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This forum was established as an online support group for anyone living with a neonatal drug exposed baby or child. As you already know, if you are in this special group, your job is tough! It is especially tough if you have adopted or taken custody of a child who was neonatally substance exposed. As the parent or guardian, you are facing a daunting task of caring for a child who has been damaged through no fault of their own. I understand, as I am also caring for a "drug baby".
My story begins with a lovely daughter who graduated high school in only 3 years....an intelligent and beautiful girl. Without studying, she passed the ASVAB (military entrance exam) with a score of 99%. She joined the U.S. Air Force but was injured very early on and prescribed opiates for her injury. She was eventually given a medical discharge. After exhausting our family doctor, she turned to elicit opiate use. She met someone in rehab and became pregnant with my first grandchild. He was exposed to a multitude of elicit drugs in utero. She confided in her obstetrician that she was using drugs and CPS stepped in to remove my grandson from her custody. I became a licensed foster care home provider and eventually adopted my grandson after his parents' rights were severed. Without a doubt, the toughest thing I have ever attempted to do. The most rewarding thing I have ever done most days. But many days, I wonder if I am doing this right.
This is the basis of this forum. We need to be able to openly discuss the experiences we have with the children in our care. I am one of the admins for this site in order to bring a very real approach to the topic. Most of the time, little support is available. Mental and developmental health specialist offer us a wealth of information about our children. I know I hang on every word from the pediatrician, the developmental specialist, the psychiatrist. Then I get in my car, drive home, and my grandson has been suspended from school for the second time this week. I wonder why that MET meeting last month hasn't helped. His teacher, special ed teacher, school counselor, ABA therapist, the school principal, and myself were all there. But then I realize...they are not HERE. They don't fully grasp his difficulties. I don't - and I AM here with him every day.
A caregiver can feel very alone in this experience. This forum hopes to dispel that feeling for its members. I do rely on professionals, but I also learn every day from others in my shoes. This forum aims to assist individuals in linking up with others to share experiences, techniques, information, etc. Sometimes, just having a place to vent frustrations can be beneficial. This forum is peer-led with peer-to-peer conversation meant to offer support and compassion to those individuals and families that have willingly accepted the difficult job of living with and loving children who were harmed by others.
If you have any question or comment, please join us in this journey.
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
My question for next time is: What diagnosis has your child received? My grandson has been diagnosed with High-functioning Autism. His developmental specialist says it could be linked to the drug exposure. She also says not to dwell on the cause, but to use the diagnosis as a stepping block to managing his care. I am currently learning as much as I can about Autism.
Thanks for your time and have a happy day!
Rae
This forum was established as an online support group for anyone living with a neonatal drug exposed baby or child. As you already know, if you are in this special group, your job is tough! It is especially tough if you have adopted or taken custody of a child who was neonatally substance exposed. As the parent or guardian, you are facing a daunting task of caring for a child who has been damaged through no fault of their own. I understand, as I am also caring for a "drug baby".
My story begins with a lovely daughter who graduated high school in only 3 years....an intelligent and beautiful girl. Without studying, she passed the ASVAB (military entrance exam) with a score of 99%. She joined the U.S. Air Force but was injured very early on and prescribed opiates for her injury. She was eventually given a medical discharge. After exhausting our family doctor, she turned to elicit opiate use. She met someone in rehab and became pregnant with my first grandchild. He was exposed to a multitude of elicit drugs in utero. She confided in her obstetrician that she was using drugs and CPS stepped in to remove my grandson from her custody. I became a licensed foster care home provider and eventually adopted my grandson after his parents' rights were severed. Without a doubt, the toughest thing I have ever attempted to do. The most rewarding thing I have ever done most days. But many days, I wonder if I am doing this right.
This is the basis of this forum. We need to be able to openly discuss the experiences we have with the children in our care. I am one of the admins for this site in order to bring a very real approach to the topic. Most of the time, little support is available. Mental and developmental health specialist offer us a wealth of information about our children. I know I hang on every word from the pediatrician, the developmental specialist, the psychiatrist. Then I get in my car, drive home, and my grandson has been suspended from school for the second time this week. I wonder why that MET meeting last month hasn't helped. His teacher, special ed teacher, school counselor, ABA therapist, the school principal, and myself were all there. But then I realize...they are not HERE. They don't fully grasp his difficulties. I don't - and I AM here with him every day.
A caregiver can feel very alone in this experience. This forum hopes to dispel that feeling for its members. I do rely on professionals, but I also learn every day from others in my shoes. This forum aims to assist individuals in linking up with others to share experiences, techniques, information, etc. Sometimes, just having a place to vent frustrations can be beneficial. This forum is peer-led with peer-to-peer conversation meant to offer support and compassion to those individuals and families that have willingly accepted the difficult job of living with and loving children who were harmed by others.
If you have any question or comment, please join us in this journey.
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
My question for next time is: What diagnosis has your child received? My grandson has been diagnosed with High-functioning Autism. His developmental specialist says it could be linked to the drug exposure. She also says not to dwell on the cause, but to use the diagnosis as a stepping block to managing his care. I am currently learning as much as I can about Autism.
Thanks for your time and have a happy day!
Rae
