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Post by catseye on Nov 6, 2003 15:06:46 GMT -5
Parent teacher conferences did NOT go well at all!!! I am sooooo angry  .... I noticed during the whole meeting they kept using words like "obessesed" or "compulsive"... I may be blonde, but I am not a complete idiot, I KNOW what they are trying to "label" her with now... We finally get the violent behavior under control, this child is labeled with about any dissorder I have ever heard of.... On a very high dose of medication for her size and weight... NOW they want to say "oh wait maybe she has this too".... WT?!!!!! Im not sure I can take much more!!! Is there anyway to know for sure what she has, and how to treat it?? Can a child possibly have as much wrong with her as they think?? FYI Currently on IEP sd is labeled as: Autistic, ADHD, PDD-NOS, POHI, Hearing Impaired.... We went along with all the "labels" being told the more labels the more extra help and services sd qualifies for.... I am wondering if we have made a huge mistake allowing all the labels.... SO the NEWEST symptoms that apparently are too much for the teachers are: Sd constantly saying so & so look at this (yes she does this at home also VERY annoying her brother is usually the target and he is only 2 and couldnt care less) in very loud voice even with hearing aids in.... SD constantly fidgeting, and innattentive still (I REFUSE to up the dose any more at 40lbs she takes 40mg adderall xr per day plus clonodine .1 mg)... Sd "picking" at things ie clothes (her own things), strings in pockets ect... This is where they kept saying it seems to be compulsive, and obsessive... Im just so lost!!  Any help? Suggestions? Ideas? Even IF it is OCD, can that be helped?? I just feel sick to my stomach  , and I am sorry for venting on you all!! Thanks cat |
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Lora
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Post by Lora on Nov 6, 2003 15:12:56 GMT -5
Did you ask them, "Would it really make any difference in the services she receives if she has one more dx? Does it make any difference at this point?" Really, what's the point? Are they trying to change the placement or something?
My son had an IEP, OHI, with ADHD and then an indepedent eval dx him LD. I took the dx to the school and they said he was getting all the services he could already and adding dx wouldn't make any difference. I don't know if the issue wasn't really they were afraid I wanted them to pay for the IE or not. I didn't, but you never know.
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Post by AnneM on Nov 6, 2003 15:17:07 GMT -5
Hi Cat !! Oh I am sorry to hear you had such a bad parent teacher conference and I so much agree - labelling is all very well but there comes a point when you have to say "ENOUGH!" .... Picking at things etc. is something my son has done all his life but I am certain he doesn't have OCD .... it just doesn't 'match' .... I think ALL kids have a tendency to pick at things whether it be a stray thread on a jumper (I can remember never ever being able to resist these when I was a kid!) or the spots on their faces when they become teenagers !! ... so I say be WARY of this latest label .... weigh it up against what YOU yourself witness ... if YOU feel it is obsessive behaviour then ok but get it investigated on your OWN terms ....
LOTS of GOOD LUCK ....
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Post by Veronika on Nov 6, 2003 16:47:37 GMT -5
Who feels better when they add another 'label' to your step-daughter? The principal? Teacher? IEP? It sure as hell isn't you or your SD that feels better!! Are any of these people doctors?Do they have the RIGHT to diagnose your SD with any other disorder? NO!!! Do they feel they can compinsate for their failures by adding a 'new label' to her? Do they not realize this is a CHILD? I hope someone can answer this question because I think all of us have been looking for an answer for years...."WHY IS ADD/ADHD NOT ENOUGH FOR THE SCHOOLS?" Are they that stupid that they don't see how hard having ADD/ADHD is for a child? Why don't they educate themselves on it before judging a child? If I were you I would ask why your SD is allowed to go to that school. With all of her 'disorders' she should be in a special school that helps her through her daily life!! Give me a break!! And yes, when it comes to the 'schools' I get VERY UPSET! That's why I'm not in the Education forum very often. The members would probably kick me out!  |
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Post by Linda on Nov 6, 2003 17:30:27 GMT -5
To answer your first question Veronika...YES they can be that stupid.If your kid already has one label on him...what the hell//lets put another on him!  :-/Do what you have to do cat....fight for your kids rights..you can borrow my hat! |
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MommaToFive
Full Member
With God all things are possible!!
Posts: 113
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Post by MommaToFive on Nov 6, 2003 18:10:23 GMT -5
Cat, I am so very sorry the conference went so badly... I truly feel for you and sd... This is one of the very reasons I am pulling my ds9 out of public school!! We are having similar problems with the school district.. Matter of fact I have contacted my lawyer and I have grounds to sue the district.... Still deciding on this... I agree with the others... Does it really make a difference?? I think not!! If it is something you think needs to be investigated than go for it hun!! But only if you think there is a reason.... Fight for that baby!! You are her voice and you know we are all right behind you!!!! Hang in there hun!!!! Erin |
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Kymn
Member
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Post by Kymn on Nov 6, 2003 19:35:37 GMT -5
cat my heart is just breaking for you I just dont understand when teachers dont try and learn about the kids who dont fit into the norm.If your a teacher shouldnt you love kids all kids and want to help them no matter what.SSHEEEESH !! I am lucky enough that derek is going to a christian private school.THe teachers are not paid as much as public so you really know that they want to be there and they care at least in my experience so far.Do what ever it takes to get whats best for your child.We are all here to support you heck we'd all probably write them letters if you wanted even x rated ;D DOnt know what else to say but my heart feels for you Let us know what happens Kymn |
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Post by catseye on Nov 6, 2003 19:50:20 GMT -5
After my minivent, ok megavent!!! LOL I got to thinking could these newest "symptoms" according to the teachers be side effects of the medication she is on?? Or were these symptoms burried by the violent behavior?? Heck maybe they were there all along, they just wanted the violence stopped first...
