Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 HI, My son is not going to be Bar Mitzvah as he never went to hebrew school. We are not practicing but he still knows that he is jewish as did his classmates (more a heritage than anything else for us at this point). They were not families I hung out with but school mates of my sons. That must of been hard for your son at the pool. I can relate. We are still trying to get him to understand. Today they started a new program for him at school. The school called and said he was fine with the program (atleast from their perspective) but was upset that he had to change his math class. We have been here less than 2 weeks and that is enough change for these kids. I feel terrible that they had to change his class to accommodate his other new classes. Don't know how to handle this one when he gets home today. Joan <cmcintosh5@...> wrote: Can I ask you a question? Were they families you socialized with too? Have you started to plan his Bar Mitzvah? Will he be having one? It might be a situation where they didn't know he was practicing your faith? BUT that being said.. Its true.. Our kids... Sometimes fit in much better with adults than their peers.. Its hard to watch from the outside isn't it? I noticed my son.. Avoiding me at the pool last night.. Not cool to hang out with your mom.. But.. Still not one of the " regulars " came to him either.. He didn't know how to approach the situation no matter how hard he tried. I am going to invite his buddy with us next week... As a liason. -- Re: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? Hi, My son is 13 and being of the Jewish faith that is a big year for a boy. We recently left MA and before we left there were many Bar and Bat Mitzvah's (the jewish coming of age party). My son was not invited to a single one. We lived in a jewish town so there were many of these parties. Although my son is a product of a mixed marriage so he did not attend schooling for this ritual it was still very sad to see that he was never invited. He noticed it and my answer to him was that a lot of kids were invited just because they were in the same hebrew school and that it is a rule that you invite your whole class. Although this is true, there are still plenty of children that get invited without attending this school. Although he said it did not bother him, I know it still hurt my son that he was left out. Joan Miranda on <mjjthomason@...> wrote: Rose, My son is 9 as well and sounds like a similar situation. He wants to play basketball, have sleepovers with his circle of friends, and works hard to be just one of the gang. He does not see himself as different. I wish the world were different. I do see it changing. Good luck. Rose <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hi Miranda, My son AS just turned 9. He is understanding more and like I said he is doing well. He has a strong will to learn. He knows he is different, He knows he needs more help than most kids his age. He knows he gets more help then his friends. And he knows he has Aspergers. He had early interventions since he was 18 months old so he is used to it. but now, He is trying to understand " What Aspergers is " . even though I explained it to him, He seems to still need to know more. I wish I knew how to explain more to him at a level that he can understand without making him worry about himself. for now, he has a high self esteem, He has friends at school that he plays with and at the after school program. but yet, He has only been invited to one party since he started school. He is in 3rd grade. At the park he sees his classmates at a party but he was not invited. for now, that don't seem to bother him, but maybe because he has a hard time expressing his feelings. (he can't) or (won't). Thanks for explaining the difference. that was a big help. Miranda on <mjjthomason@...> wrote: In our case I am pursuing the Asperger's DX. Autism is linked in the minds of many as lifelong unchangeable condition. Asperger's is seen as more workable. Asperger's is seen more as " quirks " . HFA is seen as possibility of living independently but still not perceived as well as Asperger's. All still fall under Autism for Special Education Eligibility. Believe me I have seen people's faces when you you say Autism. I will have to see if I get the same " deer in the headlights " look with Asperger's DX. beachbodytan2002 <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hello everyone, How would you describe a HFA person to a description of an AS person? what is the difference? There is a lot of talk with people wondering if their child is AS or HFA. It seems like the DX is so close that it is hard to tell which one a child is. I'm trying to understand " why " this is so important with a DX of a child. would one DX be more higher functioning than the other? Are the strategies different? Does a HFA DX have different concerns than an AS DX? There seems to be a big difference between Autism and Aspergers. But from what I've been reading from your post, HFA & Aspergers seems to be almost the same. Would Autism be the most severe, than Aspergers be high function, and then HFA be border line of NT? I'm still going to work with my AS son the same way as I have been. only because he's doing well so far. " Thank God " But, I would still like to educate myself and know the difference between the two " DX " , and this is the best place to learn. I can learn information from people that have children with a DX than from a teacher that only has a child for a little while or a doctor that learned from a book. the best teachers are you parents that live with their children & post their experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Roxanna, just a friendly question. from what you explained, are you saying a parent would be in denial of their doctors DX? and that is why a parent would shop around? or is it a control thing or something else? Because I had a strong discussion on this very topic with a parent I know. Roxanna, " I would like your opinion " . You both brought up a strong point. (and such different opinions on the same topic.) And you both make good sense in your opinions. yet they are opposite. WOW! When would it be appropriate for another doctors opinion? I know a parent that is going through this same topic with the school & the doctor. the doctor says the childs DX, gives strategies, and the school says, " I don't see it " . of course the parent goes by the Doctors. but if it were up to the school. I bet, they can find a doctor, somewhere, that would agree with them. (the school) That is scarry! The parent is left with. " what if I made the wrong choice " ? you know, the " What if " questions. Well, thanks always, that is all I have to ask on this topic. Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote: Subject: RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same reason most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or parent in this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and as such should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding a doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will actually give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child you HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on after awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally got up the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now being treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors are not the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete idiots. If you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way off base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone who will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get is not a reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had to find new doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a decent one. We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at Children's hospitals. I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second opinion. But I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a specific dx because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because you like the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and wrong. Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 This is great news and always great to hear. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! pltoc@... wrote: Some of you know that our son will be graduating from high school in June. Just wanted to share that he made the honor roll this quarter, after making the merit roll (just below hr) for the two previous quarters. This has been his goal since he started high school and he finally, as he so aptly put it, scratched and fought his way to the top...lol! He has overcome many obstacles along the way...like bullying, a lack of understanding by his peers and learning disabilities(such as dysgraphia), to get to the place he is in now. He has had a girlfriend since October and they will be going to his senior prom together in May. Even though he doesn't have a driver's license and his future beyond high school remains unclear, he does have lots of determination and a strong faith...both of these things will help him find his place in this world. Hope this encourages those of you with younger children... Blessings, Gail PS did anyone see the depiction of AS on " Boston Legal " this Tuesday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 That is a shame, yes, that would stand out. " suffers from Aspergers " and in high school & college, boys that play football & other sports do the same, (having rape reports) but not that much attention is placed on them because, somehow, it gets covered up and dropped. (I hope this didn't offend anyone, There are a lot of responsible and respectful teenage boys out there. A few that need help). Toni <kbtoni@...> wrote: unfortunately on the Atlanta news yesterday there was a boy that molested a young girl and they tagged on the end of the story that he 'suffers from a form of autism called aspergers'. I thought Oh boy, now everyones going to be scared of aspies. 1 step forward and three back...Toni Rose wrote: > Miranda, > YES, I see it changing too. They need to put more children on the news > just like a few weeks ago. Like the one where that AS boy played > basketball and made (I think) 5 hoops in a row. Another situation > where an AS boy won a spelling B contest. That was awesome. Dr. Phill > needs to also do another show on just AS with more positive things. > like their strengths & successes also with all the interventions we > need. either way, you are right, I think things will get better. > Parents like the ones on this support group are educating themselves > and the public schools, and more and more are standing up for their > children. > > Miranda on wrote: > Rose, > > My son is 9 as well and sounds like a similar situation. He wants to > play basketball, have sleepovers with his circle of friends, and works > hard to be just one of the gang. He does not see himself as different. > I wish the world were different. I do see it changing. Good luck. > > Rose wrote: > Hi Miranda, > My son AS just turned 9. He is understanding more and like I said he > is doing well. He has a strong will to learn. He knows he is > different, He knows he needs more help than most kids his age. He > knows he gets more help then his friends. And he knows he has > Aspergers. He had early interventions since he was 18 months old so he > is used to it. but now, He is trying to understand " What Aspergers > is " . even though I explained it to him, He seems to still need to know > more. I wish I knew how to explain more to him at a level that he can > understand without making him worry about himself. for now, he has a > high self esteem, He has friends at school that he plays with and at > the after school program. but yet, He has only been invited to one > party since he started school. He is in 3rd grade. At the park he sees > his classmates at a party but he was not invited. for now, that don't > seem to bother him, but maybe because he has a hard time expressing > his feelings. (he > can't) or (won't). Thanks for explaining the difference. that was a > big help. > > Miranda on wrote: > In our case I am pursuing the Asperger's DX. Autism is linked in the > minds of many as lifelong unchangeable condition. Asperger's is seen > as more workable. Asperger's is seen more as " quirks " . HFA is seen as > possibility of living independently but still not perceived as well as > Asperger's. All still fall under Autism for Special Education > Eligibility. Believe me I have seen people's faces when you you say > Autism. I will have to see if I get the same " deer in the headlights " > look with Asperger's DX. > > beachbodytan2002 wrote: Hello everyone, > > How would you describe a HFA person to a description of an AS > person? what is the difference? There is a lot of talk with people > wondering if their child is AS or HFA. It seems like the DX is so > close that it is hard to tell which one a child is. I'm trying to > understand " why " this is so important with a DX of a child. would > one DX be more higher functioning than the other? Are the > strategies different? Does a HFA DX have different concerns than an > AS DX? There seems to be a big difference between Autism and > Aspergers. But from what I've been reading from your post, HFA & > Aspergers seems to be almost the same. Would Autism be the most > severe, than Aspergers be high function, and then HFA be border line > of NT? > I'm still going to work with my AS son the same way as I have been. > only because he's doing well so far. " Thank God " But, I would still > like to educate myself and know the difference between the two " DX " , > and this is the best place to learn. I can learn information from > people that have children with a DX than from a teacher that only > has a child for a little while or a doctor that learned from a > book. the best teachers are you parents that live with their > children & post their experiences. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 ---That is WONDERFUL!!!A great big pat on the back to your son! Toni In , pltoc@... wrote: > > Some of you know that our son will be graduating from high school in June. > Just wanted to share that he made the honor roll this quarter, after making > the merit roll (just below hr) for the two previous quarters. This has been > his goal since he started high school and he finally, as he so aptly put it, > scratched and fought his way to the top...lol! He has overcome many obstacles > along the way...like bullying, a lack of understanding by his peers and > learning disabilities(such as dysgraphia), to get to the place he is in now. He > has had a girlfriend since October and they will be going to his senior prom > together in May. Even though he doesn't have a driver's license and his > future beyond high school remains unclear, he does have lots of determination and > a strong faith...both of these things will help him find his place in this > world. Hope this encourages those of you with younger children... > > Blessings, > Gail > PS did anyone see the depiction of AS on " Boston Legal " this Tuesday? