I forgot to mention that me and the Doctor talked about Little Prince's diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The Doctor didn't seem impressed with the way Little Prince had been diagnosed with ASD, and said normally there would be an ADOS or DISCO assessment, both of which take 3-4 hours, and neither of which Little Prince has undertaken. He said that he could refer Little Prince to the CAHMS unit attached to this hospital, for a more formal assessment of ASD if we wanted. However, he did acknowledge that the diagnosis has given Little Prince much needed support at school and that the advice they have been given by the Autism Team has really helped them cope more effectively with Little Prince. In the end we decided to leave things as they are for now and see how Little Prince gets on and review this decision in the future. He also said that it is now recognised that ADHD, ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia are very commonly seen as co-morbid conditions and that it can be very difficult to work out what the core problem is.
Another affect of ASD can be that the child is more sensitive to the ADHD medication, so the Doctor has started him on a fairly low dose of the medicine. He is on a long acting form of the medication, which means he will have to take one tablet each morning, which will take roughly 30 minutes to be affective and then last for 8 hours. This will cover him throughout his school day and the early part of the evening.
So we shall see what tomorrow brings.... But right now I'm off to stuff my face with junk food and my brain with trashy novel :-)
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25th May 2009 - See New Child again & Court Date
23rd May 2009 - Fly back to Ethiopia
26th March 2009 - Fly to Ethiopia :-)
3rd March 2009 - Dossier Arrived at Orphanage
26th February 2009 - Dossier sent to Ethiopia
22nd December 2008 - Dossier back at DCSF
28th November 2008 - Certificate of Eligibility ISSUED
6th October 2008 - PASSED Approval Panel
7th July 2008 - Homestudy Update Started
28th Feb 2008 - Told LA we wished to change country
LID (Logged in Date) with CCAA 16th August 2007
Documents to China 10th August 2007
Passed Approval Panel 5th March 2007
Homestudy started 6th June 2006
First Contact with our LA 1st Jan 2006
8 comments:
That all sounds like it went as well as it could :) Sounds like he was on "top" form and I can see why they prescribed it then and there!! I know it's really sad that he's being put on medication, it absolutely breaks my heart, but it's for the best, I keep telling myself that. Hopefully the book covered the medication too so he'll be ok about taking it? I'm surprised about how controlled it is! D can't understand why we can't buy some and just give it to you (he says it's ridiculous how hard it's been for you), I wonder if it's more controlled there than here if he thought that was an option? But it at least stops people giving it to children who don't need it :)
You were both big brave dogs, I'm very proud :)
LMS
xxx
Thanks LMS :-) I read the book when the ADHD Nurse gave it to me for him, and yes it covers the medication, so hopefully he'll feel better about taking it tomorrow. I know how he feels its scary thinking how it might change him :-(
Its a controlled Class (can't remember the letter!!) drug over here, so there are severe restrictions on who can prescribe it etc. Our GP is not allowed to prescribe any more, it has to be from a Consultant level Dr. And with all the serious possible side affects, no matter how tempted, I wouldn't take it unless Little Prince was under the watchful eye of specialists.
I'm not feeling very brave, just worried at the moment. If in a week or so's time I can see it has a positive effect then maybe I'll feel better?!
LLL
Mummy
xxxxx
Hi Janet,
I'm sure little prince will cope much better with the medication and side effects than you will so keep remembering the DR thinks its the right thing and you've spent a lot of time trying other things that haven't helped enough for him. You are a good Mum, you are doing whats right for your child forget the other Mums in the playground and elsewhere its not them who is dealing with it - someone very special told me that once.
As for a DISCO and ADOS assessment, they would take about 3hours in total because the ADOS is only a 45min test/ play situation it may be extended to 1 1/2 hours if they set him off on the wrong test and have to redo another one. If you decide to do it I'm sure it will be for the best.
Love and hugs
Lil Sis
Hi Lil Sis,
I know in my head (well mostly!) that we are doing the right thing for Little Prince and that he actually NEEDS this help to reach his potential. After all I didn't second guess myself when he needed help with a broken bone!! And this medicine will just fix a different part of him that isn't working quite as it should. But my heart is breaking for my special little man, its such a powerful drug to be giving such a young child and the side affects if he suffers from them are truly terrifying. I also have to remind myself that leaving him to cope on his own without medication, could lead to disastrous "side affects" many people with ADHD can turn to "self medication" with alcohol or drugs if not helped when they are younger.
I'm sure I'll feel MUCH better once I've collected him from school - I'm counting the minutes!! When I can SEE for myself how he is and that he is ok.
Thanks for the ADOS/DISCO info, we can talk about it at weekend. I'm happy for the Doctor to leave things as they are for now and see how Little Prince gets on with the medication, before we try and "fix" anything else!! And the ASD diagnosis has lead to him and school coping so much better than they used to, so its useful in that way.
See you on Sunday#
Love
Janet
xxx
He's an outspoken little monster, if it makes him feel any weird side affects, he'll tell you! Maybe make it clear to him that he IS to tell you, but try and avoid the hypochondriac in him. He's going to be fine, he's an amazingly intelligent little boy, with enough other things to hold him back, this one you CAN "fix" and it stops him being at such a disadvantage and help him do what he is able. Just think, if he can calm down enough to concentrate and focus his energy, he could be the next Ty Pennington :) He has the heart and the energy, he just needs the concentration!!
LMS
xxx
Hi LMS,
I'm definitely not telling Little Prince what the potential side affects could be - like you say he has hypochondriac tendencies and I don't want to give him any ideas lol.
I'm really hoping that this medication will help him reach his potential, which as he's so bright and such a lovely lad - the sky's the limit :-) And yes Ty Pennington is a good example of how to focus all that energy :-)
LLL
Mummy
xxxxx
Oh yes, I didn't mean tell him what to watch out for, just to make sure to tell you if he feels different or anything lol He likes EM:HE doesn't he? So he'd probably like having Ty as a role model lol I'm SO pleased that it's had such a big effect already :)
LMS
xxx
Hi LMS,
Don't worry he still tells me every slight ailment!!
I'll see if EM:HE is on this weekend to remind him about Ty, and see how he responds :-)
LLL
Mummy
xxxxx
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