Yesterday my H and I and daughter got her final diagnosis from her psych testing. It turns out she is almost a mirror image of me. I have not been formally diagnosed but now I really don't have to because I'm seeing everything in my child that I have. I've read a lot and was pretty sure I've got a non-verbal learning disorder and an auditory processing problem as well as ADD. To meet me you'd never guess I had these problems because I've learned to hide them well over the years and compensate. The sad thing is that I suffered greatly growing up emotionally and mentally with all the internal struggles I went through to overcome these things. I don't want my child to go through what I did so I am going to do everything I can for her. I'm just really sad that it turns out she has all three problems and is going to have to be classified 504 in school. I'm also scared because I know what I was like as a teenager. I know it will get really hard at times especially with the fact that I have the same problems as her. I know I can teach her a lot of things from my own experiences but I know I will need help. With the loss of my Dad, my Mom living alone around the corner and my daughter having ADD and the other problems I am so overwhelmed. I feel like my world has been turned upside down. Sorry to go on so long. I just wish it was better news for my daughter. Dee

i am not worried about your daughter one bit. and here's why, she has you!

she has someone in her corner who *understands* her. you will be able to help her face any challenges she may meet. and, even anticipate a few and nip them in the bud before they become a big problem.

you care, you understand her, and you are ready to get her the help she needs. go dee! you sound like a very caring, and loving mom. just what your daughter will need to insure a bright future.

all you need to do now is love and accept her just the way she is. just as, i suspect, you wish you were loved and accepted by your mom just for being Dee. unconditional love, it's a powerful force. certainly more powerful than a 504 classification!!!!

take care, dee. wheezie

Thanks Wheezie, for the vote of confidence. I know I've got a hard road ahead but I know with help from the right doctors and others I can do this. No one knew much about these things when I was a child but my daughter is so very lucky to be getting all the help she needs, not only from professionals but from someone that can honestly say they've been where she is, me. On Friday we finish up her last round of tests. This one is for Auditory Processing. After we get the results from that test then we can go and talk to the school. I have a great psychologist who is going to go with us and make sure they know exactly what she needs. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes. Thanks again for the kind post. Dee

Thanks Wheezie, for the vote of confidence. ...my daughter is so very lucky to be getting all the help she needs ...from someone that can honestly say they've been where she is, me. ...

darn tootin', dee! glad you can see what a wonderful help you'll be for her!!!

and, you welcome. ;)

wheezie.