This study, coming out of Michigan State University, points to a growing body of research that says that low level lead exposure could be a factor in the increases in ADHD. This study was of 150 children in the Lansing area, and showed that the children with ADHD had higher levels of lead in their blood than those without ADHD.

Other studies have shown a link between low level lead exposure and lower IQs.

So, maybe we should be on the warpath about banning all toys from China and cleaning... more

Here’s yesterday’s observation on how healthy children and our special needs children handle change differently.

Yesterday during the church service our new pastor did something that hasn’t been done for a very long time (since two pastors back, over 7 years ago). She had the children all come up front for a Children’s Sermon. I watched as even the middle school-aged children nearly ran and break-neck speed to the front of the sanctuary. Of course, LuLu wanted to go, and we let her.

She immediately started ramping up anxiety wise and chattering.... more

An interesting dilemma that parents of special kids face is if or when it’s the “right time” to do certain medical procedures. Depending on your child’s challenges, you may have some very valid reasons for not pursuing a medical procedure that most parents would have their child undergo.

Right now, braces are the medical procedure we’re opting out of. LuLu’s teeth are incredibly crooked. In fact, she may not have enough space for all of them to come in. However, we’re opting to wait at this time, because we can’t imagine adding one more source of... more

The gynecologist suggested that LuLu may have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She was making this observation due to her elevated testosterone and other clues in her hormone test results from this summer. She ordered more tests to either confirm or deny this hypothesis.

Meanwhile, she sent me home to research PCOS. Didn’t she know I would have anyway? And then, of course, I’d share it with you. PCOS is a hormone imbalance. The main symptoms are irregular periods (too few or too many), weight gain, facial hair, and acne. One of the main hormone “clues” is high testosterone.

In our case, LuLu doesn’t have many of the symptoms of PCOS –only very frequent periods. ... more

I just calculated that it is mathematically probably that someone is PMSing every single week in this household, especially since LuLu’s body is holding up its end of the deal by having a cycle every 14-18 days. So if Kay and I are not in sync, we literally have this happening all the time at our house. Thankfully, Kay and I have a bit fewer symptoms during our pre-menstrual time. But as I said at first, No Wonder My Husband Travels!

I’ve watched since Sunday as the storm has been brewing. Last week LuLu was remarkably calm, but she’s been ramping up each... more

Tics are involuntary movements that can only be suppressed for a short time with considerable effort. They are not rhythmic; they are rapid, purposeless, and repetitive, movements that are nearly identical to one another. Tics may be simple such as excessive blinking, grimacing, or head jerking and may have begun from nervous habits. Tics may also be complex, as those in Tourette's syndrome, and may resemble fragments of normal behavior.

Many simple tics begin in childhood and disappear without treatment.... more

In a little less than two weeks, I am slated to give a presentation to the Northwest Georgia Foster & Adoptive Parent Association as part of their first “mini-conference”. I’m honored to be invited. I met their leaders at this year’s NACAC conference, where the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) was exhibiting. They extended the invitation to speak because their membership has expressed such concern and interest in attachment issues and attachment disorder.

I’m not surprised by this, as attachment issues are common among many adoptive and foster children. Although most won’t... more

Sometimes referred to as a rash by parents, impetigo is bacterial infection of the skin that is contagious. Quite often children arriving from orphanages or entering foster care are plagued by these infections. This is probably due to poor sanitation, close and overcrowded living quarters, poor diet, and lack of medical care. The two most common forms of bacteria that are responsible for impetigo are streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria. Streptococcus bacteria are also responsible for... more

LuLu is likely the most impulsive child I’ll ever meet. Watching her you can read nearly every though that flits through her brain, because she’s constantly reacting to them. In fact, I’m not sure how truly distracted or inattentive she is, if she can just keep these fleeting thoughts from running amok with her brain.

The hospital doc put LuLu on Clonidine. It is a medication we tried years ago and abandoned because of how incredibly drowsy it made her.... more

Here at the parenting special kids’ blog, we have written several articles on the suggested benefits of a tonsillectomy. Advocates have insisted that our children will sleep better, have straighter teeth, behave better, and have less throat infections. Sounds really simple, doesn’t it. In fact, after putting four of my children through braces, I decided to have some of my crooked teethed children try the tonsillectomy to see if it would make a difference in their teeth, sleep, and ADD. After all, braces here in Michigan are over $5000 a child now. I can’t report on the... more