Overwhelmed

[MillieWebb]

I am new to this site and I find I am relieved to read posts that mirror many of my same emotions. I have an 8 year old step daughter and a 6 year old son full time. My 8 year old beautiful, amazing girl can give me a run for my money most days and I swear debates all things just to debate. So it has taken most of the year to figure out the different strategies to parent her and we are continuously adapting and there are time I feel lost with no idea what to do and that I have failed. I feel like I have been outsmarted by an 8 year old.

So today I brought my 6 year old, who looks like Stuart Little to the Paediatrician because, he to is being screened for ADHD. Although the children are so very different, they are super social, hyper children with many of the same challenges. I honestly thought the Doctor was going to tell me he had ADHD and I had emotionally prepared myself for the journey ahead when the conversation took a different unexpected direction. They are screening him for Autism. I feel like I have been punched. Making matter worse, the Dad, Step Dad and myself attended the appointment and stared in disbelief as the Dad said he thought he was just an over active 6 year old. UGHHHH on so many levels.

[ZosMom]

Welcome to the site and I am sorry to hear about your overwhelming and frustrating experience. Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. And to maybe see a behavior specialist or therapist who specializes in children. Hang in there!

[Cjkchamp]

I myself have a husband who doesn’t believe anything is wrong. He started with he is only three, then he’s only four, and so on. He is 6 now and I put our son on medications last year. Unfortunately he won’t participate in appointments and doesn’t administer medications.

[mvang03]

Just breath. It’s great that all the adults involved in the kids life was there so they can hear it from a professional! Men tend to do that... what you just said... or like the kid will grow out of it. It’s a starting point to all know and help this child out now but get him screened at a specialist too.

[Terrilynn04]

I agree with getting a second opinion. My 5 year old has severe ADHD and I took her to a Child Developmental Neuropsychologist to be evaluated for being on the autism spectrum. I suspected that she was because of all the social cues she misses. She’s super social but can’t really hold a reciprocal conversation and will often repeat statements or questions over and over (think rainman). I was pleased to learn that all the signs I thought pointed to the autism spectrum were actually a result of her having “severe” ADHD. Im seeking a second opinion as well despite what I consider to be good news.