Please help me find the right WTM board

[Element]

I never know where to post. My kids are technically "gifted" (HG) but they are not really working ahead in any subject. They can both be very intense at times. I don't really feel comfortable posting over on the Accelerated board because, well, they aren't accelerated (with the exception of reading.) They both have physical things that sometimes hold them back developmentally, but they don't struggle greatly with information input. IOW, they are not really behind, so I don't feel quite right posting here on the SN board. I usually post over on the K-8 board, but they are not always able to answer my questions. I have posted here before about ds's tics, but I didn't get any answers (I'm not complaining at all. :) I had not properly introduced myself to the board, and it was probably a weird question to anyone not used to "my normal.")

 

Anyway, these are my kids:

 

 

• 8 (almost 9) year old ds, heading into 4th in a couple of weeks. Homeschooled for the past 1.5 years. Vocal and motor tics that come and go (ranging from mild to severe) with no official dx. Motor tics began at age 4, vocal tics at age 7 (simple tics, plus palilalia.) We are not seeking a dx for him as long as he is okay with his tics. The whole family is very supportive of him. Sometimes his tics make it hard for him to focus, and his Processing Speed Index (PSI) was 40+ points lower than his FSIQ, but still technically in the "normal" range. He is very structured and needs a strict schedule.
  
• Just turned 7-yr-old dd, heading into 2nd grade. She has been in ps since age 4, but we decided to bring her home this year. She is a challenge. Very bright (although we have not had her tested) and also very stubborn and intense. She dislikes structure. She never struggles with information input or memory, and doesn't seem to have any processing difficulties. However, her output is almost non-existent. Her handwriting is really, really bad and she says it is painful to write more than a sentence or two. She is very weak, normal height for her age (4') and very thin (42 lbs.) She has digestion issues, asthma/allergy issues, leg/foot bone issues, and joint pain and issues. Last week we finally met with a geneticist, who did a CMA to rule out anything else (results should be back in 2-3 wks) but said she meets all the criteria for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a connective tissue disorder) and she probably has EDS.
  

 

Dd learned to type over the summer (using Dance Mat Typing online) and she doesn't seem to mind typing, so I am considering giving up on writing and just letting her type most everything. Another idea would be buying large pencils and letting her try with those. I don't quite know what I'm going to do with her. She can't sit too long or she starts to hurt. She can't stand or do activities for too long or she starts to hurt. She can't write more than a couple of sentences because it hurts. For the longest time, I honestly thought she was being lazy and whiny but after finally meeting with the geneticist I'm starting to feel bad for thinking this.

 

Anyway, if you have read this far, thank you. Basically, my question is: Where do I ask questions about my kids' issues? (IOW, is it okay to post questions regarding "physical issues causing output problems" here or should I be posting on the General board?)

[PeterPan]

Oh chickadee, you belong exactly right here!! :)

 

You're in the right place. Your kids are 2E and all over the board. The SN board here isn't some "my kids are dumb so I post here" category. It's more like "We're so special we got our own special haunt." :D

 

EDS has come up a little, and others have done genetic testing, so you're not the only one in that boat. My kids (and I) are low tone, but not to the point you're describing. Nevertheless, people at least sympathize. Sounds like you're making a lot of sensible accommodations.

 

When they did your ds's IQ testing, did they do just that or a full neuropsych eval? Sounds like he's crossing over into Tourettes.

 

Sorry your other post didn't get answers. I went over and read it. That was back in April. Who knows. In any ways, it's sort of hard for me, reading it, to tell what you wanted. I must be having a fuzzy moment. Try to figure out whether your goal is just to talk (which we all need!) or to ask a specific question. If it's a specific question, try to set it apart some it's clear and obvious, and put that question in the title.

 

BTW, you can also "bump" your posts if they get missed. You just answer it yourself with a smiley or the word bump so it goes to the top to get noticed. :)

 

No, I don't see how anyone mortal could work beside a kid with his tics in full form. We have friends who pulled out their kids to homeschool, and the ds with tics had to be kept totally separate from the others, or he drove everyone batty. They made some dietary changes, got the tics to chill and his focus to improve, then gave up on the diet (long-term changes are hard) and he totally regressed. But whatever, none of my business.

