November 30, 2012 Finally have a ton of clarity about Derek. Therapy and an intensive school meeting this past week really gave me some hope about his academic and social future. It is pretty grim right now. We all are focusing on the fact that Derek chooses his behavior based on emotional disturbances. That term is what was focused on and school staff and us agreed that after their evals and observations, placing him in the ED category gave the school and us the right to advance to more specified help within his school. He is so smart, but so out of touch with how he chooses to behave each day. The very hard part is, there is no way to tell how his day will go. It just unfolds each minute as Derek chooses. He knows how to act, but he "can't" at times. The school psychologist doesn't think Derek has Aspergers. Derek being ADHD isn't the main problem, but it is pretty much the severe neglect he experienced that paved the road he and us have been on. A lot should have happened during those first 3 years of life for him. Connections in the brain, social learning, emotional building blocks and emotional regulation are just a few main areas that needed stimulating and nurtured. He got robbed and it sucks. He will be getting more help each week with reading, math, spelling and social behaviors. This gave me hope. Therapy at OHSU is giving us hope. He also started his "speech" therapy this week. It was good to see him interact with the therapist. He will be working on social reciprosity and other things with her. I was very sad to read in the school eval that he has no friends. It about made me sick to my stomach. We kinda figured that, but to read it and to read more about how his day goes was pretty depressing. The flip side to that is, Derek is happy each day and has no idea he is not living his life as a "normal" child through his play or schoolwork time. He hates the idea of "work" in school. His perception is really messed up..and he is only in second grade..ug. So upward and onward with the task to help him enjoy school and make friends and hope we are on a path that guides him to join the reality that surrounds him.