[MeLisa]

We adopted 2 girls and have a biological daughter as well. My youngest is 20months we have had her since she was released from the nicu at 1month. She weighted 3lb2oz, born 8to 10 weeks early depending on who u ask. She was also born with Meth and cocaine in her system. She stopped breething shortly after birth i'm not sure length of time or anything specific on all of it. I do know they had her on pain killers and caffine. Or atleast thats what here medical records show. She has always been alot smaller than the other kids and is not talking at all really she says mama but if you ask here weres mama she acts like you didnt say anything. She doesn't respond to anything really except if I tell her NO when she touches something she cant have or when you chase her she loves to be chased around the house. She just started walking 2 months ago and still won't even try to eat out of a spoon by herself. She gets extremly mad and will ram her head into the door or wall throw herself down on the floor and act as if it doesn't hurt her at all.There are alot of things that just don't seem right but I can't seem to put my finger on it. An ideas her doctor just says to watch her and wait but I'm not sure what im watching or waiting for. I just feel like we need to know why she is acting this way so we can better understand her and what she needs the unknown is driving me insane. an advice would be great. Sorry so long of a post

[cherrymom]

Is she receiving Early Intervention (we call it Infant Developement) where she is being assessed by Occupational Therapists, etc? Because if not I'd be stamping my feet and insisting that it happen. She's at an age now where intervention needs to happen now to prevent/lessen further delays. Sorry but I hate the "wait and see" mentality. That's fine when there is no reason to believe that there could be a problem (maybe). But you know that there was prenatal drug use. She needs help now. I have 5 children (three bio and the two youngest are adopted) . Both my littles where drug exposed. The older one was in an amazing foster home where he received all and every intervention. He is now 6 and doing very well. Our youngest is now three and and didn't have the same proactive intervention (until we brought her home) She has major health and sensory issues that we are dealing with... Good luck and please get help.

[Barksum]

Ditto what Cherrymom said.

Also look up info on Dysfunction of Sensory Integration on the web. There are a couple of books out there on this as well.

Look up fetal alcohol effects. Not saying your Dd has FAE, just that this particular info is helpful in working with children who are prenatally exposed to various drugs. Additionally MANY children of drug addicts are also exposed to alcohol.

The earlier you start getting some ideas about what you are dealing with the better. Kids have a better chance of working through their differences and succeeding in functioning better when they receive that early support they need. Chances are you will be the lone voice calling for anything regarding your Dd's issues, so get used to being a Stand Up Mom.

[MeLisa]

I did have her in a early intervention program but all they did is had her in physical therapy untill she started walking. Any time I had a concern they told me to bring it to her doctors attention. They only came once a month if that they were only there for 30 mins. They realeased her from the program last month. Now I'm trying to go other avenues to get something done. I contacted her doctor last week he is out of town but is coming back tomorrow. I am going to ask him for a referal to a specialist but not sure what kind of specialist to send her to. Thanks for the help.

[teachbear]

Ask for a refferal to a developmental peditrician as they are trained to look for developmental problems. You can also look into private therapy where you or your insurance carrier pays for the therapy.
You may want to ask the develpmental peditrician if a neropsychologiacal (sp?) would be helpfull.
Knowing that your child was drug expossed, premature and stoped breathing should all be red flags for intervention.
You might want to try a different regular peditrician that has experience with drug exposed children.
Good luck, barksum is right you will have to become a stand up mom. Let us know how things go this week.

[MeLisa]

Just wanted to let you guys know I talked to her ped. He has set up an appointment for her to see another doc on Friday. He is sending her to him for an evaluation. If this doc thinks she needs to be seen by a nurologist or someone else then that guy can write a referral and my insurance will pay for it. She is on State insurance thru the adoption so we have to be careful.