 

My ds is way too active to be around my dd when she works either. I've been sweating and sweating it, because last year was really rough (newly 3 yo and the full hormones of a 12 yo, oy!!). This year he's a little more independent in his play, so I'm just making my plans best I can. Basically they have to be on opposite floors of the house at all times or she won't get anything done. I send him out once a week to my MIL's.

Edited August 10, 2012 by OhElizabeth

[dsmith]

Definitely post here! I'm sorry I missed your previous post. I would have replied if I had seen it. When I post something that gets overlooked, sometimes I just respond to my own post with this:

 

:001_smile:Anyone??

 

I can understand your concern with the tics being distracting to the other child. I think it needs to be handled carefully, so that ds doesn't feel badly about himself. I know my ds is not even aware that his tics can be distracting or possibly annoying to other people. It can be difficult to concentrate when his tics are very bad. Luckily his medication has been controlling them well recently. I should note that his meds are for other conditions besides tics, but we will increase when the tics are driving HIM crazy, not us.:001_smile: It could be that your daughter is so used to the tics that it will not bother her at all. I know I need an adjustment period if his tics increase, and then I don't notice them at all. I only notice them and stress about them when they bother ds. If it is an issue, perhaps some background music will help? Ear buds? Just some thoughts...

 

With dd, some kids really do have physical pain when writing. If the typing is working out, stick with it. Have you considered any dietary interventions for both of them? I don't know anything about EDS, so I can't comment on that. Hopefully others will chime in.:001_smile:

[Heathermomster]

Hi there and welcome. Post here... Many of us have children that are gifted with various learning issues.

 

You mentioned that your DD is typing. I taught my DS to type in the 5th grade. He types 40 wpm and shifts between handwriting (mainly math and work sheets) and typing for history/composing/science. Typing was a total game changer for DS. Handwriting is important to us, but we are not burning on fire and working at it.

 

Has your DD seen an OT for an evaluation? If not, consider getting an evaluation. There are several programs that you can look at for handwriting...Dianne Craft, HWOT...There are many computer programs that are available as a writing workaround. I'll search and get back to you. It seems with your DD's health problems that you may want to reduce handwriting as much as possible in all areas.

 

Can't comment on tics. No experience there. Blessings...

 

ETA: Check out the following link and specifically read message #2 by MomatHWTK:

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?p=3840839#post3840839

 

Some of this info might help your DD...

Edited August 10, 2012 by Heathermomster

[Element]

I can understand your concern with the tics being distracting to the other child. I think it needs to be handled carefully, so that ds doesn't feel badly about himself. I know my ds is not even aware that his tics can be distracting or possibly annoying to other people. It can be difficult to concentrate when his tics are very bad. Luckily his medication has been controlling them well recently. I should note that his meds are for other conditions besides tics, but we will increase when the tics are driving HIM crazy, not us.:001_smile: It could be that your daughter is so used to the tics that it will not bother her at all. I know I need an adjustment period if his tics increase, and then I don't notice them at all. I only notice them and stress about them when they bother ds. If it is an issue, perhaps some background music will help? Ear buds? Just some thoughts...

 

 

Oh chickadee, you belong exactly right here!! :)

 

You're in the right place. Your kids are 2E and all over the board. The SN board here isn't some "my kids are dumb so I post here" category. It's more like "We're so special we got our own special haunt." :D

 

 

Thank you so much for your kind responses!! :)

 

OhElizabeth, I love, love, love your "We're so special we got our own special haunt!" statement. That is exactly the kind of thing I needed to hear. It really does feel that way with my kids sometimes-- like, "It's a good thing we have each other 'cause I don't think anyone else 'gets' us!" I really appreciate having a place where other people 'get' it.

