre is the devil so he acts like he is the devil with the cane with the wolf on it that kills people, da, da, da. For days he would quote: “Give me what I want and I’ll leave you alone.†Wrote it page after page at school! Well that was Andre in the movie wanting one of the children to train to be like him. Oh it is sick. He almost got expelled from school last spring because he got too carried away acting like this guy and when I reprimanded him he said, “For pete’s sake this it is fantasy.†And I said, “You getting expelled because you are threating to kill somebody is real!†And that seemed to click with him and he toned it down. Anyway a lot of times we have to to ignore people who don’t understand what is going on, but this is really hard. Such as my grandson when he is upset at me is very disrespectful to me calls me “old lady†in a very hostile tone, and he even got so mad at me the other day he called me a “stupid bitch.†He was very frustrated because I was insisting he would learn to ride a bike. Took the training wheels off and was pushing him on our yard. He is a very strong boy and I know he can do it because he does not give up no matter how mad he gets. He has gone with me several times on a bike with training wheels and I figured he was ready to go without them. When we went with training wheels he would yell and cuss all of the way, and people turned their heads to stare, but by golly he is getting it. Every once in awhile he does throw it down and kick it, and says really quaint things like, “I want this bike to go to hell!†This is how he talks. I must admit I smacked him on the butt real hard out in the back yard when he called me a “stupid bitch,†and said, “Lucas you can not EVER call me that!†And he cried a little and said he was sorry and hugged me. He knows when he goes too far with me, and there are some places where I must draw the line for him. I work on him all the time to build his confidence but this is tricky because when he finally does well for example on the bike he is screaming at me, “Stop talking stop talking!†But I am trying to TEACH him what to do. Say, “Good job now you’re getting it.†He likes the praise but he hates the praise. I think I am good with him because I am so used to such behavior from my own son who went through years and years of it. Looking back it seems to me that what I proved to my son was my love for him would pay off, he could never make me NOT love him. So this is what I am doing with my grandson. Have had to do it with my other “normal†children in many ways during their life times also. Two of mine were alcoholics for many years. Their dad died of it. I could get real deep here and bring in my faith in God but won’t right now, maybe later. Just saying it is tough being a parent, or grandparent, but if we are ruled by what is best for the kid and ruled by LOVE we can conquer most anything. I taught the boy to swim and he used to be drug kicking and screaming into the swimming pool he was so afraid of the water. Now he swims like Phelps, only has not learned to breath, just goes as far as he can and stops. He’ll get it though in time. Pees in the men’s urinal, and was desperately afraid of bathrooms and toilets for a long time. Guess this is long enough, am cooped up in the house today! Carolyn in Springfield, Oregon, nice and cool here hasn’t been hot yet all summer! From: Dee Hawkins Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 8:10 AM To: mailto:autism-aspergers Subject: new member I’m a new member too. My name is DaNeen Hawkins and I have a 9 year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD (le). It has been a rough journey of friends and relatives treating her harshly for things she struggles with (she still can’t ride a bike, open a bottled water, tie her shoe...) and blaming me for her symptoms! Even my husband blames me for her symptoms and will verbalize that to the professionals! “She doesn’t have Asperger’s (to the ones who diagnosed her) – it’s my wife’s fault she acts the way she does.†He even said, “There’s a big difference between Asperger’s and a spoiled brat and what we have here is a spoiled brat!†So I’m joining the group to regain some sanity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2012 Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 Dee yes it's a struggle on a daily basis. Most times it's my bipolar son that gives me the most trouble. just tonight he shoved me and he walked out the door. He did come back after he calmed down and apologized but he also strikes his brothers. What struggles are you dealing with?? anything i can help with let me know April mom of my 3 great kids!Tyler (16) ADHD & Bipolar (15) AspergersHunter (13) Speech Delayed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Carolyn, You are a saint to take care of your son and keep up your spirits! It sounds like you’re making a positive impact on your grandson’s life as well and he needs a grandma! Bless you, Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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