Bipolar Kids

It's very important that he does learn that he's different.

Your son knows that he is different, I feel it is best to be open about how and why he is different. In my opinion being open will validate his feelings. I would watch the show with him and talk about it before, during and after.

I'm not a mom to a child with Bi-Polar, but I'm a mom to a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disorders. She's 9 years old and is the middle child with two sisters. We've never hidden the fact that she has ASD. She knows that it's simply the name that describes the things that she notices are different about herself. When/if she has questions we answer them. It used to break my heart when she would cry and ask why her brain wasn't working right, and why things are harder for her than other children. Insisting she wasn't any different than anyone else not only was a transparent lie, but at a very young age she knew that the truth was preferable. The truth gave her comfort and a reason for why things were the way they were and are.

So instead of reassuring her she's not different than others, I've taken a lesson and phrase from Temple Grandin and I tell my sweet girl that she's "Different, not less." I love her as she is, and my job as her mother isn't to change who she is or what she is or the core of her, but to accept her... and to help her navigate the world. It's also my job to figure things out for her and with her, and the best way to do that is to be honest with her. At least, as honest as I can be in terms that she would understand.

My daughter does take some comfort and satisfaction in knowing that there are other children at school that are "like her" with special needs and that there are children at school that specifically have an Autism diagnosis. As she gets older, she's showing more interest in knowing who has the diagnosis but she seems to naturally gravitate toward those children (although that could be because I'm friends with all of their moms, but she still seems to connect with them very well).

What I would do is wait and see. Look into your local support groups. Talk to your pediatrician and see if they have a list of support groups, or check with local pediatric psychologists and psychiatrists.

I know you said your son was already diagnosed, but I would get second opinions and third opinions. Be a squeaky wheel. If you haven't already, get a referral to a dietician. You can discuss dietary changes, lifestyle changes, medications if needed, and if there are other issues at play (ADHD? other mood disorders? BPD?).

Ask the school to do a formal evaluation if you haven't yet, and they must provide one free of charge. They'll set up a PPT (Planning and Placement Team Meeting) to discuss your concerns, especially if his behaviors affect his schooling. They can work in tandem with your outside specialists and the diagnosis alone qualifies him for special services within an IEP aka Individual Education Plan since I'm assuming his behaviors affect his schooling. An evaluation will help target the behaviors that need to be worked on, and observations on their part will be part of that evaluation.

If you don't have him in therapy, I would get him into therapy. I don't think it's too soon for that. Services both in and out of school are important. Bi-Polar legally counts as a disability, so you should look into seeing what he qualifies for with the state as well.

I don't know. I was talking to a friend a couple months ago about Andy having Autism spectrum. He overheard me and asked what is Autism spectrum. Err

It just struck me that for all he knows is different about himself he didn't know what it was called.

In some ways I think it is good. A few of his friends have the same thing and that was one of his comments, doesn't so and so have that, but he is different.

I know I am rambling here but I think there is something to be said about finding your own way.

Here's a question to ask your husband - why does dad think his son doesn't ALREADY think he's different? Children are not stupid. They KNOW they are different, especially if they are struggling.

I would think that understanding WHY you are struggling would empower you to deal with it better and be a part of improving. He needs to know he is not alone, and your husband needs to accept that his son IS different, and that he needs to help him deal with that reality. The more courage dad can demonstrate in dealing with it, the better example your son will have for the courage to deal with it himself. He sounds like he's already doing a great job. Hugs to you all.

I have a son on the spectrum. He's only 5 so we haven't had a talk about it specifically. I know it's in the future and I hope I can handle it well for him in a positive way. (One way I explain it to myself is that he's a "Mac" kid in a "Windows" world - he's got the info, but his programming is a bit different, and the operating systems just don't match up exactly.) Maybe there's a similar way for you to picture it in words so he can easily explain it to others when he needs to.

I do not have a child w/ bipolar. Nor do I have boys. I do know that my friend, Sue, brought her 19 yr old son back to the doctor about bipolar meds.
Her son decided to give the meds a try. He's been on them for a few months now. It has helped him so much !

I have sensory issues to the point that they have affected me over the years. One of my girls has sensory, too. At first, I felt so guilty.

I never received help for it. It's been a rough road !

Since I am a parent educator. I knew the steps to take to help w/ my child. One step was to have her begin OT. I took her to OT for a long time. OT helped tremendously.

So many people and relatives told me that she would be "fine" and didn't need OT. I have it and know the struggles.

Have a talk w/ the doctor and make your decision based on your SONS needs. Also, you know the struggles all too well. Your son needs an advocate. Do what is best for him and his well-being.

I am sorry to hear that and I would like to salute you for your ability to be strong because I have two little boys and I totally understand how difficult it is raise even a regular kid in this scary world let alone a little kid with some condition. But trust me, your child and you will find that strength to deal with this in a very effective manner if you "just do the next right thing". Dont think about the whole big future....just think of the next right thing you can do for him and the next best thing you can do to make things easier for yourself and him and then it will honestly get better and easier each day. It sure will and put your trust in God for He gives us strength when we find none left in us anymore.