Today's Snowflake: Cody

The Snowflake Project

Child's First Name CODY

Child's Age 9

Diagnosis Autism, ADHD, ODD, Anxiety Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder

Age of Diagnosis Autism – 3 years old, Sensory Processing Disorder – 4 years old, Anxiety Disorder – 5 years old, ADHD – 6 years old, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder – 7.5 years old

Family Description Momma Bear, Papa Bear, Big Brother Bear (16.5 years old)......and mini dachshund Snicker, baby kitten KitKat, Turtles Onion and Olive, and Nemo 1 & Nemo 2 goldfish

Age Symptoms First Appeared/Noticed Doctor saw signs early as 6 months. At 18 months, he stopped saying new words. Stopped looking at people at age 2. Easily frustrated at ages 2 – present. Noises bothered him since early baby days. Stopped being able to wear “normal” clothes at age 5. Brain started “talking” to him at age 5 ½. Couldn’t eat “normal” food until at least 3 years old (no meat until 6 years old). Would gag on almost everything.

Symptoms of Autism Social awkwardness, don’t like to look into other’s eyes, easily frustrated, lined toys up since a very early age, rocks back and forth when upset or frustrated, memorizes and repeats commercials and/or movie trailers, lack of appropriate humor, lack of ability to “make and keep” friends, bounces up and down when nervous or excited, screams when can’t find the words to say, runs away when feelings become overwhelming, can’t talk about his feelings, plays with fingers and claps hands as stimming, change in routine is TERRIBLE!, needs precise rules and be reminded of the rules frequently, etc.

Child's Grade Level in School 4th grade at Special Education Boces School

Types of Services Child Receives Cody goes to a special education school where he is striving. He receives Occupational Therapy 2X/week, Speech 2X/week, Counseling 2X/week, cognitive behavioral therapy weekly, social skills group

What Treatments Have Been Most Beneficial for Your Child Cody is on medicine. I am not a “medicine cures all” kind of person. I don’t want a medicine to “take away” all my child’s “issues”, as I feel that he needs to learn to “deal” with the world as best as he can. But on the opposite note, I have no problem giving him a low dose of a medicine that can help him control his anger and aggressions. and that can help him control his impulses and be able to sit and relax when he wants to sit and relax. We have finally found the right mix of medicines to allow my Cody to flourish. And the weekly appointments for his cognitive behavioral therapy have done wonders with helping him overcome his phobias and fears of the unknown. My Cody is back!! I sure did miss him!

Co-morbid Conditions ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder

Please check out Cody's video by clicking this link!

What would you like the world to know about your child?

My Cody is my world. His smile can light up any room. With a little patience and understanding, he can be one of the most sweetest and loveable kids you’ll ever meet. He has a heart of gold and wants so hard to be liked by everyone. He doesn’t always make the “right” choices, but he’s just learning to take the consequences for those choices he makes in life. LOL. He loves to draw (and he is an awesome artist), read (he’s been reading chapter books since he’s been 5 years old), and play with his Nintendo DS. He is totally obsessed with POKEMON and can talk about them all day long if you listened. Of course, he doesn’t understand when someone doesn’t want to “listen” anymore about his Pokemon stories, so he keeps on going and going and going. He is a good boy. He is on a few medicines right now that have made an incredible change in his behavior. He is starting to talk more about other stuff than just that of what interests him. He is more “calm” and is such a better friend. He is working so hard on not running when he’s upset, but rather to use his words instead. He is such a quick learner. He loves school and loves to be loved and wanted. HE IS LOVED AND WANTED MORE THAN HE COULD EVER KNOW!!!