We Can Do This

Today was an interesting day. A day that I have been waiting for since our STBAD (soon to be adopted daughter) came to live with us. Part of the transition of adoption is counseling. We knew that. We expected that.

What I didn't expect was the information I received in the binder that her foster parent had kept. She kept very good records. In a binder...better organized than me. But don't let me regress.

The information was surprising...if not shocking. When you adopt, you get to read a "child summary". What I learned is...it is just that. A summary. It doesn't tell you everything. It doesn't tell you what you need to know. Not even during the interview process did they disclose this information. Very upsetting.

But we can do this.

We were told of some diagnosis. SOME. Like two...and they didn't believe that one even really applied.

So today, I was able to get our daughter into the center for her intake. I gave the intake person all the information that I had. I gave her a list of all the behaviors that we have documented....and others things that we noticed.

She mentioned a different diagnosis than what we were told.

This diagnosis makes sense. It is something that we have "heard of". But it isn't an official diagnosis. Thankfully counseling will start soon. Our daughter will receive in-home counseling (which is totally awesome!) and meds will be monitored by another person and she will also have a treatment "manager" who will be monitoring everyone...and I get to complain to her if I don't like what is happening!

As soon as I can get a response from the case worker concerning the doctor...I am requesting genetic testing. I am hoping this will nail down a REAL diagnosis without all the guessing.

The thing is, even with this possible diagnosis, I know it is going to be hard. Heck, when you are told that there have been two failed adoption placements that they are admitting to, you know there is a serious problem. But knowing what it is helps in such a big way.

At least it does for me. I am a problem solver. I need to know what I am up against. If I know the problem, I can start working on a solution even if it isn't the right one.

I need a plan!

Next step is working with the school on an IEP that will benefit her and help her succeed.