Our ER required a parent to stay with a minor waiting for psychiatric assessment/placement.

I am with you. I'm so with you. We did not set out on this journey for this life. It's hard. So hard. I'm sorry.

My ex has been diagnosed with both anti-social personality disorder (sociopath) and NPD. I feel like the term may be overused; true medical diagnosis can't be as common as the number of people who claim to know someone with NPD?

My comment about putting the doll on the shelf was in response to her saying her DD hasn't really seemed interested. Some day she will be, and then she should of course play with it!

You could get a doll stand and tell her that her grandma wanted her to have this doll, but because they are recommended for age 8+ you will put it in a safe place until she's a little older. Is there a shelf she could stand on?

DD9 has that reaction to needles of any kind. It IS scary!

I have close relationships with my teens. Any issues we have are upfront and honest. IF my parents had done this to me, I honestly would have been more inclined to try drugs - the lack of trust they'd be showing would be devastating.

Teaching help for parents with children with ADHD or other learning/behavior challenges

Hi Beth, If your son ends up getting a diagnosis of ASD, he will likely be able to get some assistance with working from developmental disabilities agencies. They may have job coaches and people who assist with job placement. I think you are doing the right thing in going for an evaluation first. Good luck - it's hard parenting a young adult who hasn't found his direction yet!

I'm always amazed at the number of blatant lies people get away with under oath without perjury charges.

The standards for keeping a child in the home are shockingly low (most of the time.) Who served the summons?

Abercrombie & Fitch runs really small (and comes in slim.)

The Ped told us to do a 1000iu (100% dv) plus a vitamin with 100%. I think she plans to recheck in a month or so? I wondered if that was enough too. I will get some k2. He has ARFID, but hasn't really tested positive for any other issues...

My DS15 was just tested and his D level was at 13 (yikes!) so we are now doing a multi-vitamin plus a 1000iu D supplement. I don't think I'd worry about your son's level, but it never hurts to get things checked.

Since he has held a job and may not have any diagnosis at this point, I don't think that's wise. IF he is considered disabled, he still may not qualify for SSI. They need a full evaluation before they can consider spending down his money, especially while he's in transition with a job.

I'm not sure, based on all your posts, whether your DS would be eligible for disability (SSI) or not. If he is eligible, it will not necessarily take years. My son (18) received an approval in less than 3 months. (He is not on the spectrum.) You have to start the application online and then the social security office will contact you to come in for an appt. I will say that it was an actual full time job (for ME) for about 3 months while I tried to set up his services.

Interesting. Thank you for clarifying!

Why is that?

I have heard this expression used and I'm not sure I understand it. Is it people in the church who are simply older? More powerful? Is there a hierarchy in some churches?

We are at the vet all the time with 4 dogs, one of whom has a seizure disorder and neurological damage so his back legs don't work properly. I can't tell you the number of times we've taken the dogs in for behavior changes - it always means something!

I have a small degree of scoliosis, but one shoulder is clearly higher than the other when I'm standing "straight." I don't know that a lay person would be able to see it on an xray.

That's so sad. I'd be heartbroken to find out my doggies were in pain and we didn't know. ?

We consider our pets family, and therefore they get the same kinds of medical care we’d get for ourselves.

My Girl Scout troop made up "birthday bags" for the food pantry. We bought cake mix, oil, candles, birthday plates & napkins, frosting, etc. It was a huge hit with the kids and families who came in.

If he goes to Build a Bear he can make a stuffed animal for each kiddo and put a voice recording in them saying he loves them, or whatever he'd like. They can just press the paw and hear his voice.