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Can I ask you a question? Were they families you socialized with too? Have you started to plan his Bar Mitzvah? Will he be having one? It might be a situation where they didn't know he was practicing your faith? BUT that being said.. Its true.. Our kids... Sometimes fit in much better with adults than their peers.. Its hard to watch from the outside isn't it? I noticed my son.. Avoiding me at the pool last night.. Not cool to hang out with your mom.. But.. Still not one of the " regulars " came to him either.. He didn't know how to approach the situation no matter how hard he tried. I am going to invite his buddy with us next week... As a liason. -- Re: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? Hi, My son is 13 and being of the Jewish faith that is a big year for a boy. We recently left MA and before we left there were many Bar and Bat Mitzvah's (the jewish coming of age party). My son was not invited to a single one. We lived in a jewish town so there were many of these parties. Although my son is a product of a mixed marriage so he did not attend schooling for this ritual it was still very sad to see that he was never invited. He noticed it and my answer to him was that a lot of kids were invited just because they were in the same hebrew school and that it is a rule that you invite your whole class. Although this is true, there are still plenty of children that get invited without attending this school. Although he said it did not bother him, I know it still hurt my son that he was left out. Joan Miranda on <mjjthomason@...> wrote: Rose, My son is 9 as well and sounds like a similar situation. He wants to play basketball, have sleepovers with his circle of friends, and works hard to be just one of the gang. He does not see himself as different. I wish the world were different. I do see it changing. Good luck. Rose <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hi Miranda, My son AS just turned 9. He is understanding more and like I said he is doing well. He has a strong will to learn. He knows he is different, He knows he needs more help than most kids his age. He knows he gets more help then his friends. And he knows he has Aspergers. He had early interventions since he was 18 months old so he is used to it. but now, He is trying to understand " What Aspergers is " . even though I explained it to him, He seems to still need to know more. I wish I knew how to explain more to him at a level that he can understand without making him worry about himself. for now, he has a high self esteem, He has friends at school that he plays with and at the after school program. but yet, He has only been invited to one party since he started school. He is in 3rd grade. At the park he sees his classmates at a party but he was not invited. for now, that don't seem to bother him, but maybe because he has a hard time expressing his feelings. (he can't) or (won't). Thanks for explaining the difference. that was a big help. Miranda on <mjjthomason@...> wrote: In our case I am pursuing the Asperger's DX. Autism is linked in the minds of many as lifelong unchangeable condition. Asperger's is seen as more workable. Asperger's is seen more as " quirks " . HFA is seen as possibility of living independently but still not perceived as well as Asperger's. All still fall under Autism for Special Education Eligibility. Believe me I have seen people's faces when you you say Autism. I will have to see if I get the same " deer in the headlights " look with Asperger's DX. beachbodytan2002 <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hello everyone, How would you describe a HFA person to a description of an AS person? what is the difference? There is a lot of talk with people wondering if their child is AS or HFA. It seems like the DX is so close that it is hard to tell which one a child is. I'm trying to understand " why " this is so important with a DX of a child. would one DX be more higher functioning than the other? Are the strategies different? Does a HFA DX have different concerns than an AS DX? There seems to be a big difference between Autism and Aspergers. But from what I've been reading from your post, HFA & Aspergers seems to be almost the same. Would Autism be the most severe, than Aspergers be high function, and then HFA be border line of NT? I'm still going to work with my AS son the same way as I have been. only because he's doing well so far. " Thank God " But, I would still like to educate myself and know the difference between the two " DX " , and this is the best place to learn. I can learn information from people that have children with a DX than from a teacher that only has a child for a little while or a doctor that learned from a book. the best teachers are you parents that live with their children & post their experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 J mac will be on Oprah on may 24th!!!!!! -- Re: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? Miranda, YES, I see it changing too. They need to put more children on the news just like a few weeks ago. Like the one where that AS boy played basketball and made (I think) 5 hoops in a row. Another situation where an AS boy won a spelling B contest. That was awesome. Dr. Phill needs to also do another show on just AS with more positive things. like their strengths & successes also with all the interventions we need. either way, you are right, I think things will get better. Parents like the ones on this support group are educating themselves and the public schools, and more and more are standing up for their children. Miranda on <mjjthomason@...> wrote: Rose, My son is 9 as well and sounds like a similar situation. He wants to play basketball, have sleepovers with his circle of friends, and works hard to be just one of the gang. He does not see himself as different. I wish the world were different. I do see it changing. Good luck. Rose <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hi Miranda, My son AS just turned 9. He is understanding more and like I said he is doing well. He has a strong will to learn. He knows he is different, He knows he needs more help than most kids his age. He knows he gets more help then his friends. And he knows he has Aspergers. He had early interventions since he was 18 months old so he is used to it. but now, He is trying to understand " What Aspergers is " . even though I explained it to him, He seems to still need to know more. I wish I knew how to explain more to him at a level that he can understand without making him worry about himself. for now, he has a high self esteem, He has friends at school that he plays with and at the after school program. but yet, He has only been invited to one party since he started school. He is in 3rd grade. At the park he sees his classmates at a party but he was not invited. for now, that don't seem to bother him, but maybe because he has a hard time expressing his feelings. (he can't) or (won't). Thanks for explaining the difference. that was a big help. Miranda on <mjjthomason@...> wrote: In our case I am pursuing the Asperger's DX. Autism is linked in the minds of many as lifelong unchangeable condition. Asperger's is seen as more workable. Asperger's is seen more as " quirks " . HFA is seen as possibility of living independently but still not perceived as well as Asperger's. All still fall under Autism for Special Education Eligibility. Believe me I have seen people's faces when you you say Autism. I will have to see if I get the same " deer in the headlights " look with Asperger's DX. beachbodytan2002 <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hello everyone, How would you describe a HFA person to a description of an AS person? what is the difference? There is a lot of talk with people wondering if their child is AS or HFA. It seems like the DX is so close that it is hard to tell which one a child is. I'm trying to understand " why " this is so important with a DX of a child. would one DX be more higher functioning than the other? Are the strategies different? Does a HFA DX have different concerns than an AS DX? There seems to be a big difference between Autism and Aspergers. But from what I've been reading from your post, HFA & Aspergers seems to be almost the same. Would Autism be the most severe, than Aspergers be high