Challenges

Yesterday I spent half the day with the neurobehaviorist trying to decide how to help Anthony. Figuring out what is going on with him is very difficult. He is dealing with several challenges: genetics, drug and alcohol exposure in utero, early neglect and then 3 years as a foster child. If we had chosen not to adopt he would have then had another move and another loss and trauma.

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When dealing with issues it is hard to determine what the source is. Could this be genetic, environmental, from neglect? How do you best deal with it? Can it be corrected? We want to help Anthony to succeed in life, how to we do that?

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Last year when he was evaluated Anthony was still going to visitation. The day of visitation and several days after were terrible. His behaviors were not manageable at home or school. At that evaluation he was diagnosed with possible bipolar. We thought that he was really young and with the visitations still happening didn't feel that we could get a definite diagnosis.

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Anthony has now been our son for over a year and has not had visitation for about 18 months. Many of his behaviors have settled down to a more manageable level. However, they have not gone away. Our concern is that they are hampering his education. He is struggling with his ability to process as well as some behavior issues.

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Once again, he has been diagnosed with Bipolar II. I really like this doctor, he takes the time to talk with you and answer all your questions. I really do need to tape him, he brings out the white erase board and shows me everything on a neurological level. Many of the behavior issues we have been dealing with are explained with Bipolar.

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The time has come for us to move forward with that diagnosis and see if we can get him the proper help. I have really struggled with this diagnosis but denial does not help. Hopefully by getting it under control now we can break the cycle that his biological family has been stuck in.