 

In answer to your question about ds's testing, he has never had a full neuro eval. He was tested at a local university, and we were paying out-of-pocket so we went the cheapest route (WISC-IV w/FSIQ.) Maybe 9 months ago, when his tics were really, really bad, we considered looking into getting a referral from our ped for a neuro eval, but they never bothered him and the rest of our family has just gotten used to it. The "big tic" (chomping, gnashing teeth, sticking his jaw out) he was doing at the time eventually passed and that is the only thing he has done that could possibly cause him harm or looked painful. Yes, it absolutely seems like Tourette's to us, too, but unless he is causing harm to himself or others, I don't feel the need to have him medicated. I'm no expert, and I haven't talked to a doctor, but from what I understand I don't think there is a lot that can be done for TS.

 

His tics seem to increase when things get "out of whack" or he is under stress or getting too much screen time. Public school was just NOT working for this child. Reducing his overall stress and screen time has helped him quite a bit. Often his tics begin as a legitimate thing (cough) and just.. stick. So we are currently working with an allergist to help cut down on the the legitimate coughs, sniffs, and throat clearing caused by allergies that almost always turn into tics after a while.

 

I don't think you reading my other post wrong at all; It just didn't make a lot of sense! My mistake. I must have been frustrated that day. I think I knew dd (who was in ps at the time) needed to be hs'd but I also know how hard it can be working next to ds. Even I'm not sure what I was asking. :) I think it was basically: Do you think they will be able to work on opposite ends of the living room or am I going to have to set up a workstation upstairs? I'm just going to try it with both of them at the table. Ds has been this way as long as dd can remember, so it's possible that she will continue to be oblivious. I just remember sitting (in an assigned seat) in algebra class in front of someone who ate Corn Nuts during every single class and wanting to just punch Corn Nuts guy. I don't do well with distraction, but dd seems to be a lot more patient than I am.

[Element]

Hi there and welcome. Post here... Many of us have children that are gifted with various learning issues.

 

You mentioned that your DD is typing. I taught my DS to type in the 5th grade. He types 40 wpm and shifts between handwriting (mainly math and work sheets) and typing for history/composing/science. Typing was a total game changer for DS. Handwriting is important to us, but we are not burning on fire and working at it.

 

Has your DD seen an OT for an evaluation? If not, consider getting an evaluation. There are several programs that you can look at for handwriting...Dianne Craft, HWOT...There are many computer programs that are available as a writing workaround. I'll search and get back to you. It seems with your DD's health problems that you may want to reduce handwriting as much as possible in all areas.

 

Can't comment on tics. No experience there. Blessings...

 

ETA: Check out the following link and specifically read message #2 by MomatHWTK:

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/showthread.php?p=3840839#post3840839

 

Some of this info might help your DD...

 

Thank you very much! The geneticist referred us to two specialists, a pediatric opthamologist and another therapist of some sort. The therapist has not yet called me to set up the appointment so I'm not sure what exactly he will be able to help us with. I know the main purpose of seeing this specialist (therapist?) is to see if he/she thinks leg braces will help dd (she has one leg curved in at the hip and at the femur, as well as flat feet.) I'm anxious to find out more about how they will be able help dd in that regard. I think they said it was a developmental therapist, but I'm not sure at all about that. It was just all a lot to take in when we were there. I had never even heard of EDS before.

[freerange]

I'm just about to head off to bed, so this only a really quick reply to say:

* Post here.

* hello :seeya:

* I'll try to remember to come back & reply properly after the weekend when things are less :willy_nilly:

* For the not wanting to be in one position for too long sitting or standing, can you find a stool or something along these lines? http://www.varierfurniture.com/Collections/Human-instruments/Move/

[PeterPan]

You know if it were me I would *offer* her the 2nd place farther away (removed from the noise and distraction) or go ahead and set up both work places. That way when she wants to be together she can, and when it's too much she can go to her alternate spot without seeming impolite or hurting his feelings, kwim?

