Please help in explaining testing/treatments

[faith]

Could anyone plealse help me? I am at a loss on how to explain to my son's teacher the kind of testing and treatments we are doing in regards to his tics. It is obvious now to the teacher that he has a tic disorder (since our last visit to nuerologist, we havn't had an "official" diagnosis, but it's obvious that this is what we are dealing with -- and medication was not discussed as symptoms were not enough to warrant that route yet.) Since then, as most of you are aware, we are seeing a DAN doctor and have started a testing and treatment plan with a naturopath, so I am not up to trying medication yet, as we are still in the midst of this alternative route. Just when I think he may be doing better since modifying his diet per the food sensitivity testing, the teacher saw me this morning and asked how the testing went (she knows I am persuing this avenue, but I don't think she has a clue to what type of tests we are doing and the kinds of things implicated with this disorder), and she acted like she thought he was doing worse! She notices his noise (like a ahem!) and eye twitching. God, I'm dying here. I was unprepared of what to say to her, and just told her we found some vitamin deficiencies (B!2) and are addressing this with B12 shots. We kept getting interupted so I don't think she was really absorbing what I was saying and I was even tongue tied as to how to explain.

 

I guess what I'm asking is how I can explain why this alternative, naturopathic way can help. I understand it myself, but how do you put it into words that someone else can understand how these treatments, i.e. vitamins, etc. can have an aeffect on a nuerological symptom? What we know is all broken up in bits an pieces. I don't think I can ever put it all into words and will probably type out a letter to better summarize what we are doing. Or should I? I just want her to know that I am aware of what is going on with my son and amy trying to find the roots of his symptoms and address that. She knows we are using "integrative and alternative docs")

 

Does anyone have a simple (yet complicated!) explanation of what this type of testing and treatment can hope to accomplish? I am at a complete loss of how to explain it to anyone, even my mother. People will just think, what does that have to do with the neurological system?

 

If anyone has any suggestions or a few sentences I can use to explain to her that can help this all make sense, I would deeply appreciate it. My husband left for work this morning saying half jokingly "Happy Valentines Day", and all I could do was sit down and cry.

 

Faith

[Chemar]

Faith

why do you need to give the teacher details of what you are doing? Surely a simple "we are running tests and trying various treatments to find the most effective one" should suffice?

 

For your mom or family etc...you could explain that you are concerned about potential bad side effects from pharmacological medications and so are first exploring the natural treatment options that have proven to be very successful for many people. If you have Sheila's book, you could give that to your mom to look at.

 

 

that is how I would handle it.

 

you sound like you need one of these

[Cum Passus]

Faith,

 

As mothers we dedicate our lives to our children's personal, academic, social, and spiritual development.

Put in writing the reasons why you want to do alt. treatments. This will help clarify your goals, strengthen your thinking, and your resolve. Even if your only reason is because you love your child more then anyone.

 

Your child looks into your eyes and sees, You are love. To him you are a living St. Valentine.

 

God Bless

C.P.

[Dedee]

Faith,

 

I agree with Chemar. You really do not owe the school system or his teacher an expanation. I have had to deal with this recently and decided before I made my statement that I am the parent, therefore I make no excuses for my decisions which are based on love and my sons best interest. Basically I just told them that my son has a autoimmune illness (PANDAS) that may cause some behavior that is out of character for him and if they notice this I would like to be notified. I explained that we are in the testing stages, looking for a treatment and he would be missing some school. They were not very happy with that, but my son is an A -B student, and I explained that we must balance his physical, mental and educational development at this time and get him completely healthy so that he may move forward. Again, make no excuses or apologizies for your decisions as a parent. You know your childs needs best, stand firm and strong in your love for your child. This I have learned above all else over the last few months. I know you feel discouraged now, and I am sorry for your pain. Just remember that things will get better. A normal happy enviornment is the best thing for your child right now. I realize how hard that sounds to you, but sending big (((hugs))) your way and hoping you have a better day.

 

Peace and Grace,

Dedee