Parent

by Bobbie
(Minnesota)

I have two children. The 16 year old has Aspergers. Typical symptoms. Then came his sister. As I baby, she would hit me if I tried to hold her, As a toddler, she was very aggressive with me: hitting, pulling my hair, spitting...

She was also exhibiting what appeared to be full blown seizures. I took her to MPLS Children hospital for testing. They told me something about under developed nerve endings. As she started school, wow, things got out of hand. Her regular doctor sent us to a Developmental Peds clinic. They started her on Prozac. After one week of medication she said, "Thank you mommie for my new medicine. It doesn't hurt when you hold me anymore." What a revelation.

By 2nd grade, her behaviors were a problem and I was still learning what made Sensory disorder different from Aspergers. I took her to therapy and learned some more new skills myself. She is now ready for 4th grade. She has been denied SSI because she is an excellent student. She still cannot socialize properly, is aggressive and dislike by most of our neighbors. She was denied SSI because she is a good student. She is honor roll material. She is such a good student because learning became her play. Sitting at a computer learning to read or do math became her pastime and gave her the academic skills she has today. It is also the one thing that keeps her from the services SSI can secure for her.

She yells, cries and states that it's too hard to be in control. Now she is on Abilify. I don't think she is going to learn how to care for her needs from a pill bottle, but in my state, Sensory Integration Disorder is not considered a problem or a diagnosed medical condition requiring intervention. That is sad, because she is a lovely girl with the school, peers and those who are uneducated, stacked against her.