[tri-med] Re: looking for ideas/suggestions

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Waite"
> > PSYCHOTHERAPY-This is it Michelle---we will be looking into this!-
>
> How much do you already know about this? What I know of it could be put in
a
> thimble.

Actually this is similar to what the genetic counsellor told me. She
suggested you tread very softly - because of Alex's age she feels there
could (I stress the could) be dangerous consquences if its not handled
correctly.

The main problems being that he may be angry that you kept it from him, feel
displaced with his hormones and feeling "defective" etc. On the other hand
he may be relieved or not care......... He has to learn what it means for
him, how it affects "his" dreams and plans as opposed to what you think
about his future etc etc
I think these feelings are extensions of the "normal" teenage feelings and
what I think Laurie's doctor was referring to about mood and adjustment
disorder. Teens who have a significant event at this time of their lives are
at higher risk of developing these issues. Kids with disabilities are simply
more at risk because they have to deal with all the teenage stuff as well as
the disability stuff - the disability issues being the significant event.

She suggested that perhaps it was time to see a geneticist (not a genetic
counsellor) and get a referral to a counsellor or therapist for you and Jim
to develop a plan about telling him and to have back up and support over the
next few years while he digests and processes it.

She also stressed that you may want to think about telling the school too
because once Alex knows it becomes "his" information and he can tell who he
likes and thats a part of autonomy issues for this age...... She does think
there are some printed resources and gave me some sources to check out - so
I will let you know what I find.........

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it means you've decided to
see beyond the imperfections.

Keep Looking for Rainbows!!!
Karen, Mum to Alex (6, T-18 mosaic)
Sydney, Australia
http://members.optushome.com.au/karens
http://www.trisomyonline.org

                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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