To Label a Disorder or not?

Mysterious Child's Mom writes again.

What is a label? ADD, ADHD, OCD, Autism = what exactly? Yes, they help us find on line, the kinds of treatments available. They help us know what to "expect" from our mysterious child. They also tell others what to expect from them.

I want my son to have every chance to be who he is, not what people expect from the label assigned him. Which means, so far, I have nothing to type in the search engine to find my child on line. Some days, that is frustrating. Other days, that is liberating.

Oh, I know many others have found a label has afforded them respite, funding and a teacher's aid. I do not begrudge them that. Lord knows, we all need a little help sometimes. So why am I so leery to have my son labeled?

What's in a name?

It's Hard to know Which End is Up.

Mysterious Child's Mom writes again.

Well, some days are just like that... I get confused.

I have this on-going "approach/avoid" thing with testing. I have had some testing done and found it to be more confusing than helpful. I am not sure I wanted him labeled and so.... when the time gets close, I avoid.

We just had our annual check up and Dr. thinks he should go get some testing done and gave him a script for meds. We tried two weeks of meds and decided to take him off. Now I have several appointments (some two years away) to have him evaluated and labeled.

I guess some days I just don't know what to do. Some days I have my head in the sand... some days... I think it'll be something he'll drag around his whole life .. some days I'm afraid I'm not doing enough... other days .. I think he's a genius and there's nothing wrong except that his mother doesn't understand him.

It's hard to know what end is up on these days.

Son of my Joy

Mysterious Child's Mom writes again.

In the Biblical Story of Jacob; his wife Rachel dies soon after her second son is born and says to name him "Benjamin .. son of my joy". I have chosen to call my son that in these blogs because I have often thought it was the perfect name for him.
Not only was he long awaited, wanted and an answer to my mother's heart ... he was such a funny, silly, lovely child .. and still is.

People who know our family .. know that Ben is usually the child that brings laughter and drama to our lives. The stories of his antics will show up from time to time in my blogs. It's usually him ... he's the one who brings joy to many. He's funny. He's dramatic. He's expressive. He's sensitive and a child of joy.

Sounds wonderful, right?
Yeah... not always. This is about real life. He brings me alot of worry. He sometimes knows something is different and he gets depressed. He has feelings of insecurity and fear that raise their ugly heads at the most inopportune times.

Doctors are quick to say... meds. I resist.. I want him to be who he's created to be.. not a flat, controlled version. I like who he is, mostly. I search for what is right for him ... I will try many things.

I try to focus on the positive in his life ...
he is Benjamin.