Yesterday, I got a call from Hunter's preschool teacher. The first part of our conversation she asked me how Hunter was liking school. Of course, I was completely honest with her and told her Hunter absolutely LOVES going to school. If he could, he would go every day. He loves everything about it...riding the bus to and from school, playing with the other kids in his class, learning to write his name and his letters and numbers...everything! Then she dropped the bomb..."do you have structure in your home?" Again, I answer honestly, "yes, our home has structure, why do you ask?" In very nice words, she tells me Hunter is a wild child and has a really hard time sitting still or focusing on something for longer than a few minutes. I told her I am very aware of this issue with him and I have been doing everything I can to help him. I have always thought Hunter had ADD/ADHD, not only because it runs in my family, but because I am with Hunter 24/7, I KNOW how he is, I KNOW of his difficulty in focusing on ANYTHING. When she tells me she thinks he has ADD/ADHD, it doesn't surprise me at all.
After we got off the phone, I scheduled an appointment with our doctor to evaluate Hunter for ADD/ADHD and to see if there is anything we can give him to help him. After doing his general exam of Hunter, he started asking Hunter a bunch of questions. Hunter was able to answer a few of them, but not enough to satisfy him. He asks me a bunch of questions, like what's in his diet, does he drink soda, have sugar, what time does he go to bed at night, is it a struggle to get him to bed, does he hit himself. After he is through all of his questions, he tells me he believes Hunter has a form of behavioral Autism. My heart sank. My eyes filled with tears. It was all I could do to keep myself from crying. He is sending us to Primary's for a behavioral evaluation.
Since the appointment I have nothing but think about it, my sweet little Hunter may have Autism. I am trying to stay positive and look at the bright side. I keep telling myself, it's a VERY mild case. He will be okay. He is such a smart boy. I will keep you informed when we take him to Primary's.
On a brighter note, Zane and I get to meet with his teacher next Thursday to go over his individual learning plan, the testing the school did, our rights as parents. I am very excited about this and hope and pray putting him in preschool at 3 will help him in many ways.
After we got off the phone, I scheduled an appointment with our doctor to evaluate Hunter for ADD/ADHD and to see if there is anything we can give him to help him. After doing his general exam of Hunter, he started asking Hunter a bunch of questions. Hunter was able to answer a few of them, but not enough to satisfy him. He asks me a bunch of questions, like what's in his diet, does he drink soda, have sugar, what time does he go to bed at night, is it a struggle to get him to bed, does he hit himself. After he is through all of his questions, he tells me he believes Hunter has a form of behavioral Autism. My heart sank. My eyes filled with tears. It was all I could do to keep myself from crying. He is sending us to Primary's for a behavioral evaluation.
Since the appointment I have nothing but think about it, my sweet little Hunter may have Autism. I am trying to stay positive and look at the bright side. I keep telling myself, it's a VERY mild case. He will be okay. He is such a smart boy. I will keep you informed when we take him to Primary's.
On a brighter note, Zane and I get to meet with his teacher next Thursday to go over his individual learning plan, the testing the school did, our rights as parents. I am very excited about this and hope and pray putting him in preschool at 3 will help him in many ways.
5 comments:
Wow, Heather. This is big news. My brother has Asperger's Syndrome and you are certainly right that there are all different degrees and levels of Autism. You are an involved, loving mother and you are on this NOW and that's going to make a world of difference. He is going to come out on top and so are you. I really believe that. You are the right mother for this awesome little guy and you will lead him through this. Hugs to you.
I have a friend with a autistic son that is just a little older than Hunter. If you want her contact information, I know she would be happy to talk to you. She's an absolutely fantastic person and has done a lot of research on all the options. She became discouraged early on because there just is no consensus on the right treatment, so many choices, so many opinions. She has sorted through a bunch of it and may have some insight that may help you, including affordable treatment options and avenues to pursue since insurance will be of no assistance. Things are going in the right direction for them now. Or she can at least be someone who can understand some of your feelings, frustrations, and fears. P.S. she didn't find her appointment at Primary's very helpful.
Megan, thank you so much for your kind words. I really needed to hear...or read them today. I keep telling myself Heavenly Father gives us trials he knows we can overcome or handle. If Hunter does in fact have Autism, I know in my heart I can handle this trial.
I was just reading about Asperger's Syndrome because our doctor said something about that. I haven't really read a whole lot about it yet. I'm sure until we have our appointment, there will be LOTS of researching.
If your friend wouldn't mind, I would love to talk to her. You can email me on FB.
That was a bombshell call. I am not even worried about that cute little boy one bit....because YOU are his mom....he is so lucky to have you, and be willing to NOT stick your head in the sand and get him whatever it is that he needs! ( I have family that are complete ostriches, and it is frustrating!) You are not given anything that you can't hadle and I so believe that. Keep us posted on his findings and progress. Good Luck! ( ANd there is a program here is Lehi too!)
Wow! There is nothing worse than worrying about your kids....but I am not even worried about that cute little boy....because he has YOU!! Some people totally stink there heads in the sand and hope it goes away, but you will do whatever it takes to get the help he needs, and he is going to do GREAT!( I have family that are total ostriches about this, it is so frustratin!) He is so lucky to have you, you are not given anything that you cannot handle, and he is already sooooo loved he will be fine! I know ther is a facility in Lehi that people hav said great things about! Keep us posted!!!
This is big news, but like it's been said before, you are catching it now and so things can go a lot smoother than if it were put off and addressed later. You will be so blessed in taking care of this little guy and you are the best mother for him. Good Luck and let me know if there is anything that I can do for you!
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