Bad Timing

Yesterday evening, my 6 yr old had his first appointment with a child psychologist to be evaluated for possible "absence seizure disorder" vs ADD/ADHD. The appointment was at 5:20, I think the Dr. might have been suffering from an absence disorder himself since he didn't come in until about 6:40. Thankfully there was 1 child's book & 1 child's magazine in the room, I think I have the stories & articles memorized & I have brain fog people!

So anyway, the Dr. was charming & attentive once with us. He did leave the room about 3 times but eventually always came back. He had my son draw a picture of his family, Drew only included those living in our house, so then I had to explain why & where his sisters were. Ugh. Then the Dr. asked Drew to draw what he wanted to do this summer. My son made a picture of himself with his tongue out slurping an ice cream cone he was holding while outside the front gate of the zoo. It was very cute & in both these pictures everyone was smiling.

Then, my darling, sweet, innocent, charming child started drawing independently to occupy his vast amount of time during this appointment. He perfectly created a cyclone fence close to the bottom of the page & stick like borders on each side. Inside this enclosed area he drew what looked like many upside-down horse-shoes with a ball at the top-center of each. When asked what this was a picture of he excitedly responded: "That's a fence in the desert & those are traps with bombs & those are stick things so you can't get out." I nearly had to pop a xanax in front of the psych doctor! I awaited handcuffs to be hauled away for bad parenting. I covered my face in shock & shame. I spoke rapidly, defending myself & my child in honesty, "he's never drawn anything remotely like this ever! I don't watch the news on TV so the kids won't see anything they shouldn't - I read all my news on the Internet. I just don't understand!!! Drew, honey, is this from some sort of computer or video game or something?" "No" was his response, I sunk further into the stiff, bun-numbing chair with my shame. Of all the times to draw such a thing, it had to be in front of a child psychologist, great, just great!

So now, the doctor, who was there for Drew, spent about 3 minutes calming me down. What a nut job I must have seemed like to him. Never-the-less, I am a free woman, not condemned to putting square pegs in round holes & attending parenting classes. My son is to be scheduled with a specialist in another town for an EEG in a hyperventilated-sleep deprived state for a sleep study. Pending those results we will know if it is a seizure disorder-which could be what is effecting his speech, or if it is just (oh joy & lucky us) ADD/ADHD. The fun never ends I tell you. I was a tad concerned about how to hyperventilate a child who is currently suffering from hay fever/allergy induced asthma but was reassured it is somehow possible.

For now, Dear Readers, I will close, as I am downstairs & the loud crashing of children on furniture & hardwood floors overhead has me wondering about steel-reinforcement beams for the house. This noise is mingled with yelling, laughter & occasional cries so I suppose I must put on my drill Sargent hat & take charge of the situation. I wish you ear-plugs, a sturdy combat hat, nerves of steel & the best timing possible for all things in your life. Be Blessed Dear Readers, Be Blessed.