So Much Has Happened!

What a crazy end of the year it has been!!! Crazy, but fun. We finally got a diagnosis of ADHD and ODD (Opositional Defiance Disorder) for Aidan. The psychiatrist also thinks he has some anxiety issues, as far as dwelling on things and worrying. Nothing clinical, but something to keep an eye on. We have also noticed some OCD symptoms. He is very particular about meal time, but not all the time. He usually has to have a different piece of silverware for each food, and he likes his "space" at the table a certain way, with nothing intruding his space!!! He is also particular about furniture sometimes, and he seems to have an obsessions with his lips and mouth lately (picking at his lips, playing with his lips, putting fingers in is mouth...). We don't think it's enought to be concerned with at this point, but again we are keeping an eye on it.

We discovered that ankle weights (those used for exercise) work really well for Aidan. Amazingly, they calm him! His body movements become more controlled, and he doesn't act so impulsive. We also finally got the weighted belt we ordered for him. He wears it under his shirt. We just got it a couple weeks ago, and he isn't sure how he feels about it yet. It is a bit bulkier and cumbersome than we had expected, so it bothers him after a while. Although, after wearing for a time, he seems to be able to stay calmer and more focused, even when he takes a break from wearing it. It is really quite extraordinary actually!!!

He has worn the ankle weights to school, and it has seemed to help. We will try the belt when school starts again on Monday. He really likes the feeling of being weighted down. I think he feels like his arms and legs are floating, and the weights seem to help him feel grounded. I don't know if this will be enough to help him academically at school, but as far as his defiant behavior goes, the weights have drastically improved that! He has been much easier to handle at home and at church, and anyone can see a difference when we forget to have him wear the weights to church! He is still the same child, just a more controlled Aidan! It has been a beautiful thing! We may still do medicine, depending on how school goes. But it would be so great to not have to!!!

Anyways, Christmas time was wonderful. Vacation was way too short, but time with family up north was great! My boys love their cousins so much, and I hate having to leave at the end of a great visit!!!

Ok, I will post more later. Hopefully, I won't take so long next time. To all my faithful readers...thanks for waiting.

Cherene :)