A hopeful update

We are feeling a bit of hope around our house these days.

Okay, I'm feeling a bit more hopeful. I can't speak for anyone else.

After too many years of rages, aggression, people hurt and items destroyed, it was time to take the plunge. We had put off medication as long as we could. We tried play therapy (helped a bit), dietary changes (helped a bit), and too many books, videos, trainings and workshops to count (also helped a bit). We could honestly say we'd tried everything else.

But of course it couldn't be as easy as just calling in a prescription. First we had to find a pediatric psychologist who would test a visually impaired child. The closest children's hospital first said they could but then changed their minds. Thankfully they took the time to find someone in a neighboring state. As expected, we left with a diagnosis of ADHD - for starters. But now to find a pediatric psychiatrist closer to home who could prescribe and follow-up on meds. And someone who didn't have a months-long waiting list.

We should have known that someone without a waiting list is available for a reason.

She's awful. No rapport with Victor. Was patronizing and dismissive to me.

And because we don't have any worthwhile family history, she wouldn't prescribe anything until we had a cardiologist sign off.

Only the cardiologist she sent us to couldn't see him. More days passed. Finally found a place to go.

They claimed they saw an irregularity.

Now we had to find a pediatric cardiologist. Only to hear that a child should have an irregular heartbeat and be questioned numerous times as to why we were there. As if I were the one who had insisted upon it.

Of course each of these appointments took weeks to schedule.

Then the first med turned my already-behaviorally-challenged child into a depressed and suicidal six year old. And then he decided there was no way that pill was going down his throat. Not even for pudding. Or applesauce. Or ice cream. Or even Coca-Cola.

Finally, a patch.

Would my sensory-challenged child go for this idea?

He did. And things are looking up.

We think.

Maybe.

Who knows?

Because why should anything be easy?

But we were having a good enough day yesterday that I did something I have very rarely attempted with him. I took him out in public. We role played before we went. We questioned and answered. What happens if you are getting rough and other children might get hurt? What if I tell you to slow down? What will you do when I say we need to leave in five minutes?

And it worked. With just a few minor glitches. Believe me, a few minor glitches is like perfection around here. Cause we all know it's about progress not perfection.

Then we picked out pumpkins and he drew his pumpkin face so I could carve it (complete with a wandering eye? and ears - one with hair growing out of it, I think - on the sides).

Pretty good likeness, huh?

Sister made a hedgehog. Of course.

Beautiful.