function, and then HFA be border line of NT? I'm still going to work with my AS son the same way as I have been. only because he's doing well so far. " Thank God " But, I would still like to educate myself and know the difference between the two " DX " , and this is the best place to learn. I can learn information from people that have children with a DX than from a teacher that only has a child for a little while or a doctor that learned from a book. the best teachers are you parents that live with their children & post their experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 I wasn't certain if you have ever heard of the book: A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive - by Dawson It is a wonderful book and it explains alot. I bought it and it gave me great insight ~ it might help you. Good Luck > > Hello everyone, > > How would you describe a HFA person to a description of an AS > person? what is the difference? There is a lot of talk with people > wondering if their child is AS or HFA. It seems like the DX is so > close that it is hard to tell which one a child is. I'm trying to > understand " why " this is so important with a DX of a child. would > one DX be more higher functioning than the other? Are the > strategies different? Does a HFA DX have different concerns than an > AS DX? There seems to be a big difference between Autism and > Aspergers. But from what I've been reading from your post, HFA & > Aspergers seems to be almost the same. Would Autism be the most > severe, than Aspergers be high function, and then HFA be border line > of NT? > I'm still going to work with my AS son the same way as I have been. > only because he's doing well so far. " Thank God " But, I would still > like to educate myself and know the difference between the two " DX " , > and this is the best place to learn. I can learn information from > people that have children with a DX than from a teacher that only > has a child for a little while or a doctor that learned from a > book. the best teachers are you parents that live with their > children & post their experiences. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems but might get vastly different services. Best wishes, Tabitha RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same reason most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or parent in this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and as such should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding a doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will actually give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child you HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on after awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally got up the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now being treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors are not the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete idiots. If you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way off base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone who will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get is not a reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had to find new doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a decent one. We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at Children's hospitals. I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second opinion. But I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a specific dx because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because you like the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and wrong. Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Dr Tsai presented some research which talked about how children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-polar, and finally Asperger's. My son now 22 followed the same diagnostic process and wasn't diagnosed until he was 18. I have a copy of his article and am happy to email it to you if you are interested. Clemy > > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems > but might get vastly different services. > > Best wishes, > Tabitha > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, > AS & > HFA? > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same reason > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or parent in > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and as such > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding a > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will actually > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child you > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on after > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally got up > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now being > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors are not > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete idiots. If > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way off > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone who > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get is not > a > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had to find > new > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a decent > one. > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at Children's > hospitals. > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second opinion. > But > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a specific > dx > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because you > like > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and wrong. > > Roxanna > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Subject: RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems but might get vastly different services. Best wishes, Tabitha Well, quite sure I was talking about " shopping around " for a specific dx just because other people wouldn't like one over the other. If my child was dx'd incorrectly, as I said, it would be important to find a doctor who would be able to look into that. Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 Our HFA son scored higher in performance and lower in language. He still struggles with putting together grammatically correct sentences, and it is a testament to how much he is being worked with in combination with his desire to do better that he gets S's in this academic area. It is interesting that he reads above grade level, however. > > My son's performance IQ is 40 points below his verbal IQ!!! > > Liz > > > The kids with AS I have seen are generally very good with language > > from the > > beginning and often advanced in language really. Another thing I have > > noted > > is when they get testing, the AS kids generally score higher in > > language > > areas while this is usually the lower score for kids with HFA. My > > older ds, > > for instance, would score higher in performance areas, lower in verbal > > areas > > and his same aged peer with AS scored opposite that - high in verbal > > areas, > > low in performance areas. > > > > > > Roxanna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 My sons were originally diagnosed as ADHD (inattentive) one with OCD and the other with ADHD and depression. They couldn't stand the first pyschiatrist (that diagnosed them adhd) and I had to fight them to go see her every time. After the incident last year where I had n committed to a state hospital we found another pyschiatrist that they both admire/trust/respect that saw them for about 10 minutes and said they had aspergers. My husband and I weren't shopping around for another diagnosis, we wanted a dr the boys could talk to and somehow the adhd just didn't explain all that was going on with the two of them.Now if we could just get this doggone depression under control we might make some progress. Toni Ms. Tabitha