Logan neurologist follow up 1/14
Sept 29, 2018 12:39:03 GMT
via mobile
newscrapper05, Mystie, and 44 more like this
Post by jenjie on Sept 29, 2018 12:39:03 GMT
Update 1/14/19 - Good things are happening. Logan is smiling and laughing more. He’s more self-aware and aware of others. He took it upon himself to email a teacher and used the right kind of language - please and thank you. We’ve had a couple of meltdowns and of course some days where he doesn’t want to cooperate, but overall it’s very positive. and it’s taken all this time to see the changes.
His follow-up with the neurologist was last week. We told him what we’re seeing and what we’re doing. Drinking more water. Exercise. Supplements and essential oils instead of the Zoloft he recommended. Accommodations at school. Robotics. STEM scouts.
He is so pleased! He said keep doing what you’re doing, I’m giving him a clean bill of health, see you in a year! Wow wow wow!
Additionally, the robotics competition was this weekend. Really Red and basket1lady Our rookie team advanced! Came in top 4 out of 13. Also they got an award for presenting their project.
This was the first time I met the coaches - volunteer moms. I thanked them and told them how important this was, and the timing and all, coming on the heels of Logan’s diagnosis. I said I don’t know if anyone told you... they say “we know.”
They are both educators, one was a special needs teacher. They both picked up on it and for the past 4 months, without my knowledge, they’ve been supporting him, working with him according to his needs, and making use of his strengths to benefit the team. This was an answer to a prayer I didn’t even think to pray! I’m so grateful.
Update 12/13/18 - we were supposed to have a follow-up with the neurologist at Thanksgiving but he had to postpone due to surgery. We’re rescheduled for January.
In the meantime we’ve been talking and he’s been taking supplements and using essential oils instead of the Zoloft the dr wantedfor him. Special services said I need to talk to the school personnel and see if they will be willing to work with us. Here’s where we are with the school.
Homeroom teacher is actually going back to school and taking a class on special needs. She looked at his special services test results, plus what the dr said, and put it all together to come up with specific ways his teachers and I can both help him. She put her recommendations, with documentation, in an email for me to keep and share with the other teachers. She gave me all kinds of encouragement. Also told me to ask the teachers that any accommodations be put in writing and go in his file so we don’t have to recreate the wheel each year.
Math teacher - he was failing math bc he wasn’t doing the work. Then he started doing it but not properly. Now he’s doing it right but it’s a matter of crossing the hurdles of getting it in the bookbag, to school, and onto the teacher’s desk. She’s good with me sending a pic if he completed the work but it didn’t make it to her. If I email her that he did the work, she will give him time to get it to her.
English - she was really iffy, not quite understanding what he needs or how it will help him in the long run. Being able to say “this is how the other teacher accommodated” went a long way. When we finished talking, she asked for some help Re a friend whose husband just died. We talked and cried together a bit. She was brand new to the school the sept after Fred died.
She says “I’m sorry I never offered to help. If there’s something I can do...”
I said “THIS. I need help with Logan. That’s why I’m here.” No lie, she sat up tall and squared her shoulders. “We can do this. You and I will help him together.” I don’t know what caused the mindset shift but I’ll take it. My older kids laughed and said she’s in my pocket now. She’s given him grace and more grace already.
History teacher said he’s doing so much better and was surprised I wanted to meet with her. She’s seeing good things. She worked out a system that will work better for him for turning work in. He’s doing fine in science and keyboarding.
I’m really pleased at the support the school is willing to give. His math teacher was willing to give extra accommodations but that actually seemed to spur him to want to do what is expected of him. Go figure.
Update 10/17
Logan’s blood test and EEG both came back fine, praise God. He is low in vitamin D and the ped wants him on 2,000 IU daily. Hopefully that will help his mood.
The podiatrist was great. He spent a good amount of time with us, asked good questions, and tested and observed him. He has family members with similar concerns. As far as he’s concerned he doesn’t see any neuromuscular issues outside of normal range. He’s near the outer range of normal, but still within normal.
He spoke the same kinds of things I’ve been talking to him about, accentuating strengths. He said Logan won’t be winning any races but his strengths lie outside of physical ability, and that’s ok.
Our next appt with the neurologist is at the end of November. In the meantime, I’m calling the board of Ed to see what kind of helps we can get. And I can’t remmber if I said, but his school just started a robotics team. He got in as an alternate and it seems to meet what the neurologist wanted for him when he recommended tech school. There’s also a STEM club nearby, I’m taking him this Friday to see if it appeals to him.
His teachers who know him agree with the neurologist assessment.
