GOOD posts here. Thanks for weighing in on this Reeve, even though you don't have these "disorders". It always helps to hear how the other side feels.
I probably won't talk about me so much, because I have a pretty good handle on my issues. I like to talk more about my son.
As I said in the other thread, he is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, severe Anxiety Disorder, OCD, depression, a mood disorder, and chronic insomnia, which is also a symptom of AS and mood disorders. I will say that I'm a bit skeptical about the ADHD diagnosis as well as the depression diagnosis, since many of the symptoms are mirrored in Aspergers and Sensory Processing Disorder. At any rate, he is on meds to help control these disorders, and does very very well.
His symptoms started appearing at around 4 yrs old, but were not really positively apparent to anyone but me until he entered kindergarten. That's when the difficulties really started. In preschool he was fine, no problems there whatsoever. But one you enter school here in Ohio, the typical child to teacher ratio is 27 (or more) to 1.
He was absolutely miserable in that large of a class. He could not concentrate or stay in his seat, or do his little assignments, or anything at all. He wouldgo from one thing to another, pick on other kids, throw tantrums out of frustration, and worse.
Since my daughter (now 23) has ADD, I immediately thought, oh no, ADHD! However, his teacher, guidance counselor and principal all suggested that he be tested for Asperger Syndrome, because of his somewhat clumsy gait, problems with fine motor skills, and of course the ADHD symptoms (also inherent in AS). Sure enough, a day long stay at a local childrens' neurological center confirmed AS, as well as ADHD and mood disorder. BUT before I would consent to any drugs at all, I tried everything I possible could... casseine-free, gluten-free diet, vitamins, no dyes/preservatives/etc, etc etc. Nothing worked. By the time he was halfway through 1st grade we were ALL miserable.
4 psychiatrists, 3 psychologists, and many many meds later, we finally found the help we needed. A wonderful psychiatrist at a local childrens psychiatric center, a fantastic family psychologist at PsyCare, and the correct combo of meds has helped him SO much. It's an ongoing process, and it will never end. Kids don't outgrow AS or ADHD, or any other disorder. But they can learn to live with them, and even use them to their advantage.
My son is bright, funny, and fun. He is intelligent (and has a very high IQ), and smart. He does very well in school, loves math/science/reading, and is a complete electronics geek. He's had his own computer since he was 4 yrs old (daddy did it, not me), and is very proficient on it! He's also into the Wii, DSi, Transformers, and Hot Wheels.
One of the "symptoms" of AS is that children most often talk like "little professors", meaning that their vocabulary is beyond their years. That's my boy. He's 10 (almost 11) and talks like an intelligent 30 yr old.
He's the love of my heart and the biggest joy in my life.