 

The additional things you might get with a full neuropsych eval would be stuff like processing speed, executive function, pinpointing areas of the brain affected, dysgraphia or how motor control is affecting what he's doing, disorders of written expression or reading disorders, that sort of thing. So there's more info you'd get beside meds. Totally get not wanting the meds. Also totally get that you're paying for it. We did too, ouch. :)

 

Well welcome here! :)

[dbmamaz]

just to throw this out there - my 16 yo son has tics (but starting around 8), and i finally got the official tourettes dx about a year and a half ago. I mentioned that he had had a really bad flare-up for a couple of months, but it had gone away. Mostly, my son's tics are controlled by the bipolar meds he's on.

 

anyways, the neurologist said it cant hurt, when they flare up, to get checked for Strept. There is more and more general acceptance in the medical community that strept can cause anxiety and tics in some kids. its called PANDAS, and they treat it with antibiotics.

 

I also saw a family once who found some food sensitivities set of their son's tics.

 

My kids are gifted but fairly low performing for their ability. My older son was in school through 7th, in special ed, and my youngest only went to K. they were miserable. I try to ignore where they 'should' be and meet them where they are, and now i'm also planning out a future plan for my teen, as far as school/training/job. I am looking at it as a starter job, and hoping he'll continue to mature well in to his 20s and eventually be able to make his own plan . . .

 

(i'm also newer to the forum than you are . . .)

[Tiramisu]

I just want to say hi to Element, too! I saw your post about the EDS on the General Board, I think, and responded. You are very welcome here. I just LOVE the SN moms. I've learned so much. And I don't think many of us have dc with SN in the typical way, whatever that is. There are lots of us with 2E or something like it.

 

Oops, dh is home, so I gotta run....but I am so happy to have you here. :grouphug:

 

just to throw this out there - my 16 yo son has tics (but starting around 8), and i finally got the official tourettes dx about a year and a half ago. I mentioned that he had had a really bad flare-up for a couple of months, but it had gone away. Mostly, my son's tics are controlled by the bipolar meds he's on.

 

anyways, the neurologist said it cant hurt, when they flare up, to get checked for Strept. There is more and more general acceptance in the medical community that strept can cause anxiety and tics in some kids. its called PANDAS, and they treat it with antibiotics.

 

I also saw a family once who found some food sensitivities set of their son's tics.

 

My kids are gifted but fairly low performing for their ability. My older son was in school through 7th, in special ed, and my youngest only went to K. they were miserable. I try to ignore where they 'should' be and meet them where they are, and now i'm also planning out a future plan for my teen, as far as school/training/job. I am looking at it as a starter job, and hoping he'll continue to mature well in to his 20s and eventually be able to make his own plan . . .

 

(i'm also newer to the forum than you are . . .)

 

We had a scary episode with tics several years ago. It lasted about 2 months. It built up slowly, peaked until her whole body was involved, and then gradually went away. It never came back again, not even a little. No more tics ever. Dd had a lot of anxiety around that time, too. She also had one year when she many episodes of strep, so I think she just might have it in her system. No one brought up PANDAS--not the ped or the neurologist--but I always wonder if that's what she had.

Edited August 11, 2012 by NJKelli

[happycc]

My oldest child who is 18yrs old had tics.....

 

the following things made it worse for him: yeast-too much carbs, and the chlorine in pools.

 

Before going into the pool with chlorine, I gave him a bath of epson salt as well as afterwards. I rinsed his hair and body as soon as he got out of the pool.

 

This helped his tics. He eventually had to get on medications because he refused to follow the diet and vitamins regimen (Resperidal, Geodon, Abilify, Seroquel, Lamictal-the last three are his current meds and he has been on them forever). We also had him on the gfcf/scd as well as enzymes.

 

My 3rd child also had tics around the same age as your child and again..controlling they yeast made it go away. She also had rashes down there. Lots of acidophilus and grape fruit seed extract, decrease carbs and sugars.

 

My 6th child is now also experiencing the same thing. She had tics pretty bad last year. She was 8yrs old. It is gone now so long as I make sure she takes her acidophilus every night and decrease carbs and sugar. I haven't tortured her with grape fruit seed extract yet. I may consider it. Somewhere I heard Microciden or something like that is good.