Update - L's new diagnosis

With the last therapist that L had they did there best to make me feel crazy. The therapist switched out three times, going up in level as her behaviors deteriorated. The last therapist saw the 'attacks'. She was completely helpless to do anything about them. But my daughter was so cute that she would come to therapy - when she remembered - and just play with her. The final verdict was that she was throwing temper tantrums due to bad parenting. She declared this in front of the psychiatrist who reminded the therapist that L was justifiably on anxiety medication and mood medication.

To me the most frustrating thing is to have someone who does not take the time to listen to what you have to say. It is even worse when they listen but then have forgotten it all by the next time that they have seen you. The least a therapist can do is relook at my kids chart before an appointment.

It is no wonder that we decided to switch services. Although officially it was due to a change in health insurance.

I have aspergers. This means that I really do not over-exaggerate situations. If anything I tend to underemphasize them. Three days of non stop raging tends to be described as a tough weekend. When L had her rage I just let the bruises speak for themselves. Maybe this is why it is so easy for a therapist to brush away my concerns. I respect any psychological professional who listens to what I have to say, and respects me for the background I have both with my child and educationally as well. I do have an MS in developmental psychology, and do have professional experience working with children with autism.

L is afraid of the psychiatrist. I think it is more that she was ashamed of what she did. I think she should be ashamed of what she did, so we can make better choices next time. What I tell her is that it is in the past, here are the consequences of your actions (she has to continually see the bruises) and we need to do better in the future. Then I dropped it. I knew that it was enough for her, unless she does it again.

I really like it when my children act up at their appointments. It makes it easier for them to see what I am talking about.

This Saturday was great, the more I talked the more the psychologist nodded her head and said "I can see why you say it is aspergers" or "maybe it is aspergers". L walked out with a new diagnosis, one I think is more appropriate then her last diagnosis - which was mood disorder - nos. She is currently diagnosed with aspergers (yes I know it does not technically exist - but it will not go away despite what the DSM people say) and bipolar. I am not sold on the bipolar - I believe the aggression is a part of the aspergers. You can read all my posts on violence and aspergers to see my view point on that. However, the aspergers diagnosis will now justify the services that she is already suppose to be receiving - such as help with transitions, and social skills support.