Bingham wrote: > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems > but might get vastly different services. > > Best wishes, > Tabitha > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, > AS & > HFA? > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same reason > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or parent in > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and as such > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding a > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will actually > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child you > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on after > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally got up > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now being > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors are not > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete idiots. If > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way off > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone who > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get is not > a > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had to find > new > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a decent > one. > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at Children's > hospitals. > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second opinion. > But > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a specific > dx > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because you > like > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and wrong. > > Roxanna > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 If you don't mind I would love to see the article you mentioned, Clemy. Thanks in advance.... Toni mcclem4748 wrote: > Dr Tsai presented some research which talked about how children are > often misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-polar, and finally Asperger's. > My son now 22 followed the same diagnostic process and wasn't > diagnosed until he was 18. I have a copy of his article and am happy > to email it to you if you are interested. > > Clemy > > > > > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems > and > > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with > those > > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their > own > > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an > attempt to > > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way > and why > > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent > wants > > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as > when > > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar > problems > > but might get vastly different services. > > > > Best wishes, > > Tabitha > > > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: > Autism, > > AS & > > HFA? > > > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same > reason > > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or > parent in > > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and > as such > > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding > a > > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will > actually > > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child > you > > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on > after > > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally > got up > > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now > being > > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors > are not > > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete > idiots. If > > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way > off > > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone > who > > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get > is not > > a > > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had > to find > > new > > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a > decent > > one. > > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at > Children's > > hospitals. > > > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second > opinion. > > But > > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a > specific > > dx > > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because > you > > like > > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and > wrong. > > > > Roxanna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 -Clemy, Did your son work with Dr. Tsai? Our son did for several yrs.He dx'ed our son at 9 or 10yrs. old, while our son was at his worst. It was his last adm. to childrens psy. in hosp. I like this Dr. because he will say, " we don't know everything about AS, and were still learning from the children growing up now. He's asked our son to speak at some of his lectures. I don't know if he will have time with college and work. Dr. Tsai is one of the Drs. trying to change AS in the DMS book...he doesn't feel it is Autisum. He is one of them that feels AS should be a dx. by itself...he's worked with research on this, and he has a grown son with Autisum..he's quite soft spoken man. It would be nice if you were able to put his article on the messageboard so all could read it. God Bless Connie T. -- In , " mcclem4748 " <mcclem4748@...> wrote: > > Dr Tsai presented some research which talked about how children are > often misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-polar, and finally Asperger's. > My son now 22 followed the same diagnostic process and wasn't > diagnosed until he was 18. I have a copy of his article and am happy > to email it to you if you are interested. > > Clemy > > > > > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems > and > > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with > those > > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their > own > > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an > attempt to > > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way > and why > > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent > wants > > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as > when > > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar > problems > > but might get vastly different services. > > > > Best wishes, > > Tabitha > > > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: > Autism, > > AS & > > HFA? > > > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same > reason > > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or > parent in > > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and > as such > > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding > a > > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will > actually > > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child > you > > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on > after > > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally > got up > > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now > being > > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors > are not > > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete > idiots. If > > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way > off > > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone > who > > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get > is not > > a > > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had > to find > > new > > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a > decent > > one. > > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at > Children's > > hospitals. > > > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second > opinion. > > But > > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a > specific > > dx > > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because > you > > like > > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and > wrong. > > > > Roxanna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 Subject: RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? OH just my two cents.. I suggest shopping around.. Because yes you will get different diagnoses. However, you can decide which one to show to whom including medical insurance.. I believe.. ( at least here in Canada.. ) and you only have to disclose one to the school to get services. An autism diagnoses goes a LOT further than ADHD Kids with AS are serviced at school under the Autism category. So they don't need another dx that says " autism. " Besides, who can afford all these evaluations and why put your kid through them? Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 I just forwarded this info to a friend of mine.. Because we are both needing this kind of positive output!!! Thank you Hon !! HURRAY For your boy and you! -- Re: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? ---That is WONDERFUL!!!A great big pat on the back to your son! Toni In , pltoc@... wrote: > > Some of you know that our son will be graduating from high school in June. > Just wanted to share that he made the honor roll this quarter, after making > the merit roll (just below hr) for the two previous quarters. This has been > his goal since he started high school and he finally, as he so aptly put it, > scratched and fought his way to the top...lol! He has overcome many obstacles > along the way...like bullying, a lack of understanding by his peers and > learning disabilities(such as dysgraphia), to get to the place he is in now. He > has had a girlfriend since October and they will be going to his senior prom > together in May. Even though he doesn't have a driver's license and his > future beyond high school remains unclear, he does have lots of determination and > a strong faith...both of these things will help him find his place in this > world. Hope this encourages those of you with younger children... > > Blessings, > Gail > PS did anyone see the depiction of AS on " Boston Legal " this Tuesday? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 OH just my two cents.. I suggest shopping around.. Because yes you will get different diagnoses. However, you can decide which one to show to whom including medical insurance.. I believe.. ( at least here in Canada.. ) and you only have to disclose one to the school to get services. An autism diagnoses goes a LOT further than ADHD -- RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, AS & HFA? My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems but might get vastly different services. Best wishes, Tabitha Well, quite sure I was talking about " shopping around " for a specific dx just because other people wouldn't like one over the other. If my child was dx'd incorrectly, as I said, it would be important to find a doctor who would be able to look into that. Roxanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 Hello, Where is Dr. Tsai from? what state? korea_48446 <korea_48446@...> wrote: -Clemy, Did your son work with Dr. Tsai? Our son did for several yrs.He dx'ed our son at 9 or 10yrs. old, while our son was at his worst. It was his last adm. to childrens psy. in hosp. I like this Dr. because he will say, " we don't know everything about AS, and were still learning from the children growing up now. He's asked our son to speak at some of his lectures. I don't know if he will have time with college and work. Dr. Tsai is one of the Drs. trying to change AS in the DMS book...he doesn't feel it is Autisum. He is one of them that feels AS should be a dx. by itself...he's worked with research on this, and he has a grown son with Autisum..he's quite soft spoken man. It would be nice if you were able to put his article on the messageboard so all could read it. God Bless Connie T. -- In , " mcclem4748 " <mcclem4748@...> wrote: > > Dr Tsai presented some research which talked about how children are > often misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-polar, and finally Asperger's. > My son now 22 followed the same diagnostic process and wasn't > diagnosed until he was 18. I have a copy of his article and am happy > to email it to you if you are interested. > > Clemy > > > > > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems > and > > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with > those > > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their > own > > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an > attempt to > > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way > and why > > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent > wants > > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as > when > > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar > problems > > but might get vastly different services. > > > > Best wishes, > > Tabitha > > > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: > Autism, > > AS & > > HFA? > > > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same > reason > > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or > parent in > > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and > as such > > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding > a > > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will > actually > > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child > you > > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on > after > > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally > got up > > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now > being > > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors > are not > > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete > idiots. If > > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way > off > > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone > who > > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get > is not > > a > > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had > to find > > new > > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a > decent > > one. > > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at > Children's > > hospitals. > > > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second > opinion. > > But > > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a > specific > > dx > > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because > you > > like > > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and > wrong. > > > > Roxanna > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 Hi clemy, I would be interested in seeing a copy of Dr. tsai's article. could you also, please tell me what state he is in? If not too far from N.Y. I would be interested in seeing him. mcclem4748 <mcclem4748@...> wrote: Dr Tsai presented some research which talked about how children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-polar, and finally Asperger's. My son now 22 followed the same diagnostic process and wasn't diagnosed until he was 18. I have a copy of his article and am happy to email it to you if you are interested. Clemy > > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems > but might get vastly different services. > > Best wishes, > Tabitha > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, > AS & > HFA? > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same reason > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or parent in > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and as such > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding a > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will actually > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child you > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on after > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally got up > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now being > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors are not > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete idiots. If > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way off > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone who > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get is not > a > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had to find > new > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a decent > one. > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at Children's > hospitals. > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second opinion. > But > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a specific > dx > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because you > like > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and wrong. > > Roxanna > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 I also would be interested in this article due to my son for years being dx as " just " ADHD and then Bi-polar. My oldest has been dx with ADHD, Bipolar, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder. But three of my boys were also exposed to lead paint when they where little from a house we lived in. 