The adderall she has been on for over a year, but the clonodine we just started end of september...
I do trust the school, or at least that they are doing what is on the IEP... BUT I hate it when they try make these "educational" diagnosis to get these extra services or whatever.... I wonder if they get more money the more " Dissabled" the kid is!!
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Post by eaccae on Nov 6, 2003 23:45:53 GMT -5
Regarding the OCD - DD (not ADHD) will be 4 in two weeks. The pediatrician and I have been (for 2 years now) and will be keeping an eye on her for OCD. She is too young to really make a diagnosis (and if we need to - it will be with a neorpsychologist) and we are trying behavior modifications. My pediatrician is hoping that we can channel some of these things in a different direction. It is slowly but surely working for some things. But the things we are having problems with go beyond picking at clothes. She has to go down the stairs a very specific way, she has specific rituals for things like opening the door, getting in and out of the car, etc. Certain things have to be placed specifically in a certain way, things have to be done in a very specific order, etc. And we, the family, have to do things in specific ways - we have been integrated into her ritual. There are certain things that I can and cannot do during the car ritual for example! When we deviate from them we have to start over - doesn't matter if we deviate for two straight weeks consistently - we can have hysterical crying for hours because she wants to go back and do it correctly! (We are conquering one ritual at a time). Its the rituals that, I believe, are more of a sign of OCD. There are so many kids that pick at things - that doesn't make you, IMO, compulsive or obsessive. And good Lord, my whole family (minus DD) fidgets like crazy people (me, DH, DS). Maybe they should come observe my DD for a day - they will probably change their minds about compulsive and obsessive.
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Post by TexasMom on Nov 6, 2003 23:56:20 GMT -5
The first thing I thought of when I read your description of her behavior was ticks. It's something to think of.
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Post by mommy007 on Nov 7, 2003 6:57:31 GMT -5
The school wanted to lable my ADHD son last year with OCD, Non-specific Anxiety disorder and Touretts syndrom. (tics- verbal and physical)
Yes . he had the signes. .
We took him off meds - they went away!
What he was diagnosed with was "med. induced Touretts syndrom". by a doctor.
The teachers may really see these things, but it's up to us to conclude what it "really" is.
Has your child had any med breaks?
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Post by catseye on Nov 7, 2003 9:04:35 GMT -5
Not really, and definately not at school.. The only breaks we were takeing was on the weekends... The violence and outbreaks got too much with out medication and we started using it on the weekends even about 3 weeks ago...
From eaccae description I highly doubt it is OCD... I think it is more likely the medication side effects... Sd does have rituals, but not to that extent... Thanks everyone for being here, to hear me whine, and complain!!
cat
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Post by HollyNTx on Nov 7, 2003 9:12:18 GMT -5
Couldn't those just be part of the autism?
There are so many things that can go along with autism,( saying the same things over and over, fidgeting, or rocking, etc..) not to mention the add/adhd.
I would certainly go with your gut instinc on what you feel is the right thing to do and not let the school push you into something that you do not feel right about.
These are our babies and they dont need more stress then they already have in their lives.
My son's teacher in 5th grade said that he would just be sittting in his chair in his own world playing with pocket fuz and jsut oblivious to anything else going on.
He hates tags in his clothing. he has to rip them out of his clothes.
I would not consider my child OCD.
here is a little piece from a site called NIMH
quote [Repetitive behaviors and obsessions
Although children with autism usually appear physically normal and have good muscle control, odd repetitive motions may set them off from other children. A child might spend hours repeatedly flicking or flapping her fingers or rocking back and forth. Many flail their arms or walk on their toes. Some suddenly freeze in position. Experts call such behaviors stereotypes or self-stimulation.
Some people with autism also tend to repeat certain actions over and over. A child might spend hours lining up pretzel sticks. Or, like Alan, run from room to room turning lights on and off.
Some children with autism develop troublesome fixations with specific objects, which can lead to unhealthy or dangerous behaviors. For example, one child insists on carrying feces from the bathroom into her classroom. Other behaviors are simply startling, humorous, or embarrassing to those around them. One girl, obsessed with digital watches, grabs the arms of strangers to look at their wrists.
For unexplained reasons, people with autism demand consistency in their environment. Many insist on eating the same foods, at the same time, sitting at precisely the same place at the table every day. They may get furious if a picture is tilted on the wall, or wildly upset if their toothbrush has been moved even slightly. A minor change in their routine, like taking a different route to school, may be tremendously upsetting.
Scientists are exploring several possible explanations for such repetitive, obsessive behavior. Perhaps the order and sameness lends some stability in a world of sensory confusion. Perhaps focused behaviors help them to block out painful stimuli. Yet another theory is that these behaviors are linked to the senses that work well or poorly. A child who sniffs everything in sight may be using a stable sense of smell to explore his environment. Or perhaps the reverse is true: he may be trying to stimulate a sense that is dim. ] end quote.
here is one more from the same site.
quote [Apparently, as a result of a brain malfunction, many children with autism are highly attuned or even painfully sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, and smells. Some children find the feel of clothes touching their skin so disturbing that they can't focus on anything else.] end quote
hope this helps some.
Holly
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~~~~Erin~~~~ 