Monthly Archives: March 2011
Echolalia, Say What?
First off I want to say thank you to my darling June Freaking Cleaver, for giving the work that has been eluding me for over a week! If you haven’t already clicked away for fear of being bored by medical mumbo jumbo then let me explain.
Echolalia: The involuntary parrotlike repetition (echoing) of a word or phrase just spoken by another person. Echolalia is a feature of schizophrenia (especially the catatonic form), Tourette syndrome, and some other disorders (such as autism). From echo + the Greek lalia, a form of speech.
So what does this have to do with us? Over the years, LeBella has always had a catch phrase. It has changed based on her age and interest, but to be honest it never really stood out to me.
For the last few weeks a typical conversation with LeBella goes a something like this:
LeBella: Hey Mom, you know what?
Me: Wha-
LeBella: When I used to go to school, you hear me? I like to go to the music room and sing, you hear me? I like to sing because it makes me happy, you hear me? When I grow up I want to be a singer, you hear me? Will someone sew my singing costumes to wear onstage? You hear me?
This is something she does ALL day, but it increases with her mania. The more manic she is the more “you hear me” is pepper into her speech.I’m not sure if this falls into one of the established categories of echolalia, or if it is unique to her. One of her very own quirks?
Has your child done this? Is it related to the mania of bipolar or is it an aspect of Aspergers? In a dual diagnosed child like LeBella, is it a combination of both?
You can learn more about echolalia here.
You can learn more about bipolar mania in children here.
You can learn more about pressured speech here.
It is another one of the signs that I missed that may have helped us realize she had Aspergers (along with the bipolar and adhd). I can’t help but wonder if we had pin pointed this earlier, could we have developed a better treatment plan? Would she be in a different place today?
Bipolar Tuesday: You hear me? >Linky
Good morning, Ragers! I’m hoping today will mark a turning point as we have another pdoc appointment. Hopefully with another med tweak we can get LeBella back into a good place so we can have a great spring break!
I have a story I want to share with you later today but I still have a bit of research to finish up. In the mean time I have a question for you. You can either answer in the comments, link to an old post of yours, or write a new post today and link up!
Does your child have any type of verbal quirk? A cute phrase they say a lot or a word they use frequently. Is there a story behind it?
What causes these quirks? Are they part of their personality or triggered by meds?
Share your stories and I’ll be back later to share mine!
Top 10 Spring Break Sanity Savers
We have approached this week with excitement and fear. The kids are excited and I am afraid. That’s right, Ragers, it’s Spring Break (woooo) in LeCasa. So, to serve as a list of reminders in celebration of Spring Break (wooooo) here are my Top 10 Sanity Savers:
1. My Fenced in backyard. We got off to a rocky start but the kids have evolved from whines of “it’s hot” and “we’re bored” to utilizing their *gasp* imaginations! They usually lasy 20-30 before someone tries to commit bodily harm to someone else.
2. The slip ‘n’ slide. We live in Florida and it is hot! While the hose used to be good enough my little pre-madonna’s are far to good for that now. They’re just not quite good enough for a real pool. (Remember to keep a bucket of water ready, LeBella hates grass stuck to her ankles).
3. The Dollar movies. See, I purposely withhold cinematic adventures from my children all year so that during Spring Break we can hit up the Dollar movies for those super awesome movies we haven’t seen yet!
4. The Dollar Tree. For candy to smuggled in, yo. I embrace all teachable moments and I’ll be damned if my kids grow up to spend $45 on candy. I may or may not also pop popcorn at home. What? Lot’s of women carry purses that look like beach totes, it’s a trend!
5. My Kitchen Aid Mixer. Ok, I could have just been vague and said my kitchen, but I love my mixer! The kids love to cook so I’m sure we’ll be whipping up lots of treats! I love The Happy Housewife for easy recipes the kids an follow.
6. Netflix. Impromptu movie night? No problem Netfix has us covered! Just pop on the WI, throw in some Dollar Tree Candy or a home made snack and we all set. The bonus is that we only have one TV and it’s in my bedroom so we can all cuddle up in bed!
7. The Wii. I love this thing. You know, for the kids. Ahem. I like to kick their butts at Mario Bros and wipe the floor with at Wii sports. We also put on Just Dance 2 and bring it on to each other to see who can step and get served. Ok, yeah I’m done there.
8. Our local park. We are lucky enough to have a great park within walking distance. (With current gas prices this is important.) There is a playground, basketball hoops, open fields and baseball fields.
9. Creative Imaginations. The kids and I love to make up stories, draw pictures, and invent games. We are all stocked up on paper, crayons, pencils, markers and Magic Erasers.
10. Wine. When all else fails. (Just to clarify for that one person-you know who you are-the wine is for me).
So there you have it. Stay sane. And you’re welcome.
