PDD/Asperger's Syndrome

Well, we have an official diagnosis that makes much more sense to me and this was my gut feeling all along. Not that I want my son to be labeled or that I just went around trying to get a Dr. to diagnosis him with something I liked or felt he had, but because I have known deep down for a couple of years that something wasn't right, but like all momma's, I didn't want to think that there was really something wrong with my child. Everyone was quick to tell me that it was his age, he was a boy or it was his hair color! Ok, so red heads are known for their fiery temper, but this was a baby that was happy and content and never cried or made a fuss over anything until he was 18 months. It seems like that is when everything changed. I thought he was heading into the Terrile 2's early. So with this diagnosis comes alot of relief in a sense. We now know what the problem is and we can now learn how to manage/cope with it. WHen I say we, I am talking about me, his dad, sister, grandparents, TEACHERS and anyone else that will be playing a big role in Peyton's life. It is important that everyone is on the same page and willing to learn the skills needed to help Peyton and prepare yourself for the major meltdowns that you do not know are coming. Just like the incident in the cafeteria last week. He couldn't make a decision on his drink for lunch in the cafeteria, resulted in a major melt down and he ended up under the table for lunch, or when he dropped his straw on the floor and got so upset that he started beating his head on the table, which resulted in a big knot and bruise on his head. Little things set him off, things that normally would not another kid. I do have to say that Friday Peyton had a better day, better than most. I think since his teacher and I both know what the problem is now and we can look back and see somethings that would have caused some of his meltdowns and do something different that we might be able to move forward a little bit. The main objective right now is to get Peyton adjusted to school and his surroundings. For some reason the cafeteria is a place that triggers alot of this meltdowns and he either hides under the table or he runs to his classroom. I am meeting with his teacher and the prinicipal on Monday morning to discuss his diagnosis and determine where to go from here. I feel like if we give him a chance after knowing what we know and learnign what we can he is going to be alright and be able to stay in his regular class with just a few modifications. He likes school and he LOVES Mrs. Johnson. I do too!!! We have been very blessed to have her in our life at this time. We are all learning together. I have had so many emails and phone calls regarding Peyton and his diagnosis that is overwhelming and I plan on getting back with each and everyone of you that has contacted me. I appreciate it so much!!
I know that Peyton will overcome this and it will just be one of the many things that he will accomplish in his life.

The weekend has been good. Peyton has laughed and played and even seemed to control some of his tempers that could have easily been a catastrophe. He went to a friend's birthday party yesterday and he smiled and played with some of his classmates and his cousin. He got a little upset that he coudln't go in the house and play with the toys so his mood just went down from there. It was also hot and he was getting tired but he did great! He wanted to go to duckwall's and we had to hear about that for hours, the repetitive thing he does, drives me crazy. I have been trying to talk about something else with him or start playing a game or distract him so he can get his mind off of it. UM, didn't work so much, but it might in time, I will just keep doing it.
He went with his sister to ride bikes yesterday evening and he wanted to go see our dear friend Manish. Manish wasn't home and Peyton would not follow Ali back to the house so I ended up having to go pick him up in the car. He was very easily redirected when I got him in the car. I talked to him in a calm voice and explained the situation to him and wiped his face with a cool rag and set him down with a drink and said he needed to refocus and calm down. It worked! This is an situation that in the past he cried for 3 hrs over!! Now, he did end up asking about duckwalls again for the millionith time! Baby steps right? Ha!

He started on Respridal on Thursday evening. I gave him one then and one Friday night and I increased it Sat. to twice a day. It seems to be working. He didn't want to take it last night so after we tried and tried and he was being stubborn I told him he had to go sit in his room and when he decided he wanted to take it he could come out. Well he started beating his head on the wall and it was hard!! I went to him and told him that he was going to hurt the wall and his head so he didn't need to do that. He didn't do it again. Usually, he would beat his head, rip things off his wall, throw anything he could find at the bedroom door ,scream, hit himself and do this for hours while in the meantime trying to keep him from hurting himself. Praise God that wasn't the case last night. yea!! When he came out his room he asked for his fridge radio, It's a radio that plays all kinds of songs on there in relation to the ABC's and 123's. THere is this one song on there that we both giggle at when we hear it. He wanted me to play it, so I did. I saw the most beautifuls smile and his little face lit up and i heard the most beautiful sound to a mother's ears, his laugh.. a big belly laugh. He then grabbed my face in his tiny hands and said, " I will take my pill now". Made me smile... I know there are going to be good days and bad days and we still have a long road in front of us, but, If you want to see a rainbow you gotta stand a little rain. So just like the Song that Mercy Me sings, Jesus bring the rain.

Have a great Sunday!!!