Daughter's Behaviors

Yesterday I received the report on the Functional Behavioral Assessment completed by a Certified Behavioral Analsyst through the school.

My daughter's behaviors at school were even worse than I had thought. She was reportedly laying on the floor for most of the day; chewing on her sleeves, pencils, not complying with teachers directions, running away, climbing trees, hugging the staff, talking to peers without them responding to her, talking and singing to herself, pacing around the room, yelling to other kids (not responding), not making eye contact, screaming, rolling on the floor, crawling under the desks, running out of the classroom, as well as failing to interact appropriately with peers.

This increases my anger that the school has more then once labelled her as "average." I am angry at myself too because early on in her life her symptoms were present, but then she was put on medication, which helped. I remember thinking that she might be autistic because of the humming that she does whenever she is "zoned in" on something.

I didn't really understand Autism then (and I still don't now but I know it a little better). The humming reminded me of another child with Autism but that particular child didn't speak. When Piper began to speak I dismissed it. I went down the ADHD road, the Bipolar road, the Dyslexia road (and she definitely has ADHD and Dyslexia as well), and the Autism thing kept coming back up.

Her Neurologist has made the PDD-NOS diagnosis based on my observations, the schools testing, neuro-psychological testing, the schools comments in communication books, and the fact that he has been involved with Piper for the past 3 years.

I am angry about the way my daughter's teacher implied that Piper's learning problems were all abotu me not practicing her spelling words and homework with her. I have gone over and over again in my head thinking that i am the reason for her difficulties. I know that living with my parents before living with me probably does have an environmental aspect to her condition that probably contributed to her problems in some way. However, I am feeling that the genetic aspect of her condition, combined with the fact that my other children do not have the same issues despite being in a similar living situation, makes it clear that this is accurate.

I have endured criticism by other parents, the school, my own parents, family, and friends all that think I just have this desire to give my daughter a label.

Reading this FBA has made me feel more confident that finally an independent evaluation has proven that my daughter's behaviors are linked to something other then me just being a bad mother.

I absolutely believe that she is on the Autistic Spectrum and finally her behaviors, the dyslexia, the ADHD it all just makes so much more sense now. It may be a while before the school will accept the diagnosis and I may have to get even more testing (Sigh, this poor child has been put through a battery of tests) but eventually I will get her the services she needs.

The school must provide my daughter with certain services and no matter how long it takes I am going to get them for her. I am definitely interested in hearing other peoples stories! Thank you for listening. My daughter is not this monster they portray her as. She is a sweet, loving, little girl who loves to please. She just needs to understand what is being asked of her in order to do it correctly.