Yesterday's appointment was very informational and not as terrifying as I had geared up for. The Dr. was very thorough, she answered all of our questions and concerns, she didn't talk down to us or say we were imagining things. She thinks Kaleb is a good and intelligent little boy, very funny and imaginative, she had fun working with him. We talked of many things and really focused on our biggest concerns his ad-version to other kids, his lack of focus, his constant leg pain and occasional involuntary movements, and his sensory issues.
As she observed while we talked she determined that ADHD is definitely a factor, but it isn't the only factor he scored way above normal on the autism evaluation form he has many autistic tendencies she explained the Autism Spectrum to us and thinks he is some were between Autism and PDD-NOS. At first sight she said he looks more like Aspergers but doesn't quite fit into the category because of his speech and language delays which are not typical in children with Aspergers. She explained that the ADHD can also be the cause of his language and social delays it could be that he is active and inattentive, so it may not be that he doesn't have any empathy for others, or can't read social cues, it could be that he is on the go all the time and doesn't stop and wait for a reaction or response from others.
We also have Kaleb's sensory issues that make a diagnosis difficult, she mentioned that it sounded like sensory integration disorder but this isn't really a diagnosis and there isn't much to be done for it, he will just have to learn how to live with it. Along with the sensory issues we have the leg problems he complains often of his legs hurting it seems deep pressure is the only thing that gives relief and usually just briefly, now this can be many things he could have Anemia, it could be related to his Thyroid, Restless Leg Syndrome could also be a factor, or he could just be lacking certain vitamins that his body needs, she will be order some lab work to find out more but wants to wait till after he has been tested for Autism in-case any more work needs to be added.
By the end of the appointment ADHD was given as one diagnosis, we know that won't be the only one he has but it does give us a starting point. She gave us information on ADHD and things that can help, she recommended change of diet, and visual charts to help him with tasks,she also wants him the have speech and OT therapy aside from school, specifically to work with his sensory issues, at this point we aren't doing meds because along with the above mentioned issues (anemia, thyroid, RLS) we have bi-polar tendencies and depression in our family's background that could be affected by medications for the bad as much as the good. I like that his Dr. stresses is that medications are not a cure, they are not meant to make your child into a zombie, they are meant to be used as a tool along with other tools (therapy, diet change etc) to help him to learn self control.
As you have probably notice this is A LOT of info to take in, I want to educated myself as much as I can before our next appointment, if you have or know someone that knows about any of the things mentioned above I would love for you to share. I'm also looking for any websites or books on these topics, if you have any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it.
I am so thankful to my family and many friends that have showed us support and given us uplifting words of advise, you truly are my strength! I am "overwhelmed and relieved" as a friend of mine put it, what seemed impossible to handle before seems doable now, we have some answers and a place to start, we are going to have to make a lot of adjustments as a family but I know we can. I have felt a renewal of hope since yesterdays appointment, things will get better.
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