[QUOTE=BL Moretti]My son, adopted from Russia age 3 was exposed to alcohol and no prenatal care. Left at a hospital age 8 months and spent 2 years in the orphanage.
I got a diagnosis early on of FAS, (she said the term FAE is no longer used because even some kids with no facial clues can have severe FAS.) She measured his little fingers and examined the whorls in his hair and said his eye slits were too small and his head to small. I pointed out his Mongolian heritage, they have that sort of slanted eyes, and asked if it was not true that restricting liquids and lack of stimulation might not be the cause of his head size. I told her our therapist tested him just before his 4th birthday and he tested above average in everything. She said he will probably have average intelligence but it will be hard to keep him safe because he will be so implusive. She said he would not have friends.
The thing that scares me about FAS would be having a child who could never care for themselves. I suppose my son's mother's drinking did have an affect, I am lucky. So far He is doing well in school (3rd grade) and he has friends. He is not really inplusive. He is a physical hyper child. He takes a tiny dose of Concerta (18). Dietary changes made a big difference, along with some carefully chosen suppliments, and I am working with a doctor who does exercises for balance integration and to eliminate infantile reflexes.
I find it hard to decide which of his symptoms are FAS, ADHD, or lack of care as a baby. Mostly he is just very active and without the medication it is hard for him to pay attention in school. He has no trouble paying attention if he wants to. Amazing things are happening in the field of brain development. I am hopeful for all of our kids.
Kudos to you for taking on a child the way you did. For me I have already been repayed tenfold. I really believe I needed him as much as he needed me.
Read the book by Sally Goddard called Relfexes, Learning and Behavior. See if you see your daughter in there.
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I loved reading your post, it brought tears to my eyes! It is so awesome that the two of you found each other!
It amazes me that the professionals can say the things they said to you in regards to the fetal alcohol and he is living a completely different life! Even if he was so impulsive, the medicine today can really help with that! Obviously, the Doctor was not accurate with the things she said, even the comment that he would have no friends, how can anyone say that?!
I am so glad that he is living his life and proving the professional wrong!
And bravo zulu to you too - way to go!!
My son is 9 and has adhhhhhhhhhhd and is very impulsive. I don't know what the difference with the Fetal Alcohol syndrome is, however, I have read that fetal alcohol syndrom is very similar to adhd. I just know that medication really saved his life! He is on concerta and guanfacine. The guanfacine helps with his overstimulation, really well! Upping concerta and not guanfacine at one time didn't even help until the guanfacine was increased! It has been a godsend.
We tried adderal xr, but it didn't like my son at all. He became aggitated, even looked high with his eyes all red and dialated! Make sure the medication she is taking is the best for her to help make her the most successful she can be during her day!
It sounds like you have a handle on things and are moving in the right direction with the therapy. She is lucky to have you!
Does she have any friends at school? That will help her feel more secure, especially being a girl!
Regards!
Mosiac