[sabby]

My wonderful and loving oldest grandson will be 11 this month. He has always had difficulties making and keeping friends. He has always had difficulties with anger, especially at school. He has always perseverated on certain things and will do them over and over again.

My daughter has tried for 7 years to get my grandson tested for Asperger's to no avail. No one would listen, not the doctors, not the teachers, not the therapist, no one

We are not doctors or therapists but even WE KNEW there was something more wrong with him than what we were being told. Why is it that no one would listen???????

Finally, my daughter got so angry that she told everyone off and demanded he be tested. So today, Larz had his first interview with the tester. My daughter spoke with her after she spoke with Larz. My daughter said she needs to know if what we are seeing is all in our heads (we really were starting to think we were crazy ) or if there is something really there. The tester was very kind to my daughter and patted her on the shoulder and said "you are not imagining anything.....you are on the right track". FINALLY!!!!!

Even though today was not the official dx, it gave us hope and validation that our beautiful boy is not as mentally ill as we thought with ODD, bipolar and sundry other things. What a change this will make in his therapy, in his plan at school, how he is dealt with, what more can be taught to him. So many other doors can be opened up for him now and treatment will not be a crap shoot like it's been for so many years.

Larz is very high functioning within this. He also has a kind and loving spirit. He love's hugs and attention, he's bright and articulate and he's a joy to be around most times.

Finally.....the beginning of walking down a new path that we hope will bring more understanding, more help, more validation and more peace to my beloved grandson. He deserves all that and more!

[lynn P.]

It's great that your daughter has the perseverance and persistance to keep fighting for her son. It's also wonderful that you're supporting your daughter. Your support enables your daughter to support her son - a chain reaction. I hope you and your family find the answers you're looking for.

My next door neighbor has a son with high functioning Autism. It's been wonderful watching him grow and be supported by his loving family. Last Semtember he moved to Montreal in Canada, on his own and is attending University. He was diagnosed at a very young age and this helped with getting the proper help in school. Best of luck to you and your family.

[sabby]

((((((((((( lynn ))))))))))))

Thank you sweetie......

I know they have made strides in Asperger's treatment. I so love to hear when there are success stories like your neighbor That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing it

For mother's sake the child was dear,
and dearer was the mother for the child.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

[January]

I am so very, very glad for you, Lars and all your family. Good things are finally happening!

[sabby]

For mother's sake the child was dear,
and dearer was the mother for the child.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

((((((((((((( TheByzantine )))))))))))))))) Thank you for sharing that quote....it touched my heart and I will pass it along to my daughter.

((((((((((((((( January )))))))))))))))))))) I am so full of mixed emotions right now. Happy because they finally listened and validated, sad because he's not received the early interventions that could have made a huge difference in his life. Hopeful that it's not too late and he will be able to learn and grow and be part of our society in a positive way.

Anyone who has ideas, thoughts, actions taken for yourselves or your loved ones that have helped, please share them with me. I need to soak all this in and pass along what I learn to my daughter and grandson. I need understanding of what to do and how to do it for my precious boy.

[darkpurplesecrets]

((((_sabby_))))

I am happy for you, your daughter, and Larz. He is a wonderful boy and deserves to be able to know what is going on as does his mother and you. You are a wonderful loving grandmother that has been blessed by your grandson. And I know he loves you very, very much. I know you both are there for him and he could not have a better love and acceptance than from his family that love him and has stood by him for so long.

I am glad that someone finally listened and that something is now being done. Please know that you, your daughter, Larz, and all the family is being held in my thoughts and prayers. I know now that things will get better for Larz and he will continue to blossom into the bright and wonderful boy he is.

Sending many gentle hugs and loving thoughts. Always. Love you all.

dps

[sabby]

Thank you so much my dear friend ((((((((((((((((((( dps )))))))))))))))))

I'm crying right now......your words have touched me and I so appreciate you.

Thank you.......................

[darkpurplesecrets]

((((((_sabby_))))))

You are so welcome my dear friend. Those words are spoken from love and truth. He could not have anyone better than his loving grandma and mother and family surrounding him at this time. He is a wonderful, beautiful boy who takes after his family.

I am truly sorry that he has had to go for so long before they finally listened but because you all kept pushing and searching there is hope for him to be as okay as he can be. And he will be.

Know that your tears are okay and they are felt here too. We hold not only your grandson up but you my friend. For this is the release that you have been waiting for for so long and I am so happy that finally there is an answer from which something can be worked from.

All my love to you, Larz, his mom, and your family who stands behind him and has never given up on figuring out what could be done. So I hand you a box of kleenexes and you cry as much as you need to.

Sending many gentle hugs and loving thoughts as I can. Always.

dps

may more light descend to give the knowledge to help your grandson, sabby!

((((((((( sabby grandson daughter/mom ))))))))

Love you, hun!

/N

[sabby]

Ok, here is the update, the test results are in.

Good and bad -

Grandson does not test for Asperger's or any other autistic/pdd issue. That's the good news!

Grandson is suffering tremendously from PTSD/Anxiety. That's the bad news.

I knew there was some PTSD and anxiety within him, just didn't realize it was affecting him this strongly. While he does have some autistic tendancies, they are not in and of themselves valid for a dx.

At least now we know and we can detail our determination to get him the help he needs in the right direction. For that I am grateful.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support. I love you all very much!


sabby

[darkpurplesecrets]

((((sabby))))

You are all in our hearts and prayers always. Just wanted to let you know that and know you are being sent many gentle hugs and loving thoughts. Now and always. Please keep us posted and know we are here for you.

dps

[Callista]

Yuk--anxiety sucks! But your grandson has his whole family on his side, and that is possibly the single most important factor that contributes to resilience.

There are plenty of people with autistic traits but not full-blown autism. Probably more people have subclinical autistic traits than there are with autism itself, actually. You might read up on it, just to inform yourself a bit; some of the same stuff that helps people with autism might help your grandson too, because of the similar cognitive style.

[sabby]

Thank you ((((((( Callista )))))))

Yes, dearest grandson does have his loving family supporting him, no doubt about it. And, he also has his teachers at school who adore him and whenever he has a breakdown there, they feel his pain just as he does. They are so loving with him.

I will definitely read up on the traits that he is showing. Most of the traits are with sensory issues, clothing and socks, shoes etc. He does have some little tics that I'm a bit concerned about, but they may be med related....I have to check with daughter about that.

Again, thanks so much for your response hon!


sabby