I started this blog because I have a wonderful, beautiful little son who is a gift from God. He is also disabled. I'm currently in the whirlwind of doctors and psychiatrists and occupational therapists, IEP evals, and speech therapy that so many parents of disabled children have fought through. The sad fact is that being surrounded by all these professionals has only called to light just how "different" my son is. I feel very alone. Right now it looks like my little one is most likely bipolar, with possible traits of anxiety, ADHD, and some autistic features thrown in for flavor.
Initially I was afraid to reach out to my friends because some part of me is still saying, "but soon we'll have the right medication or therapy and all this will be over." I wouldn't want playmates to label or judge him based on something that will be over soon. Now I'm afraid to reach out because people just don't understand. I can't count the number of times I've heard "boys will be boys." or "he just needs a good spanking." Can someone please explain to me how hitting him is supposed to correct a neurological problem?!
Well meaning people suggest that I try rewards and consequences and just "be consistent." I should probably specify at this time that I have a MS in marriage and family therapy and am a child mental health specialist with the majority of my training focusing on severely disturbed children. I also have a 2 year old daughter who is as well behaved a little teddybear as you could ever want to meet. This isn't an issue of poor parenting. I wish it were. I want so much for the problem to be me because then maybe I could fix it.
Sooo...This is the place I can talk about what is really going on in my journey to help my son, and all the frustration and joy and setbacks and triumphs that go along with it.
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