[karla-k]

Our DD is 9. She was born at 30 weeks after my water broke at 23 weeks. 5 week stay in the NICU. She has global developmental delays: speech, fine motor, gross motor, very high functioning mental retardation, ADHD, OCD

So many times we see behavior that really can't be explained by any of these other issues. Lack of appropriate affection for mom, overly friendly with strangers or other people, lack of remorse for wrong doing, choosing to disobey over and over and over again, resistant to discipline, mean and bossy to brothers (hitting them etc.) and the list could go on. Everyone thinks she is so charming and cute, but the child we know is not always so charming and cute, but uncooperative and hard to deal with.

Where would I go for help with this? What are the consequences for having this diagnosis attached to her?

[kretzklan]

It does sound like it could be AD. If you think so and this is a problem you want to work on (I know you must have a lot on your plate) you should look for an attachment therapist. There are many good websites that can lead you to one in your area. You'll want to speak with them about treating your DD since she deals with other issues as well. I don't know much about ODD - but I do think a lot of the symptoms can overlap. My kids have the dx for AD - but nothing has really "happened" because of it - except that I have a name for what has been happening in our lives!