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I haven’t been blogging very much because emotionally…. I was hit hard. I have been grieving and feeling stupid for grieving.
It started on Feb 8… actually it started earlier. As a parent I am constantly preparing my child for her next challenge. She has some learning disabilities that impact reading and math. And she has ADHD.
My darling daughter Natasha was adopted from Ukraine in 2000 at 3.5 years of age. She came home from the Green Forest Orphanage with crossed eyes and a strong will. She is now 9.5 years old and in 3rd grade. She is reading on a first grade level.
3rd grade is the year that children start “reading to learn” rather then “learning to read”. Thanks to Natasha’s IEP and No Child Left Behind Law she receives 10 hours a week of extra help with reading and math.
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But something didn’t feel right. I couldn’t name it.
Natasha wasn’t making as much progress as I expected in school. She was easily meeting her IEP goals, but maybe those goals weren’t challenging enough.
About 6 months ago one of Natasha’s dear friends was diagnosed with Asperger’s. It is a mild form of autism. And Natasha and this friend are so similiar in many ways… maybe it is because they both have ADHD.
So I started thinking… hmmmm…
Maybe Natasha has Asperger’s.
So I asked Natasha’s regular Pediatrician for a referral. He gave me the name of a Developmental Pediatrician who specializes in autism. So I make an appointment for Natasha to be evaluated.
And then I get stacks of surveys to fill out. Turns out that one tool to diagnose autism is surveys. It isn’t like there is a blood test.
Anyway I fill in all the forms. And February 1 2007, Natasha has her appointment to be evaluated by the Developmental Pediatrician.
February 8 2007, I get the results. It is a face-to-face meeting with the doctor.
First the doctor starts telling me what a joy Natasha was. She (the doctor) had forgotten how easy it is to work with children who can talk and interact.
The very first question that she asked Natasha was….
Doctor: What do you think is wrong?
Natasha: I am nervous all the time.
Color me stupid…. I never thought to just ask Natasha.
Natasha has an anxiety disorder. She will be starting cognitive behavioral therapy to help with this. I didn’t realize just how much of a barrier anxiety could be.
Next blog…. the issue that put me on the floor emotionally…
