Re: Dr. Mott's Clinic at town (very long )

[Guest guest]

Hi ...He sounds like my grandson. We haven't tried any meds. Our

pediatrician doesn't prescribe them for one that young but I asked for a

referral to a neurologist for his opinion and his opinion (possible autism)

doesn't fit what the therapists are saying. They feel it is attention (lack of)

fueled by sensory problems. They just started a sensory diet at school and he

was happy today (except when he had to come in from playing outside). He

definitely prefers to do things on his terms. I would love it if you would let

me know if you go to the clinic at town. I am actually thinking of NACD

right now because I like the idea of the home program.

About ADHD...I really don't know a lot but this is my experience. My youngest

child moved constantly. He never had any speech issues or delays but the

doctors always noticed when I was in their office with any of the other three,

he bounced off the walls. Whenever I went anywhere EVERYBODY knew his name from

my corrections and would say " Bye when we left...the grocery store,

library, etc. He went to kindergarten and that was ok. He scored 99% on tests

but really didn't like to sit still. In first grade at back to school night,

his teacher said " Oh Aggie, he's driving me crazy. " Well the look on my face

must have been something because she said " Oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said

that but I thought I could say that to you. " She taught my other kids so she

knew me. Anyway, we went to the doctor the next day and before I got the words

completely out of my mouth, I had a prescription for Ritalin. I said...that's

all there is to it???? The doc said he had been observing him long enough to

recognize ADHD. He did give me a questionnaire to fill out at home and one for

school which I didn't give them. I didn't want them to know he was on anything

yet to see if there was REALLY a noticeable difference. There was. He and 2

other kids were put in an accelerated group for reading and math and after

another standardized test, he spent the rest of his school years in a gifted

program. I am telling you this because I honestly don't know how he knew the

words to get in that reading group because I don't think he ever sat still for a

book that I might have been reading to one of the others. He is an aerospace

turned nuclear engineer today. He did not stay on Ritalin past middle school.

I tried about once a year to take him off it and got calls from the teachers.

He could not stay in his chair. I got excuses from him like it hurt to stay in

his chair. Weird but Ritalin worked for him. I'm sure there must be more

scientific ways to evaluate for that then just observing or trying a drug and if

it works we that's must be it. He is a wonderful kid (26). He hated taking it

because he didn't like the way it made him feel and he lost his appetite but

today he says he is glad I went that route. He learned that he liked doing well

in things and he liked the positive feedback that he got from teachers and he

finally he learned around middle school what it took to manage himself (sort

of). We held our breadth for him to graduate from college. He did like to

party. I am told he has a great work ethic and is moving along in his career.

I have to remember this myself when I think of Cole. One of the differences

that I see is the sensory problems that he had that didn't. I think that

they can be causing the delays. I won't just let it be without looking into

everything but I do have to remember that these professionals don't know the

kids the way we do. I knew was bright but I'm pretty sure the

pediatrician was surprised when I told him he was in the gifted program. It was

an awkward moment and I made a little joke and said " I guess he sat still for

that test. " He said " I guess so. " He never sent a form for the school to fill

out again. Aggie

[ ] Dr. Mott's Clinic at town

Hi all,

Wondering if you've had any experience with the Autism and Communication

Disorders Clinic at town. Looking for a more thorough evaluation of my

son, 3.5, with history of Infantile Spasms, cognitive delays, apraxia, ADHD, and

virtually no speech. He does not have a diagnosis of autism (the developmental

peds we have seen say it's too soon to rule that in or out because of his delays

- he certainly has some autistic features) and his teacher at school doesn't

feel he's showing signs of ADHD (though his neuro and developmental ped want him

medicated because they feel it is severe). Just want another opinion I guess and

lots of eyes to look at him at once to get a clearer picture of all that is

going on with him and what it means in terms of treatment approaches. Can the

town clinic help me with this? Or any other Interdisciplinary Teams in the

Northern Virginia/DC Metro area?

Thanks for any guidance,