***
I had an appt with Logan at pediatric neurologist yesterday. It’s been a long time coming. If you remember I took him to another one before and got blown off. We were in his office maybe 5 minutes. He heard “his dad died” and attributed everything to depression. I knew it wasn’t right but wasn’t in a place where I could pursue it. I’m not diagnosis shopping, I just want someone to ask questions, listen, and test him.
This guy was referred by my sil and he was great. He asked a lot of questions and had some good insight. He asked Logan some questions and then sent him out of the room so we could talk.
He believes Logan has a bright future ahead of him but feels he is delayed. Delayed, not stuck. He referred to him as a 4 year old. He’s 13. Said he’s brilliant but not performing. With his love for science, he recommended the local tech school as an opportunity for him to excel. I thought that was brilliant! But I don’t think they offer what he would want.
He said instead of the lights being on with nobody home, it’s like Logan is home sitting in the dark. But he also said every light is burning and it’s overwhelming. So there’s that.
My big question - is it “I can’t” or “I won’t” - he feels Logan struggles but pride has him choosing non-participation over admitting he can’t perform. He’s a big non-participator.
He ordered a blood test (including looking at muscle enzymes - his nana thinks there’s a neuromuscular issue) and an EEG. (EEG is Monday.)
He gave me a script for Zoloft (an anti-depressant.) Something about serotonin. It’s not for depression I don’t think. Maybe OCD tendencies? I don’t know how I feel about giving him meds and may look into alternative options first.
Oddly enough, he never said a word about ADD or ADHD. When I asked what I can tell the school, he said:
- Academic underachievement. I thought NO KIDDING but it’s actually a medical term.
- Asperger’s
- OCD
- He also wants to rule out epilepsy. His first question once Logan left the room was, “does he zone out?” He wonders if he’s having silent seizures - a possibility Logan’s nana, a retired pediatric nurse, is also concerned about.
He said Logan is a mystery. I think he expects to find some more stuff showing up.
(I told him Logan loves to learn and is great at retaining information, but he can’t retain instructions. Just last night at dinner he started talking about a second grade field trip with amazing detail. Yet he can’t remember what his teacher wants him to do for homework on a regular basis.)
I have not told Logan any of this. I only told him the positive things that were said and I said we will be getting some tests done to see how we can best help him and how he can best help himself.
While I can’t say I’m completely surprised, I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’m glad to know it’s not defiance, but at the same time it hurts that he’s struggling.
I was surprised at how much crying I did. I felt bad bc if I had taken someone with me when I went before, they would have pushed for answers. My friend said you weren’t ready to hear that then, it would have put you under the bed and you’d never come out. She’s not wrong.
I’m relieved we are finally getting some answers, which should lead to progress, and at the very least help me understand my child better.
His follow-up with the neurologist was last week. We told him what we’re seeing and what we’re doing. Drinking more water. Exercise. Supplements and essential oils instead of the Zoloft he recommended. Accommodations at school. Robotics. STEM scouts.
He is so pleased! He said keep doing what you’re doing, I’m giving him a clean bill of health, see you in a year! Wow wow wow!
Additionally, the robotics competition was this weekend. Really Red and basket1lady Our rookie team advanced! Came in top 4 out of 13. Also they got an award for presenting their project.
This was the first time I met the coaches - volunteer moms. I thanked them and told them how important this was, and the timing and all, coming on the heels of Logan’s diagnosis. I said I don’t know if anyone told you... they say “we know.”
They are both educators, one was a special needs teacher. They both picked up on it and for the past 4 months, without my knowledge, they’ve been supporting him, working with him according to his needs, and making use of his strengths to benefit the team. This was an answer to a prayer I didn’t even think to pray! I’m so grateful.
Update 12/13/18 - we were supposed to have a follow-up with the neurologist at Thanksgiving but he had to postpone due to surgery. We’re rescheduled for January.
In the meantime we’ve been talking and he’s been taking supplements and using essential oils instead of the Zoloft the dr wantedfor him. Special services said I need to talk to the school personnel and see if they will be willing to work with us. Here’s where we are with the school.
Homeroom teacher is actually going back to school and taking a class on special needs. She looked at his special services test results, plus what the dr said, and put it all together to come up with specific ways his teachers and I can both help him. She put her recommendations, with documentation, in an email for me to keep and share with the other teachers. She gave me all kinds of encouragement. Also told me to ask the teachers that any accommodations be put in writing and go in his file so we don’t have to recreate the wheel each year.
Math teacher - he was failing math bc he wasn’t doing the work. Then he started doing it but not properly. Now he’s doing it right but it’s a matter of crossing the hurdles of getting it in the bookbag, to school, and onto the teacher’s desk. She’s good with me sending a pic if he completed the work but it didn’t make it to her. If I email her that he did the work, she will give him time to get it to her.