's level was the worst at being 54, and then my other two was in the 20's. For everyone who doesn't know, any level over 10 back then, now it is 5, does a lot of brain chemical damage. Now my youngest was not exposed and he is " normal. " Thanks, Rose <beachbodytan2002@...> wrote: Hi clemy, I would be interested in seeing a copy of Dr. tsai's article. could you also, please tell me what state he is in? If not too far from N.Y. I would be interested in seeing him. mcclem4748 <mcclem4748@...> wrote: Dr Tsai presented some research which talked about how children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-polar, and finally Asperger's. My son now 22 followed the same diagnostic process and wasn't diagnosed until he was 18. I have a copy of his article and am happy to email it to you if you are interested. Clemy > > My son was initially DX'ed with ADHD and nothing else. Had I not > " shopped around " I would still be in the dark on his true problems and > he would not be getting the help he needs. While I disagree with those > who are wanting a trendy or personally acceptable label for their own > strange reasons, for the vast majority I feel it is simply an attempt to > get at the truth. I hope you can understand why I feel this way and why > a parent might do this for purely good reasons. P.S. In regards to > those running around trying to get an Autism VS. Aspergers VS. ADHD > label (either way) it may not just be a matter of what the parent wants > to hear but getting the right label to get the child services, as when > you narrow it down that much the label is indicative of similar problems > but might get vastly different services. > > Best wishes, > Tabitha > > RE: ( ) What is the difference between: Autism, > AS & > HFA? > > I imagine the reason the parents " shop around " a bit is the same reason > most people do that with any doctor for any problem. Sadly, many > doctors don't care, don't pay attention, or are limited by their > personal experience base in giving diagnosis. The patient, or parent in > this case, inevitably knows more of the history and symptoms and as such > should have some input in their childs DX. The problem is finding a > doctor who will listen, understand what is going on and will actually > give an appropriate diagnosis. In order to best serve your child you > HAVE to shop around a bit sometimes. For instance, my Aunt has had > epilepsy for over 15 years. She kind of knew what was going on after > awhile but her doctors kept telling her it was stress or some other > nonsense. So for years she lived with non-answers. She finally got up > the will to really pursue it and after numerous negative tests, she > finally got an EEG that caught her epilepsy in action. She is now being > treated and able to live a more normal life. Basically, Doctors are not > the end all be all of knowledge, in fact, some are complete idiots. If > you know the doctor you are talking to is most likely wrong or way off > base, don't you owe it to yourself or your child to pursue someone who > will actually give you accurate information? Just my two cents.... > > > I don't agree at all. Just because you don't like the dx you get is not > a > reason to " shop around " for another doctor. We've moved and had to find > new > doctors and while it's not simple, it isn't that hard to find a decent > one. > We find good luck in asking other parents and in looking at Children's > hospitals. > > I can see if you feel there is a problem and a doctor won't take it > seriously or doesn't see the problem, you would want a second opinion. > But > I can't see shopping around to find a doc who will give you a specific > dx > because you have decided your kid has this and not that or because you > like > the way one dx sounds over another. To me, that's silly and wrong. > > Roxanna > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2006 Report Share Posted April 22, 2006 > Dear Roxanna, > I've heard of parents that keep switching doctors till they found one that > agrees with them. I don't think a parent goes to a doctor and picks a DX. > I think they keep changing doctors till they find the one that agrees with > the choice they picked. I don't understand that one? in the past, people > posted that here on this site. They disagreed with a doctor's DX, and > found another doctor that agreed with Aspergers DX???? Which is the one they > (parents) said they're child had. hummmm OK----I am one of these parents!!! My son got ASD ruled-out at 3.5yo. (too social). I believed my son had bipolar. We went to a child psychiatrist and he dx him with anxiety, disruptive behavioral disorder and his langauge disorder at 4yo. He put him on prozac and my son went manic. He then put him on a different one--celexa and he went into hypomania. After that he denied any existence of childhood bipolar and told us to come back in 4 months after school had started. He believed my sons raging and meltdowns and defiant behavior was due to his langauge disorder. Which I knew it wasn't. He was communicating great and never getting frustrated with that!! He had been getting private and school speech for over a year. Come to find out---our psych was only 1 year out of school and the school he went to--teaches that childhood bipolar does not exist. We found a psych who believed in childhood bipolar(whether my son fit the criteria or not---it would be up to him). At 5yo---he was dx with bipolar, anxiety, language disorder and possibly aspergers. He fit the ASD criteria--but we were waiting to see if he " grew-out " of any of it. Now at 6yo---he has been dx with HFA. So he is bipolar and HFA. When a Dr tells me that he isn't dx with something I think he should be dx with---I question him why. And he would have to give me complete criteria that would tell me otherwise before I accept any dx. Our first psych and his " is doesn't exist in children " --is not acceptable!! I think its great that parents question their kids' dx. As long as the parents as fully knowledgable and can " agrue " their reason why they think their child is on the spectrum. Holly --6yo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2006 Report Share Posted April 22, 2006 Hello Holly, That is scary with what you said about your first doctor. Yes, there are doctors out there that their specialty is just on one thing and everybody that goes there to that doctor will give the same DX. With all the different spectrum's out there, how can you trust a doctor to give the right DX? that is why I asked my question, what is the difference between all the spectrum's and would the strategies be the same? Roxanna answered that one for me. I think if you have an AS, HFA, PDDNOS etc, You can't do a wrong program. some will need speech, social skills, life skills, etc The big difference is like you described. Your child getting a DX of Bipolar & wrong meds. I'm sorry your child & you went through all that negative experience. I hope things are going better for you now. Holly <hollym3k@...