Rayne

My mother is an employee (18 years and counting, more than that if you count her subbing before hire) to one of Wayne County's only school specifically for Autistic children. She has had classrooms from high functioning (Asperger's Syndrome and some PDD-NOS) to low functioning (ASD and PDD-NOS). Her current classroom is mixed this year, which they haven't done in the past. So there was no real lack of information when my son was diagnosed in 2006. I had already known a lot about it from helping in Mom's classrooms through the years. I think in your first statement you were confusing Autism and other ASD's (Autism Spectrum Disorders) as I was saying Down's Syndrome ... that's a whole different thing entirely. Homonyms are a part of the English language, there's nothing wrong with them ... especially as pertaining to a medical definition and a non medical definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum There are many different forms of Autism now. Remember the big "Autism Epidemic" about two years ago where everyone was panicking that the Autism rate had DRASTICALLY risen? What most people didn't know is that the only reason it SEEMED like the numbers were going up is they redid the classifications and created the Autism Spectrum. The number of cases of TRUE Autism (which is normally lower functioning and can not function in the outside world without considerable help) has stayed pretty steady. Even off those three branches listed in the Wiki site, there are more. Also, any diagnosis prior to the creation of the Spectrum, about 2 years ago, would simply be diagnosed as "Autistic" and not classified low or high functioning as it is today.

Autism of that form is called Asperger's Syndrome -- that is what my son has. It falls high on the Autism Spectrum and most Aspies are high functioning and some can even function with limited to on their own as adults. And I fail to see how your are reading the two separate definitions of "disorder" as being too closely related. They are very different. A medical definition citing specific signs and symptoms vs. a lack of order .... they aren't the same.

True stories ... all of it. Never a dull moment around here. I had more, but it was starting to get too long.

Last figures I heard, most birth control pills are more effective than *pretty much* any other method out there. I know Depo and some IUD's are slightly more effective on a larger scale. I know, personally, I have three children that were conceived on some form of birth control and a tubal ligation that only lasted about 2 years.

I fully agree that medication is overused. I think there are a great deal of children and adults out there that do not need the medication, but for some reason are prescribed by a PCP, who isn't trained in psychiatry or was just put on them because the doctor didn't want to research other things. Or even their conditions are episodic and are being treated as chronic or clinical. I'm not saying that it is not overused. I think it is. BUT -- I can't ignore the fact that there are people (both children and adults) that DO need the medication to live a stable balanced life and medication is the best course of treatment for them (along with other things like diet, exercise and therapy, of course). And some of that is needed long term to maintain balance.

Annoyed ... it is very difficult to talk to a lawyer who is already in a hurry when your standing in the same room as a dog who sounds like he's being tortured (really, he was just in his cage -- which he HATES).

I have seen cases of ADHD where the cause was nutritional. For some reason a child wasn't getting a well balanced diet. Put them on a well balanced diet and instantly cured. I have also seen this with food allergies and sensitivities. I'm totally not disagreeing, I know our psychiatrists always tried that route first, with no success.

But I DO drive a Mazda, that has to give me some points.

You got something against lawyers SK?

Me three with the headache.

I learned about rocks today in Science Lecture ... they are actually pretty interesting, in their own little way.

For the record, this entire post offended me greatly, as my TEN YEAR OLD is on anti-depressants, because she NEEDS THEM. She's also on a strict low sugar diet. DO you think we didn't try all the many diets they have out there to treat ADHD to begin with? That was our first option. Medication was last. We've been through a lot of different psychiatrists because I felt many were just trying to overmedicate my daughter (something I wish to avoid, like the plague). We've been through a few different therapists because they didn't "mesh well" with my daughter and it's important to have a connection with your therapist. I have been through countless training and classes myself both independently and under the advise of her clinitians. I also have an Autistic son. He is not on medication. He will be 7 in a few weeks. He doesn't need them -- right now. That's not to say he won't in the future, only time will tell. And we are very aware of the side effects, you wouldn't believe how much I research medication before signing the consent form, and how many I have turned down because I felt the treatment wouldn't benefit next to the lists of downsides. But you really need to put it in perspective as a parent ... what's more important, your child being able to function socially, emotionally and behaviourally (among others, of course), or the possible side effects you may face because of that medication? And for the multitude of combinations she has been tried on, there are only TWO medications she had side effects to. One was severe and was replaced with a different type and one was very mild and went away in a few days. What you said above, was very ignorant to the practice of medicine as a whole. Doctors (of all types, and psychiatrists are MD's first) are specfically trained in dealing with these types of things on a daily basis. This is what they do, for YEARS before even becoming a treating physician. This is what they spend their money on their education for. This is what they have to pass strict medical licensing procedures. This is why I trust them with my health, or my children's.

I don't ... you're right. I don't buy into it and frankly, I, personally never will. I have several medical conditions myself and I'm sorry if I value my life enough to take the advice from the professional who went to school for many years to be licensed to do it. I chose to get myself and my children treated by licensed professionals. There's nothing unacceptable about that, as you seem to believe there is. You called me "disgusting" for treating my psychotic daughter with medication ... when that has been the only thing (along WITH therapy) that has HELPED her. What you do to yourself is your own decision, but don't tell me I am wrong for doing what I believe is the right thing.

My daughter (as an example) has MULTIPLE psychological disorders. She was diagnosed at THREE with the majourity, and a few more as she got older. She's been on meds since she was 5 and in regular therapy since she was 4. To say that giving my daughter her medication which keep her able to function in society is "disgusting" is ignorant. My daughter tried to hurt herself. She has tried to hurt others. She had a brief stay in a psychiatric hospital at NINE YEARS OLD! My mother tried to kill herself when I was 5. I had to call 911. She had taken herself off of her medication. She has clinical depression. She will NEVER be off of medication. You're entitled to your own opinion ... and if that works for you, that's great ... but, you really have no idea.

He said it better than I did. I blame the BlackBerry keyboard, so much more I want to say but I get frustrated with the tiny keyboard and generalize it all.

I disagree. There are people with chronic or clinical illnesses that can only cope for so long without the medication. It doesn't mean they are weak or can't cope, it just means they need it to live a more normal and satisfying life.

Even if you are on a low dose, don't stop any meds without a doctor's assistance. It can be extremely dangerous for both yourself and others. She's right. I know several people on Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin combos that it works for them. I know some people that it makes worse. Every psychotropic med is like that and it may be awhile until you find the right one for you.anti-depressants have a way of making some conditions amplify if wrongly treated too so you may want to make sure you have the correct diagnosis from a psychiatrist before going any further.

That movie was filmed on our street. ... It was an interesting experience.

You Are a Stable Green Car You are responsible and careful. You don't like to make waves or take too many risks. When it comes to life, you're in it for the long haul. You try to live as well as possible every day. You also believe that slow and steady wins the race. You value consistency and patience. You are a stabilizing influence in people's lives. You can calm down and help out when things get chaotic. The Car Oracle Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Kind of confused. And even after a week of meds, this infection doesn't seem to be letting up. *worried* ... This is often how I end up in the hospital.

Tomorrow will be nice.

I am feeling that I still do not like the new Mazda's ... As I sit here staring at them stuck at the dealership waiting for my own car to get done.

Having a car in the garage. (no tools, no room in the garage and currently, I can not lift my garage door) Reading for enjoyment. (all I read now is textbooks and class related stuff) Driving because I just felt like it. (I drive way too much on a daily basis to even care anymore)

I usually go with my Mom because she is the only person who can watch my daughter (so she just goes with to watch her) ... but she broke her arm back in the beginning of summer and it still hasn't healed yet.