English - she was really iffy, not quite understanding what he needs or how it will help him in the long run. Being able to say “this is how the other teacher accommodated” went a long way. When we finished talking, she asked for some help Re a friend whose husband just died. We talked and cried together a bit. She was brand new to the school the sept after Fred died.
She says “I’m sorry I never offered to help. If there’s something I can do...”
I said “THIS. I need help with Logan. That’s why I’m here.” No lie, she sat up tall and squared her shoulders. “We can do this. You and I will help him together.” I don’t know what caused the mindset shift but I’ll take it. My older kids laughed and said she’s in my pocket now. She’s given him grace and more grace already.
History teacher said he’s doing so much better and was surprised I wanted to meet with her. She’s seeing good things. She worked out a system that will work better for him for turning work in. He’s doing fine in science and keyboarding.
I’m really pleased at the support the school is willing to give. His math teacher was willing to give extra accommodations but that actually seemed to spur him to want to do what is expected of him. Go figure.
Update 10/17
Logan’s blood test and EEG both came back fine, praise God. He is low in vitamin D and the ped wants him on 2,000 IU daily. Hopefully that will help his mood.
The podiatrist was great. He spent a good amount of time with us, asked good questions, and tested and observed him. He has family members with similar concerns. As far as he’s concerned he doesn’t see any neuromuscular issues outside of normal range. He’s near the outer range of normal, but still within normal.
He spoke the same kinds of things I’ve been talking to him about, accentuating strengths. He said Logan won’t be winning any races but his strengths lie outside of physical ability, and that’s ok.
Our next appt with the neurologist is at the end of November. In the meantime, I’m calling the board of Ed to see what kind of helps we can get. And I can’t remmber if I said, but his school just started a robotics team. He got in as an alternate and it seems to meet what the neurologist wanted for him when he recommended tech school. There’s also a STEM club nearby, I’m taking him this Friday to see if it appeals to him.
His teachers who know him agree with the neurologist assessment.
***
I had an appt with Logan at pediatric neurologist yesterday. It’s been a long time coming. If you remember I took him to another one before and got blown off. We were in his office maybe 5 minutes. He heard “his dad died” and attributed everything to depression. I knew it wasn’t right but wasn’t in a place where I could pursue it. I’m not diagnosis shopping, I just want someone to ask questions, listen, and test him.
This guy was referred by my sil and he was great. He asked a lot of questions and had some good insight. He asked Logan some questions and then sent him out of the room so we could talk.
He believes Logan has a bright future ahead of him but feels he is delayed. Delayed, not stuck. He referred to him as a 4 year old. He’s 13. Said he’s brilliant but not performing. With his love for science, he recommended the local tech school as an opportunity for him to excel. I thought that was brilliant! But I don’t think they offer what he would want.
He said instead of the lights being on with nobody home, it’s like Logan is home sitting in the dark. But he also said every light is burning and it’s overwhelming. So there’s that.
My big question - is it “I can’t” or “I won’t” - he feels Logan struggles but pride has him choosing non-participation over admitting he can’t perform. He’s a big non-participator.
He ordered a blood test (including looking at muscle enzymes - his nana thinks there’s a neuromuscular issue) and an EEG. (EEG is Monday.)
He gave me a script for Zoloft (an anti-depressant.) Something about serotonin. It’s not for depression I don’t think. Maybe OCD tendencies? I don’t know how I feel about giving him meds and may look into alternative options first.
Oddly enough, he never said a word about ADD or ADHD. When I asked what I can tell the school, he said:
- Academic underachievement. I thought NO KIDDING but it’s actually a medical term.
- Asperger’s
- OCD
- He also wants to rule out epilepsy. His first question once Logan left the room was, “does he zone out?” He wonders if he’s having silent seizures - a possibility Logan’s nana, a retired pediatric nurse, is also concerned about.
He said Logan is a mystery. I think he expects to find some more stuff showing up.
(I told him Logan loves to learn and is great at retaining information, but he can’t retain instructions. Just last night at dinner he started talking about a second grade field trip with amazing detail. Yet he can’t remember what his teacher wants him to do for homework on a regular basis.)
I have not told Logan any of this. I only told him the positive things that were said and I said we will be getting some tests done to see how we can best help him and how he can best help himself.
While I can’t say I’m completely surprised, I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’m glad to know it’s not defiance, but at the same time it hurts that he’s struggling.
I was surprised at how much crying I did. I felt bad bc if I had taken someone with me when I went before, they would have pushed for answers. My friend said you weren’t ready to hear that then, it would have put you under the bed and you’d never come out. She’s not wrong.
I’m relieved we are finally getting some answers, which should lead to progress, and at the very least help me understand my child better.
