[marykath]

Have any of you had an MRI done - or any other neurological tests - on your drug-exposed child?
I just started attending a support group for parents of adopted children in our area. A couple of participants, who also have drug-exposed children, were suprised that no one has ever recommended an MRI for our 3 1/2-year-old, who we believe was exposed to methamphetamine and cocaine in utero.
Our peditrician has never mentioned it; and we have never been to a neurologist because we don't believe we have major issues (anwyay, not yet). However, we have had early intervention services (she is now on-track developmentally) we have been seeing a family therapist for help and support...she is a lovely child, but she can be a challenge!
So, I am now panicked that we are not doing everything we can for her...would seeking out neurological care be important at this stage?
Please let me know what your experience has been. Thanks.

[bulrusmama]

I tried to get an MRI for my son because he was alcohol exposed and I couldn't get anyone to do it. I was having a lot of behavioural problems, but he didn't have the facial features of FAS. We moved to another state when he was almost 5 and a genetesist(sp?) diagnosed him with FAE.
bulrusmama

[kizibits]

My daughter has vision problems (pale optic nerves, a lazy eye, and ptosis.) The pediatric opthalmologist ordered an MRI to see if there was an organic cause for some of her eye problems. Turns out there was--she apparently suffered strokes during labor and delivery (because of the alcohol and cigarette exposure) which caused necrotic damage to the parietal and occipital lobes of the brain.

Having the MRI done has given us two things. The first was a confirmed diagnosis of irrepairable brain damage and an explanation of why she has sensory processing issues, neurodevelopmental delays, and vision problems. The second thing it gave us was an organic cause for her problems (the strokes) which carries a bit more weight than an FAS diagnosis with the EI service providers we are dealing with.

Oh--it did get us one other thing--a referral to a geneticist. I had been begging for that for months, but everyone said it was unnecessary. The neurologist thought differently and gave us the referral which has finally allowed us to get a definitive diagnosis of FAS.

Jeana