(HOUSTON) Re: Is anyone from Texas

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

My son is 18 years old, Asperger/Autism and is a quiet, kind,

concrete, literal thinker who has passions for computers, art, music

and big dictionary words........repeat this many times over and that

is his way of life :>). We live in Carrollton, Texas (Dallas).

My son was late diagnosed too.......he has a physical abnormality of

no radius bone in both forearms so many of his young elementary

years we focused on his physical limitations and orthopedic issues.

We noticed the Autism/asperger issues, but well his intelligence got

him through his early, elementary years. We eventually got the

right diagnosis through our personal efforts and expense (got a

neurologist to correctly diagnose AS) and then pursued the school

recognizing and providing him wiht AU (autism) IEP/ARD modifications.

His high school years were filled with withdrawal, depression,

frustration, losing homework, not wanting to go to school, losing

clothes, on and on. To be short, Autism is SO UNDERFUNDED AND

INADEQUATELY ADDRESSED BY MOST SCHOOLS IT IS SHAMEFUL. He graduated

from the school, but now I am focusing my talents, energy and love

to develop his " Theory of Mind " and social-cognitive skills. He is

going to a community college, only two classes as we slowly build

his confidence back. I am striving to socialize him and we attend

various Dallas groups and events.

By the way, also had an emotional breakdown a couple of years

ago and we too are stuck in trying to get him reduced or off the

psychotropic drugs. My psychiatrist is not supportive, but he is

allowing me to do it under careful scrutiny. I have halfed his

Zoloft from 200 to 100 mg. is doing wonderful. It has taken

me four months to lower it, 25 mg a month. He takes two others -

concerta and abilify. So, as you can see it is a challenge....

MOST IMPORT THOUGH IS THAT YOU JOIN TEXAS AUTISM ADVOCACY - I can

truly tell you that two of the finest Moms in Texas are in Houston

(there are many more :>) I know Guppy is in Houston and so

is Singleton........my gosh they are wonderful women and

extremely, I mean EXTREMELY knowledgeable of contacts, programs,

school issues, legislative AUTISM bills, you name it. Please join

this group. You are truly missing over 1500 Texans who are

advocating for Autism.

Mark

>

> Hi!

> I am from Houston, Texas. This is my first time joining the

support

> group. I have also been very frustrated with schools and have

ended

> up attempting to home school. Having 2 friends is a great thing!

>

> We actually did not find out that had aspergers until

recently

> even though he is now 17 years old. He did okay in grade school

and

> we blamed any problems or issues on the fact that he has

dyslexia.

> Life was not so easy in Middle School. In 7th Grade he had a

break-

> down and was diagnosed with psychioaffective bipolar disorder and

was

> put on anti-depressants (Lexapro) and anti-psychotic (Ability)

> medications and a host of side-effect medications.

>

> I am not sure why I had retested this summer. We are very

glad

> that we did! Just wish it had been years earlier!!! I felt a

> little better when the first book I picked up on Aspergers had

> several pages discussing why it is often misdiagnosed.

>

> I have done extensive research ever since the change in diagnosis

and

> concluded that there is a very significant biological component –

> (changes in diet etc. can have a huge impact on symptoms). I have

> been attempting to find knowledgeable doctors in Houston with

little

> success since is now too old for pediatricians who appear to

> have the most knowledge. My hope is to get off all of his

> medications since they have so many side-effects.

>

> Has any one had success finding doctors in Houston and/or have

> success with biological treatments?

>

>

> Patty

>