Our Shining Stars
Isaac
Isaac was recently diagnosed through Empact (the only option with his AHCCCS insurance) with ADHD, combined type. He was also evaluated for autism during a 1 hour zoom meeting, where they determined he doesn't have autism. However, for the 2 minutes that the interviewing nurse did video chat directly with him, she said she could see why I wanted him evaluated for autism, and to look into a re-evaluation down the road.
Also, during Isaac's recent 504 meeting, his mother requested an accommodation for his constant need to chew on things (shirts, backpacks, seatbelts, couch cushions, books...ANYTHING...), and the Special Education consultants paused and asked if he had been diagnosed with a Sensory Processing Disorder. They both strongly recommended he be re-evaluated more in-depth for something beyond ADHD.
He is a generally happy kid, but he seems to process through touch. He has a need to touch pretty much everything that seems atypical (as well as constantly putting things into his mouth subconsciously). He also seems to not understand social skills unless directly explained to him, and still he struggles a little bit. For example, he might suddenly turn to a peer during class and say "BAAA!!!" in their face as a way of trying to engage socially with them.
His family always thought he was "quirky" but his "quirks" seem to be becoming stronger and more consistent...and especially, they seem to be interfering with his social and academic life. The family feels if they could better understand what is going on with him, then they would be able to better meet his needs and look for specific services to help him.
From the mother: It would be such a blessing for us to have access to more thorough services to evaluate our child and to be able to better understand and meet his needs. At 7 years old, I feel like we are late on providing interventions, but better late than never? I don't know where to start because I don't get what's going on. I would just love for him to have better experiences at school, with friends at church and otherwise, and with siblings/cousins. The ability to know what is going on would definitely help us to better help him.