iSearch
Kendra Brown
Honors English
May 5, 2011
How does it feel to be diagnosed with a disorder?
Part I: What I Know.
When I found out that I was going to be an older sister I was ecstatic. My little brother, William, was welcomed into our family December 5, 1998. From the start my brother was a rascal. We thought it was normal at first, but soon realized he was rougher than usual. The older he got the more intense it became.
At seven years of age my brother was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), ADD, ADHD, Sensory Processing disorder, and Episodic Dyscontrol Syndrome, also known as impulse control. Even though we were given an answer to why he was that way we were lost on what to do next. My mom began educating herself on these disorders, and tried her best to do what she could for my brother. However, it still remained difficult.
I remember the violent tantrums, the unexpected head-butts, or the amount of hair he removed from my head. People would assume my father was abusive due to the aftermath of the head-butts. Once he began school fights were a regular along with trips to the office. Even with all the attention he remained to himself.
Part II: What I want to know.
I chose this topic because my little brother is my world. Every day he influences me to strive to the top, give nothing but my best. I’m tired of him living his life in the shadows scared to be who he really is. I want to understand what he goes through on a day to day basis. How he feels, I want to hear his voice!
There are multiple things that I want to know, but my main focus is to try and understand. I want to know peoples honest take on people with any of those disorders. How are ways to help children with disorders? Do they feel limited? Are they treated equally?
The different perspectives I’d want would be an older women who has a child with disorders. I also want to interview a sibling of a child with a disorder. Most importantly I’d want to get the view from a child with a disorder. I’d want to ask how he felt about medicine, if they need it. Or if they feel any different from those we call “normal”?
Part III: iSearch – Book
I decided to read Dr.Frank Lawlis’ book “The ADD Answer” because my mother informed me that along with being Autistic my brother was diagnosed with ADD. “The ADD Answer,” was published by Plume Books in 2004. I got this book from my mother, who bought it in years prior. This book is going to give me all kinds of information on how to deal with ADD, and certain ways to provide support for the child.
This book has multiple subjects that can help a parent of a child with ADD understand how to find sobriety. He gives you ways to relieve your stress, as well as your child’s. Along with that he gives you ideas on how to handle the school situation, which is a difficult day to day struggle for children with ADD.
One thing I was interesting in knowing was the effects of medicine and children. In Dr.Frank Lawlis book he clearly states, “Medicine should not be regarded as the way to modify behavior to suit a teacher’s need for order in the classroom. Medicine should be used to enhance the child’s abilities, not to simply control his behavior.” (pg. 77) I absolutely agree with this, he definitely has pin pointed something that, I feel, everyone should realize. Too many people go to medicine for the wrong reasons; mainly an escape. Why put your child on medicine when there are other options? Medicine should be your last option.
Part IIII: iSearch – Article
I chose the Article what does Autism look like? By Sheila Webster-Heard. She was published by “Come Unity” on an unknown date. Although it is a somewhat short article, she gets to the point and in a precise way.
She is sure to tell you what Autism is in her article which is important for those that aren’t 100% sure on what it is. Her approach to it is, “Autism (pronounced awe-tizem) is an illness that affects social and communication skills.” I feel like people have different views on the true meaning of Autism, and that you should get the true diagnosis from your doctor.
Part V: iSearch – Interview
For this paper I decided that I definitely needed to interview two people; my mom and my little brother. William, my little brother, is your typical twelve year old boy! He currently attends Buckeye Middle School as a sixth grader. He is addicted to his Xbox, and drumming is his passion. However, when it comes to the topic of him having “problems” he gets brief and defensive. I asked him questions as we sat in my room watching 90210.
Kendra: “Alright, I want to ask you questions about your Autism.”
William: “Okay….”
K: “How do you feel about taking medicine?”
W: “Normal, I guess I really don’t have a say…”
K: “Do you feel like people take the time to understand you?”
W: “Sometimes, not really.”
K: “Do you feel different from everyone else? Explain.”
W: “Sometimes, I need help to focus.”
K: “Who do you trust most in your life?”
W: “My family.”
After doing this interview I kind of wanted to cry. I felt as if he was a robot stating what he felt was the right answer. Almost as if he was trapped to be what they want him to be.
Then I interviewed my mom, Mary, who raised the three of us on her own as a single mom. She is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Buckeye Elementary and spends most of her time there. I interviewed her right after I interviewed William.
Kendra: “Okay, this interview is on how you feel about Williams’ situation.”
Mom: “Alright.”
K: “Do you feel medicines the answer?”
M: “I’m not sure. I’ve tried it, but have concerns about the side effects. We are trying other options. Healthier eating and exercise.”
K: “Do you always hear him out?”
M: “9 times out of 10, yes. Sometimes I get frustrated and don’t for a bit, but then I eventually do. Don’t always agree however.”
K: “What steps are you taking to “help” him?”
M: “I have advocated for him since day one. I always will. I continue to educate myself and maintain a good relation with doctors and educators involved with him, as long with loving him unconditionally.”
K: “How do you feel people view him?”
M: “It’s been my experience that because his diagnosis is “invisible” people tends to forget he has them and assume he is just being a trouble maker and bully.”
This one also opened my eyes. It reassures me that my mom is behind us 100% and tries her best to do what’s best for us in any situation.
Part VI: What I learned.
From writing this paper I have gained so much! I feel like people don’t take the time to get to know the real issue behind any disorder. They just label the child as a trouble maker, disrespectful, ignorant, or different. Just because they’re not visibly different doesn’t mean that they are.
Through doing this iSearch, have gained way more respect for my mother. She took the time to really understand what my brother has and needs in order to be “stable”. Sadly, I feel that people that my brother is around on a daily basis, besides family, don’t truly understand what they are dealing with. There is no mistaking that there’s more than meets the eye, especially when it comes to William.
Another thing that I learned is that when it comes to Autism there is no precise diagnosis. You can be diagnosed with multiple things that don’t even remain under the classification of Autism. A prime example would be my little brother, he was diagnosed with ADD, which falls under Autism, however; everything else that he was diagnosed with - doesn’t even though it affects him just as much.
Bibliography (“Work Cited.”)
Brown, Mary. Personal Interview. May 9, 2011.
Brown, William. Personal Interview. May 9, 2011
Webster-Heard, Sheila. “What Does Autism Look Like?” Come Unity. September 23, 2003
Lawlis Frank Dr. The ADD Answer . A Plume Book. 2003
