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Date Posted: 10:02:33 07/31/03 Thu
Author: Fred Deaton
Subject: Re: Deaf and PDD
In reply to: Heide 's message, "Deaf and PDD" on 20:00:16 03/27/03 Thu

Tough situation. I gather you are the primary family caregiver.

Actually studies show Deaf individuals are pretty close to the standard norm in Axis I. They experience Axis I mental health disorders at virtually the same rate as the general population. But for Axis II disorders (this includes Mental Retardation) and childhood behavior problems, the prevalence rates in the deaf population are significantly higher than for the population as a whole. This information was taken from "Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Persons Who Are Deaf", May 2002; A. Barry Critchfield, Ph.D.; National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning, Alexandra Virginia; http://www.nasmhpd.org/ntac/reports/Deaf.pdf.)..

My suggestion is to look at mental health facilities that address children needs and then look for some practionier at the facility that will work to the next step with a deaf child. Some states, and alabama comes to mind, have their special services and deaf school located in one central place (Taledega, AL). Another suggestion, why not contact some of the Deaf schools around the country and see if there is a known health care program to assist a child with severe emotional problems that is deaf.





>Where do I begin?
>
>I am the proud Auntie to a boy in a residential
>treatment facility. He is both Deaf and emotionally
>disabled. He has been diagnosed with the whole book of
>mental health disorders..LoL They have said he has
>every disorder there is, medicated him for it, then
>continuously changed their minds.
>
>He has been on meds that have certainly left him with
>permanent side effects...We know this because he
>started ticking once he was unmedicated and he has
>maintained certain traits of medication related side
>effects.
>
> What they truely know for sure is that he is deaf and
>developmentally delayed. That he needs some kind of
>meds to keep his rage and anger under control (he has
>been known to throw non-stop 3 1/2 hour tantrums that
>left 2 teaching aides hospitalized. All this before
>the age of 10) They know that he is 10 in body but 5
>in mind. It takes him 2-3 times longer to acheive ANY
>understanding of ANY new concept, be it a new word on
>down to a new soap...
>
>I think you get the point...Here's where I'm at my
>wits end. He is in the most beautiful, loving,
>helpful, and needed facility. However they aren't
>going to keep him forever and they still don't know
>any more about his situation. They are simply better
>equipped to handle and deal with it. Which in some
>ways is making all of the difference.
>
>Is there someone out there who knows where to look for
>help with Deafness AND PDD? I've tried some of the
>links on the internet, but they are woefully
>inadaquate or outdated...Anyone know where to look or
>turn??
>
>Heide

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Replies:

  • Re: Deaf and PDD -- Heide, 03:59:37 08/04/03 Mon
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