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Dawn
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| Posted: Jan 12 2006 at 5:28am | IP Logged
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Hi everyone,
I am still fairly new to this board, and recently took a break from the computer, but I am back now, and so happy to be reading all of your thoughts and suggestions in so many areas.
Last November, my youngest (4 last Dec.) was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. We were not entirely shocked - he has been delayed in some areas and can exhibit some autistic-like behaviors. Mainly he has a significant speech delay and can seem younger than his peers. He also has a low frustration level (especially for crowds) and can have tempers/mood swings, although as he gets older that seems to be lessening.
We have started him in speech therapy and today we have an OT screening. He will begin OT right away. The HMO folks were pushing us to put our son in an integrated preschool for a ridiculous amount of time each week (like 25 hours a week, all year round).
As a committed homeschooling family we decided to research our options and found so many, many people homeschooling special needs children, and with such success, that we felt confident we can do this with our son. We are getting the therapy lined up and will continue to work with him at home, expose him to social activities gently and with support.
I am re-reading Real Learning and seeing how much the CM style of learning will help him (us!). After a few months of feeling so down and confused I feel re-energized and hopeful. I am reading Elizabeth's Special Blessings chapter this morning and it is so beautiful and has spoken to my heart. I felt moved to post and share our experience so far.
Thanks for listening and for all the encouragement and wisdom you all share here. 
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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Taffy
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| Posted: Jan 12 2006 at 9:11am | IP Logged
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As a fellow parent of a child wih PDD-NOS may I welcome you to the board
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Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
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Willa
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| Posted: Jan 12 2006 at 5:54pm | IP Logged
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Hi Dawn, welcome to the board!
My special needs child is Aidan, age 6.5, who had a stroke in infancy and so is developmentally delayed with some weakness and extra tone in his left side. So he gets speech therapy through the school and PT and OT privately.
I was planning to reread Elizabeth's book, got it out of my closet, and now I can't find it  .
I agree with you that a committed family can provide lots of things to a special needs child that a school can't. We got the same pressure as you did.
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Jan 12 2006 at 11:26pm | IP Logged
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Welcome!! I'm mostly a lurker. My oldest has been diagnosed with high functioning autism. He also receives speech and OT services twice a week. It can be grueling, but has helped him tremendously. My biggest regret is not noticing early enough that he has problems. I just thought he was quirky. Of course, if he had been born second I would have noticed he was a big delayed. However, I know that God had a reason for sending him to me then. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I know there is one .
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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Dawn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2006 at 4:38am | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone for your welcome
We had our OT screening yesterday and it went very well. Our son had fun and responded well to the therapist. The therapist was wonderfully encouraging and said she knew that he would do really well with the OT, ST AND our homeschooling him. He will be getting OT twice a week (for now) and ST once a week (for as long as he needs it).
The funny thing is, this woman was surprised that our son was diagnosed as PDD-NOS. We spent a good half an hour going over his behavior and abilities, and she spent an hour observing him and the way he interacts with us and her. She was shaking her head saying "And WHO gave him this diagnosis?" She actually said that she will write up her evaluation to sound like it is a stronger case so we can be assured of getting services, even though his issues are mild.
Our speech therapist has said the same kind of thing thing. She has taken to calling him delayed rather than PDD.
Whatever we call it, it is clear our son is delayed in speech and some gross motor skills. He can also be tempermental. To be truthful, we have babied him. We have always been laid back parents, never pushed any of our boys -- "They'll do it when they're ready." -- and yet we see now that this child actually needs us to be a bit pushy! He's not doing some things -- not because he's not ready or able -- but because he needs to be shown how and helped along the way. He needs us to help him catch up.
I know we have our work cut out for us, but I feel like we have been given a path to follow.
Thank you again for sharing and for your support.
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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Dawn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2006 at 4:57am | IP Logged
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KC in TX wrote:
| However, I know that God had a reason for sending him to me then. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I know there is one . |
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Hi KC,
I feel so strongly as you do. In my heart, I feel that God has called on me (and my dh) because he knows we will do best by him. What a blessing! What a compliment!
Once I saw it this way, I felt a change in my heart, and everything seemed so much more manageable than it had before. It had been such a struggle to acknowledge and deal with our son's issues, and now I realize God has had this in mind for me my whole life! My whole life has been a preparation for mothering this boy -- and all my children!
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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momtomany
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| Posted: Jan 13 2006 at 8:30am | IP Logged
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Welcome Dawn!
I have a 10 year old son with a seizure disorder, who has problems with math, reading, and attention. He has speech therapy 2x a week.
I too, try to go with the thought that I am the mother of the children God meant for me to have. Including our 10th child, who died at nine days old.
My John, our 10 year old special blessing, is truly a blessing beyond anything that I could have imagined. He has helped me grow more than I can say.
And homeschooling though a challenge, has been wonderful for him.
A loving family can do so much more than any "expert".
__________________
Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Topic: CM for PDD-NOS
