[HappyHippy]

Hi all 
As you may (or may not) know, my wee girl has some 'issues' - we believe she falls under the autistic spectrum and/or ADHD symptoms, she's currently being assessed by all sorts of people who are concentrating on this. One thing which has been mentioned on more than a couple of occaisions is that she might have an overactive thyroid. I found out last week that both my grandmother and my mum suffered from this (although if you'd seen the size of my bum you'd know I've definately NOT got the same problem ) So we're taking her for blood tests, since we're doing this anyway I'd like to get her full blood count too, as there are links between aenemia and behavioural problems so just feel it's worth checking.
Anyway now that I've got the waffle out of the way, my question is this - Can anyone suggest anything else which might be worth looking for with blood tests which may be having an effect on her behaviour ?
I have to add that we are really careful and don't feed her processed food, additives, colours etc - so know it's not just hyperness. Nor is it down to the way she's been brought up cos her sister's a 'perfect' kid (well, MOST of the time )
So any sensible advice would be really welcome. Thanks 

[ukag0972]

Hi
I have a child with similar "issues".
He didn't speak till he was 5. I couldn't take him anywhere as his behaviour was out of control. He didn't sleep. He would resort to violence to vent his frustration...the list could go on.
It took me years of badgering to get him seen by a specialist. He's on the spectrum but the answer was sleeping tablets which I said no to.
We persevered and he's now 9 and doing well at school (as well as can be!!), his behaviour is much improved, his speech has come on(there is still letters he can't say).
There is not always a reason why kids have issues. Some grow out of it (God, i sound like an old granny!!). Don't think that there is a specific medical reason, and don't rely on a diagnosis of one.
But, there is a light at the end of, what can be, a very long tunnel!!!
Good luck

[HappyHippy]

Thanks Lee  , we're just trying to rule out things that it ISN'T at the moment. We're still waiting for our appointment with child and family clinincs - I suppose it's just groundwork to try and speed things up a bit for when we do finally get seen !
Karen x

[ukag0972]

You need to learn to badger! Don't take their advice if you think they're fobbing you off! You can always ask for a second opinion! If you get no joy with the clinic, ask your doc to refer you straight to yorkhill, they are the best!!
As a parent, we always want an answer, we need an explanation of why our kids are like they are! We want something to blame for the issues.
No one had ever mentioned any blood tests to me, never asked about a thyroid. I suppose all doctors have different ideas and experiences.
Good luck with your quest! X

[JulieS]

I'm afraid I can't help with any advice on the blood tests Karen.

Just wanted to wish you good luck with everything, and to agree that you should never shop pushing until you are satisfied with the answers.

I used to be one of those 'old fashioned' people (I still am in a lot of ways!! lol) that believed that if a Doctor told you something it must be true, and to never question them.  That was until my youngest was born and if I had believed what the first doctor told we would have lost my son......He's now 16, 6'6" tall and a rugby player!

So, keep asking.

[HappyHippy]

Thanks for the support guys 
We went today (I was dreading it - expected a HUGE fuss from her) but she was so good. I'm bursting with pride at how well she sat, she even watched what they were doing (something that even I can't do !) and on the way out said "Thank you Dr Kerr, I've had great fun today, see you again soon" BIZARRE CHILD ! So now we wait..................................the results should be in late next week. As I said we're just trying to rule out things that it's not, she seems to have bits and pieces of lots of 'conditions' and according to the psycologist she's a "very complex case" - yeah, right ! Tell me about it  I know there's no 'magic cure' and even if/when we get a diagnosis it's not actually going to change anything. But I'll just keep on researching, trying things and hoping we get something that helps a bit, eventually!
It's really not in my nature to be pushy or confrontational, but when it comes to my kids (like all other mum's out there) I'm definately not to be messed with 

[shetlandpaul]

shes a kid so they can always be diffrent. my oldest has dysplaxia and dyslexia. these are very family traits through me. they wrote her off as a 5 year old as being educationally subnormal. she starts uni next year.

you need a very good consultant. it may be worth a brain scan but even if they found some damage they can't treat it. just don't give up the education experts are the major problem. a few good teachers helped our daughter no end.

[HappyHippy]

Hi Shetlandpaul,
I'm very lucky, the school have been FANTASTIC. They're really going above and beyond what I even hoped they might do. The head's calling in all sorts of favours from people he knows and the teachers are working on stuff for her in their own time. I think it's because they realise she's not a 'bad' kid, she's so loving and loveable  and very smart, TOO smart sometimes  I've heard so many horror stories of schools that just don't care, but count myself very lucky to have the support from the school

[ukag0972]

I too have an excellant school. The school role is only 13, and jack has an SEN assistant with him all the time and the head/teacher loves working with him as, he too, is so adorable, hard work, yet adorable!!

[little blue]

Hi happyhippy, just wanted to say hope the test help out.
Does your daughter have an Occupational Therapist?  Theres  lots of tests/assessments they can do to help identify different conditons and ways to overcome 'issues'.  
Its good to hear the school is supportive!

[Fluffywelshsheep]

good luck Karen, as i have said before i was written off in junior school (4/5)for being think and stupid. I found that the more people siad no the more I wanted to do things

The only problem i have now is i still get frustrated if i can't do something

Linz

[MiriMaran]

Good luck with the tests and as you can imagine I'd be very interested to hear the results!

[Sudanpan]

Hi,
Have you ever considered investigating other physical therapies that might help with the behavioural issues? Sometimes a cranio-sacral therapy route, or cranial osteopathy, can be used to ease off the any unbalanced tensions within the system. It is a very gentle approach but can have remarkable results.
All the best
Tish

[HappyHippy]

Hi Tish, we've tried the crainial osteopathy with no real result's I'm afraid. Reiki has worked wonders for calming her down though 
The blood test results show that everything's fine. No aenemia, no overactive thyroid, no deficiencies etc etc etc so it's reassuring to know she's fine and it rules them out from having any effect on her. So it's back to the drawing board as they say and await further appointments - I HATE waiting, I'm sooooo impatient 

[shetlandpaul]

in a way thats good news.