Re: Autistic Girl Unsafe At Home( this was on the FORUM fro...

[Guest guest]

Sharon:

Each parent must make a conscious decision about the care of their child, especially parents of children with behavioral problems, when it seems the decision comes a little earlier. WE must do what is best for our own situations, our own families. Good luck and my thoughts will be with you and your family. I believe none of us should judge another person's decision on choosing an alternative placement. Each situation is unique.

I think what was truly scary, is that in this instance the parents did not think this was the best placement for their child and the judge just blatantly disregarded their concerns. To think that a judge could take a person's child away is such a horrendous thought, many parents are thinking, hey, that could have been me! THAT is what was scariest about the whole situation.

Vickie

[Guest guest]

You are exactly correct. This fear came over me after I read the story and I thought... What if thing would have been different for Jen and I? I ran a list of bumps, marks, cuts, scrapes, and all the times Jen bit someone and herself. Granted she has really improved, because now she just puts her month to my arm and leaves a wet round ring when she is angry. There is no bit, just the threat of the bit and I can live with a threat. She does bit herself, but never breaks skin. She just leaves an imprint, which fades. I give Jen a B-12 shot once a week and that seems to be what is making the change in the biting. There was a time when Jen was about three and half years old she bite a piece out of my side. I had quite a whole, but I treated myself and just keep my mouth shut about it for fear of the therapists. I learned early on that the same people who could be of great help could easily turn and become the enemy.

One therapist who was this do-gooder... vowed and declared Jen was having seizers because Jen was ignoring her. I told her I felt Jen was not and I asked the family doctor his opinion. He agreed with me. I told what the doctor said, but she still insisted Jen was having seizers. She was a visiting caseworker type therapist and every time she came to my house she would look around and note every little change in my living room kitchen and dinning room. She did this inspection that was down right stupid. At the time we live in a new BI-level home in and country setting in a development which was only about three years old. Every time she came I cleaned the house to perfection and still she did her inspection. She informed me of each new item that she could spot in my house. Still she insisted Jen was having seizers. I tried to explain to her that Jen just does not seem to like to working with her. This woman became insulted and informed me that all children love her and that I do not know what I am talking about. She knew I was a Schoolteacher on child rearing leave at the time due to Jen's condition and I guess I was unintentionally intimidating her. At any rate she threaten that if I did not have and EEG on Jen she was going to turn me into Child Welfare. She told me "I was putting Jen on the back burned". So... I contacted Jen's doctor at Hershey and told him the situation. He scheduled the EEG. It took me and four other people to hold Jen down to get her ready for the EEG. Jen had wires each connected to an Electro glued to her head in her curly hair… what a mess! The EEG showed NO seizer activity. I requested to have the paper from the machine that ran the EEG machine showing no seizer activity and they were very happy to give me the huge, wide continuous sheet of paper when they were finished. When I arrived home I found a sitter for my daughters. I took the big stack paper to Family Child where that Caseworker she was when not harassing parents and I gather my courage in the parking lot. I can still remember opening the room walking down the long hall and there she stood as arrogant as ever! I through the Stack of paper at her and announce, My daughter does not have seizers and she is just ignoring you because she does not like you. I don't like you and you wasted my money. You tortured my daughter with an EEG! She did not need it! So now... go ahead turn me in to Child Welfare. I was read to rip that woman a new butt. She no long works at Family Child!

She and her kind is the enemy and will always be the enemy! That was my situation, but each parent, therapist, doctor, and child is different and it is very hard to compare. I thank God that I had doctor who were willing to stand behind me and help Jen and I. That woman was determined to destroy us in the name of her own self-esteem. Don't kid yourself there are more like her out there... So called do gooder! In defense of the other therapies that Jen has worked with over the years... They have been excellent, wise and extremely helpful... I have always been open about the situation, because I know that I did the right thing as the paper through the air sputtering all direction and me announcing my results and complaint.

Take Care and God Bless,

Beverly Weakley

Mom of Jen and Kim,

Re: Autistic Girl Unsafe At Home( this was on the FORUM fro...

Sharon: Each parent must make a conscious decision about the care of their child, especially parents of children with behavioral problems, when it seems the decision comes a little earlier. WE must do what is best for our own situations, our own families. Good luck and my thoughts will be with you and your family. I believe none of us should judge another person's decision on choosing an alternative placement. Each situation is unique. I think what was truly scary, is that in this instance the parents did not think this was the best placement for their child and the judge just blatantly disregarded their concerns. To think that a judge could take a person's child away is such a horrendous thought, many parents are thinking, hey, that could have been me! THAT is what was scariest about the whole situation. Vickie