[lauriejean.1]

Just wanted to let you know about the NICU experience, since I am a NICU nurse. The "pain killers" you referred to were probably given to wean her off the drugs in her system. They probably gave her morphine, but it could have been something else, since we don't give morphine for Meth or Cocaine withdrawal you may want to do some further investigating on why she was recieving this. Perhaps she was also born addicted to heroin or......? This could be valuable information, you should really read her file.
About the caffiene, this is routinely given in all NICUs for apnea (lack of breathing) of prematurity. Because the respiratory center of the brain is premature, sometimes the baby will just stop breathing for periods of time, the caffeine helped her "remember" to breathe. It has no lasting effects and is relatively harmless. Just like your latte.
Hope this is helpful.

[westernmom]

She sounds alot like my 20 month old fs who was also born with high cocaine levels.

"G" has sensory integration dysfunction. At an early age he would refuse baby food because of the texture (anything that wasn't watery). He also had an oral/motor delay. His tongue wouldn't move food around in his mouth.

"G" also head bangs on hard objects oblivious to that fact that it should hurt. He's a sensory seeker, so he's doing it to get stimulation. He also does this high pitched shrill scream.

"G" got OT for about 8 months and we still continue to consult with the therapist. It has made a world of difference. I don't believe you should wait. Trust your gut.

Write down everything that seems odd. Does anything set her off? Noise, change in routine, too many people, etc.

While it may not be a sensory issue, at least you'll have a list to take to the pediatrician.

Best of luck.

[Laina76]

Please write everything down! I think everybody else has given you what anybody could say. Hang in there! If you feel uncomfortable about the dr get a second opinion until you get some answers and they start doing something.

[nekka]

Originally Posted by MeLisa

I did have her in a early intervention program but all they did is had her in physical therapy untill she started walking. Any time I had a concern they told me to bring it to her doctors attention. They only came once a month if that they were only there for 30 mins. They realeased her from the program last month. Now I'm trying to go other avenues to get something done. I contacted her doctor last week he is out of town but is coming back tomorrow. I am going to ask him for a referal to a specialist but not sure what kind of specialist to send her to. Thanks for the help.

Hi Melisa,
I adopted my son when he was 16mo. He was born addicted to crack. One of the specialist we have found to help us the most are Develpmental Pediatrician, and Behavioral Specialist. Most of them are really good with kids like ours. I wish you the best of luck! It's a long hard road we travel, but I know some day it will be worth it.:

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by MeLisa

We adopted 2 girls and have a biological daughter as well. My youngest is 20months we have had her since she was released from the nicu at 1month. She weighted 3lb2oz, born 8to 10 weeks early depending on who u ask. She was also born with Meth and cocaine in her system. She stopped breething shortly after birth i'm not sure length of time or anything specific on all of it. I do know they had her on pain killers and caffine. Or atleast thats what here medical records show. She has always been alot smaller than the other kids and is not talking at all really she says mama but if you ask here weres mama she acts like you didnt say anything. She doesn't respond to anything really except if I tell her NO when she touches something she cant have or when you chase her she loves to be chased around the house. She just started walking 2 months ago and still won't even try to eat out of a spoon by herself. She gets extremly mad and will ram her head into the door or wall throw herself down on the floor and act as if it doesn't hurt her at all.There are alot of things that just don't seem right but I can't seem to put my finger on it. An ideas her doctor just says to watch her and wait but I'm not sure what im watching or waiting for. I just feel like we need to know why she is acting this way so we can better understand her and what she needs the unknown is driving me insane. an advice would be great. Sorry so long of a post

I would definitely make sure she is seen by a developmental pediatrician (preferably someone who specializes in prenatal exposure and/or prematurity) and followed by an early intervention program (contact your health unit). I honestly would NOT wait any longer to see someone and have her evaluated. Some of her behaviors might be explainable based on prematurity (oh and have her hearing checked...) but I wouldn't wait.

ETA: just read rest of thread... sounds like you're already doing what I suggested. I hope you get some answers.

[AudreyE]

Ditto everyone else. Don't wait. Trust your instincts. Change pediatricians if you don't get satisfaction.... you are the mother and you have the power to help your child.

Audrey