Few days ago our son graduated from his therapeutic school. Next year is mainstream High School. There many challenges ahead of us but I feel like we can face them now because we, as family in very different place now. When I look back I am amazed at the fears we had.
We were afraid of medications but what a positive difference medication made in his life. He is not longer at grip of his never ending mood swings . Medication did not make him into a zombie but actually, it had an exact opposite effect. Now, instead of dealing with never ending mood swings and paranoia , my son can channel his energy toward creative projects and study. He is an amazing cook and programmer.
We were devastated when public school insisted on a transfer to therapeutic school. We imagined Gulag like setting, isolation rooms and restraints. Nothing could have been further from the truth. My son finally was in a place where teachers understood who he was and worker daily with him, along with therapists and behavioral specialist on learning how to become highly functional human being. Our son made several close friends.
We had fear of mandatory family therapy. We were so used to teacher and strangers in stores accusing us of being bad parents s of a "spoiled brat". Instead, in the family therapy we found support and understanding of our difficulties. Were were finally given practical advice on how how to deal with life. We were encouraged rather than berated.
We got our family life back, our young son became a joyful little boy again not a scared neglected sibling whose needs always came second to one crisis or another.
Are we anxious about the high school years and future and future in general? We are, but we are not longer afraid.
We were afraid of medications but what a positive difference medication made in his life. He is not longer at grip of his never ending mood swings . Medication did not make him into a zombie but actually, it had an exact opposite effect. Now, instead of dealing with never ending mood swings and paranoia , my son can channel his energy toward creative projects and study. He is an amazing cook and programmer.
We were devastated when public school insisted on a transfer to therapeutic school. We imagined Gulag like setting, isolation rooms and restraints. Nothing could have been further from the truth. My son finally was in a place where teachers understood who he was and worker daily with him, along with therapists and behavioral specialist on learning how to become highly functional human being. Our son made several close friends.
We had fear of mandatory family therapy. We were so used to teacher and strangers in stores accusing us of being bad parents s of a "spoiled brat". Instead, in the family therapy we found support and understanding of our difficulties. Were were finally given practical advice on how how to deal with life. We were encouraged rather than berated.
We got our family life back, our young son became a joyful little boy again not a scared neglected sibling whose needs always came second to one crisis or another.
Are we anxious about the high school years and future and future in general? We are, but we are not longer afraid.
to you for your loss.
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