> wrote: > Dear Roxanna, > I've heard of parents that keep switching doctors till they found one that > agrees with them. I don't think a parent goes to a doctor and picks a DX. > I think they keep changing doctors till they find the one that agrees with > the choice they picked. I don't understand that one? in the past, people > posted that here on this site. They disagreed with a doctor's DX, and > found another doctor that agreed with Aspergers DX???? Which is the one they > (parents) said they're child had. hummmm OK----I am one of these parents!!! My son got ASD ruled-out at 3.5yo. (too social). I believed my son had bipolar. We went to a child psychiatrist and he dx him with anxiety, disruptive behavioral disorder and his langauge disorder at 4yo. He put him on prozac and my son went manic. He then put him on a different one--celexa and he went into hypomania. After that he denied any existence of childhood bipolar and told us to come back in 4 months after school had started. He believed my sons raging and meltdowns and defiant behavior was due to his langauge disorder. Which I knew it wasn't. He was communicating great and never getting frustrated with that!! He had been getting private and school speech for over a year. Come to find out---our psych was only 1 year out of school and the school he went to--teaches that childhood bipolar does not exist. We found a psych who believed in childhood bipolar(whether my son fit the criteria or not---it would be up to him). At 5yo---he was dx with bipolar, anxiety, language disorder and possibly aspergers. He fit the ASD criteria--but we were waiting to see if he " grew-out " of any of it. Now at 6yo---he has been dx with HFA. So he is bipolar and HFA. When a Dr tells me that he isn't dx with something I think he should be dx with---I question him why. And he would have to give me complete criteria that would tell me otherwise before I accept any dx. Our first psych and his " is doesn't exist in children " --is not acceptable!! I think its great that parents question their kids' dx. As long as the parents as fully knowledgable and can " agrue " their reason why they think their child is on the spectrum. Holly --6yo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2006 Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 In California, if your child is dx'd with Asperger's, you aren't guaranteed Regional Center services -- respite is just one of the services available (depending on need, I believe) along with behavioral therapy, social skills and other things. They are the 'payor of last resort,' behind the school district, but the diagnosis apparently has to be autism. California is just one state where the label most definitely can matter. If I understand it correctly, PDD-NOS is the most 'mild' form of an autism spectrum disorder (and I use the term 'mild' loosely, as children with PDD-NOS still need real help). Then there's Asperger's, then high-functioning, then 'classic' autism. Honestly, I think there's a ton of overlap, and it depends on what area(s) the particular child is worse in. Some doctors/professionals determine which 'category,' so to speak, a little differently, and some blur the lines more than others, but with a developmental disorder, and with most children not displaying themselves the same way 24/7 (which is understandable, who does?) it's not a black-and-white definition. The reason it is important is because labels drive services -- without a diagnosis, a child won't necessarily get the right type of therapy, treatment, services, etc. My son is extremely verbal and very bright, but he had a speech delay (a symptom related to autism, not Asperger's) and his aggression/tantrums, sensory issues, self-injurious behavior, repetitive movements/speech, social issues and communication issues (as speech and communication are two entirely separate things) are real indicators he has issues. If I said Asperger's, he may not necessarily be even assessed for the right things. I never wanted an autism label, but he's not Asperger's, and he needs the services -- autistic tendencies, childhood autism, high-functioning autism, etc.., I don't care what they call it as long as he gets the help that sadly insurance won't provide. Donna beachbodytan2002 wrote: > Hello everyone, > > How would you describe a HFA person to a description of an AS > person? what is the difference? There is a lot of talk with people > wondering if their child is AS or HFA. It seems like the DX is so > close that it is hard to tell which one a child is. I'm trying to > understand " why " this is so important with a DX of a child. would > one DX be more higher functioning than the other? Are the > strategies different? Does a HFA DX have different concerns than an > AS DX? There seems to be a big difference between Autism and > Aspergers. But from what I've been reading from your post, HFA & > Aspergers seems to be almost the same. Would Autism be the most > severe, than Aspergers be high function, and then HFA be border line > of NT? > I'm still going to work with my AS son the same way as I have been. > only because he's doing well so far. " Thank God " But, I would still > like to educate myself and know the difference between the two " DX " , > and this is the best place to learn. I can learn information from > people that have children with a DX than from a teacher that only > has a child for a little while or a doctor that learned from a > book. the best teachers are you parents that live with their > children & post their experiences. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2006 Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 I think the biggest technical 'symptom' criteria between the two is speech delay vs. no speech delay. My HFA son (had speech delay) seeks friends, sometimes, but they have to play his way, with his things, he wants to win, he must control the outcome and the entire process, and if not, watch out. He's not 'communicating' with them other than to tell them how to do it most of the time, or to talk with them about Pokemon (his obsession, a monstrously huge 24/7 obsession where Pokemon are everywhere, all the time, sigh) and many times, they simply co-exist -- the other child plays with cars, my son plays with his Pokemon. I'm not so sure he wants a 'friend' as in 'I need friends,' but he does seek that interaction to an extent though he can't handle it for long and often, he is mean to them, tells them to leave, or ends up in a corner somewhere with his Gameboy, totally ignoring them. It's how he handles the relationship and interaction that matters, from what I've been told. It's sad, as a result, 'friends' have birthday parties and he's not invited. And it's not the child, at the ages of 5, 6, 7 -- it's the parent not being understanding enough or willing enough to be compassionate. Really, really sad to see. (He did get two invites the last two weeks though, one from a very close friend of mine, another from a friend whose child is also on the spectrum -- thank God!) I think for now, there's as many definitions out there as there are kids, LOL! Joanna wrote: > At my sons last appointment with the pediatrician there was a resident from the childrens hospital there with him and he was explaining to him one of the differences between Aspergers and HFA is that Aspergers kids want friends but dont have the social skills to make of keep them, where as HFA kids don't really care if they have friends or not, they like being on their own. > - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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