Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Parent Support Forums
Parent Emeritus
Worn out step-mom
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="buddy" data-source="post: 486900" data-attributes="member: 12886"><p>Hi, welcome to this cool group of people. Dont need to apologize for your feelings here... or be embarrassed. Your feelings are normal and you took on a huge responsibility by joining this family. I am sure there are rewards or you would not have done it, but I dont think any of us could have predicted what life as a parent of a difficult child (gift from God) would involve fully. </p><p></p><p>So, some questions.... What kind of insurance does she have, is she on disability? SSI? If she has not had a recent evaluation, not the kind from a psychiatrist, it might be a good time to do that because then some doors can open up. Sad to say, but many psychiatrists will just label teh symptoms they see in the office and nto do a complete evaluation. If you possibly can, see if you can get a neuropsychologist evaluation done. This will be more useful because it will help you see what her strengths and weaknesses are. It will help show how she thinks and learns and they can recommend therapies for her. They will be able to give you more useful diagnoses. One thing that I am wondering about is Autism Spectrum disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (same thing but different medical book). She should probably also have an Occupational Therapist (OT) evaluation. They will look at her motor skills and ability to do daily living skills and how it is connected to motor planning, physical issues, etc. They can help her work around the weight issue too. They will also be able to look at sensory issues which can have a huge impact on behavior. She should also have a communication evaluation (speech/language) to help look at her strengths and weaknesses in social conversation skills.</p><p></p><p>Autism is a possiblity but of course we cant see he thru cyber space and you can so if this seems totally off base I understand She does need habilitative therapy and there are usually good programs for adults. I have worked in thru college and grad school, vocational programs, (pre work skills etc.). </p><p></p><p>The reason I am wondering about autism is.....If she is a toe walker, that is highly correlated with autism, and the fact that she has no friends etc. could mean she does not have the communication skills needed to have them which (among other things) could also can be a sign of autism. Does she have things she does over and over and over? Does she have any sensory issues like sensitve to fabrics, touch, sound, smells, bright lights? Does she fixate on things.... parts of things??? How does she do with change in routine or a change in plans? Does she do better if you stick to a consistent way of doing things? Does she like a varitey of foods or is she eating (though alot) only certain kinds of foods or textures of foods etc. ? </p><p></p><p>Regardless of the diagnosis, the important thing for her right now is to do what you are thinking of... develop better independent living skills. There are many good programs now and once people get going in them they often really like it, but it is hard to convince people at first because change is hard for everyone, especially hard for someone with special needs. </p><p></p><p>To answer your question about ability.... I bet she is quite capable of doing more for herself. THere are ways to teach these skills step by step...often working from the last step backwards.... so you/therapist...helps to wash then leaves the last little bit for her to do, then you stop a step earllier then backing up until they are doing the whole thing. She may need adaptive equipment to help with reaching and motor skill issues. I have seen people with IQ's in the 40's and 50's do very well in semi-independent living skill programs! There is always hope especially if she really has not even had a chance yet! </p><p></p><p>So, I know it is a lot but what do you have to lose? IF you possibly can, call around for adult services (your county developmental disability department for adults should really be able to help and you can even ask for a case manager who can help you get her SSI if she doesn't have it (maybe she does since her mom died?...others here know more about that) and other funding for programs , including transportation to and from therapies and day programs. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Bless your heart for taking this on. YOu need to be healthy and be able to enjoy this new journey! Yes, she is special and deserving, but so are you.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="buddy, post: 486900, member: 12886"] Hi, welcome to this cool group of people. Dont need to apologize for your feelings here... or be embarrassed. Your feelings are normal and you took on a huge responsibility by joining this family. I am sure there are rewards or you would not have done it, but I dont think any of us could have predicted what life as a parent of a difficult child (gift from God) would involve fully. So, some questions.... What kind of insurance does she have, is she on disability? SSI? If she has not had a recent evaluation, not the kind from a psychiatrist, it might be a good time to do that because then some doors can open up. Sad to say, but many psychiatrists will just label teh symptoms they see in the office and nto do a complete evaluation. If you possibly can, see if you can get a neuropsychologist evaluation done. This will be more useful because it will help you see what her strengths and weaknesses are. It will help show how she thinks and learns and they can recommend therapies for her. They will be able to give you more useful diagnoses. One thing that I am wondering about is Autism Spectrum disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (same thing but different medical book). She should probably also have an Occupational Therapist (OT) evaluation. They will look at her motor skills and ability to do daily living skills and how it is connected to motor planning, physical issues, etc. They can help her work around the weight issue too. They will also be able to look at sensory issues which can have a huge impact on behavior. She should also have a communication evaluation (speech/language) to help look at her strengths and weaknesses in social conversation skills. Autism is a possiblity but of course we cant see he thru cyber space and you can so if this seems totally off base I understand She does need habilitative therapy and there are usually good programs for adults. I have worked in thru college and grad school, vocational programs, (pre work skills etc.). The reason I am wondering about autism is.....If she is a toe walker, that is highly correlated with autism, and the fact that she has no friends etc. could mean she does not have the communication skills needed to have them which (among other things) could also can be a sign of autism. Does she have things she does over and over and over? Does she have any sensory issues like sensitve to fabrics, touch, sound, smells, bright lights? Does she fixate on things.... parts of things??? How does she do with change in routine or a change in plans? Does she do better if you stick to a consistent way of doing things? Does she like a varitey of foods or is she eating (though alot) only certain kinds of foods or textures of foods etc. ? Regardless of the diagnosis, the important thing for her right now is to do what you are thinking of... develop better independent living skills. There are many good programs now and once people get going in them they often really like it, but it is hard to convince people at first because change is hard for everyone, especially hard for someone with special needs. To answer your question about ability.... I bet she is quite capable of doing more for herself. THere are ways to teach these skills step by step...often working from the last step backwards.... so you/therapist...helps to wash then leaves the last little bit for her to do, then you stop a step earllier then backing up until they are doing the whole thing. She may need adaptive equipment to help with reaching and motor skill issues. I have seen people with IQ's in the 40's and 50's do very well in semi-independent living skill programs! There is always hope especially if she really has not even had a chance yet! So, I know it is a lot but what do you have to lose? IF you possibly can, call around for adult services (your county developmental disability department for adults should really be able to help and you can even ask for a case manager who can help you get her SSI if she doesn't have it (maybe she does since her mom died?...others here know more about that) and other funding for programs , including transportation to and from therapies and day programs. Bless your heart for taking this on. YOu need to be healthy and be able to enjoy this new journey! Yes, she is special and deserving, but so are you. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Parent Support Forums
Parent Emeritus
Worn out step-mom
Top