Andy was born a 6 weeks early so his lungs weren't fully developed. He slept a lot during the first few months, then spent the next two years in and out of the hospital with asthma, ear infections or respiratory problems. By 24 months he still wasn't walking so the pediatrician sent us to a pediatric specialist, there is where we had blood work done with the results of a genetic problem. By 5 Andy had grown out of his breathing problems and onto behavior problems. Over a 7 year period, the neurologist we trusted had him on 14 different medications, only making things worse, not better. It got to the point 3 years ago where he would destroy the babysitters house and the classroom, but the day that he was swimming in the babysitters pool and almost drown his sister was the day we took him an hour away to a mental health hospital, begging for them to admit him, to find out why he is doing these things. This wonderful doctor who was very hesitant in admitting him because o!

f his retardation, decided to give me a break, admitted him for a week and ran every medical test possible to rule out theories. The doctor wouldn't release Andy until everyone who worked with him attended a discharge meeting, Teachers, babysitters, case management, etc. He explained to everyone that Andy was merely going through puberty and did not need to be on medications - he suggested a behavior plan be drawn up and for everyone to stay on the same page - he referred me to yet another wonderful psychiatrist who has weaned him off all the medications, very slowly!! Andy was showing signs of dsytonia, which is a permanent nerve and muscle damaging disease caused by medications - to this day, Age 17, he is my handsome, loving and respectful your man who went through a great deal to get where he is now. Still severely retarded, un-potty trained, and still dealing with this large body, he has become a wonderful young man who loves his sister dearly and makes his mother extremely proud. I've spent many years on the internet, researching and have found a lot of children have been affected by doctor's who are not sure what do to with behavioral problems - so they medicate - what the doctor's don't tell you is that a combination of medications can do a lot of harm to our children, harm that cannot be reversed. Andy has taught me to research everything and not to take life for granted.