Supporter Foster Mum With 5 Yr Old Boy Diagnosed Today

[we r getting there]

Hi,

Our lovely little 5 yr old boy (in care with us) has just been diagnosed with PTSD, reactive attachment disorder and possible Pervasive Development Disorder - whew, long day! We have 5 children in our care (1 biological), all with special needs or stress-related behaviours from trauma. I have been asking community services for help for him for 2 years, until I found a private assessment place and zooooomed through in a couple of weeks!! I hope we can start helping him in the right way now, poor little guy. :( I think it will be a long journey....

 

[Jen93]

Wow. Five kids? I can't even imagine having one! Of course, I'm only eighteen... I'm at the point where I can't think beyond the next four hours, let alone the next ten years. :roflmao: I don't even know what I'm having for dinner tonight! :D

Welcome to the forum! This resource has lots of information for both sufferers and supporters. I suggest you check out both to give you a taste of what you're in for!

The most important thing to remember is to keep calm. If he gets angry, don't take it personally. PTSD sufferers may have a lot of anger- and because this child is only 5, he may not be able to really verbalize why. Give him time to think, and if he gets scared of silly things like being alone, or his room (I know I'm scared of the bathroom, and people sitting on my left side! :oops:) don't minimize it. Until he gets a therapist or a psychologist, you are his greatest support system. If he cries or wakes up in the middle of the night from nightmares, until you know the nature of the trauma, I suggest that you just talk to him calmly and let him know that you are there for him and that he is safe. If he has been a victim of sexual or physical abuse, he may not appreciate being hugged or held when he is that distressed. (If he asks for one though, go right ahead!)

Again, welcome to the forum, and I hope that you find useful information here (believe me, there's enough information here to write a book as big as the dictionary!)

Jen

 

[BigBear]

WRGT,

Your dedication to these little ones (especially ones with special needs) puts you in the top 1% of the best people in the world. Thank You!

I have 4 babies of my own. Admittedly, one of my babies is 15 and 6'2". He's still my baby. My wife has PTSD however and not my children. I can't imagine how you would work to heal a 5 year old with PTSD. If you can think of any way that I can be of any help, let me know!

Bear

 

[Eleanor]

WRGT, Welcome to the forum!:)

There is another mom of a PTSD child here, and some members with some expertise too. So come on down to the supporter section! And a lot of grown-ups who had/got PTSD as children :(.

Bless you and your Husband for caring for such damaged children. I'm with Bear on putting you in the top 1%. It is indeed a long, hard and exhausting road - and you aren't on it by yourselves.

Wishing you and your family peace and healing.

 

[Pale Warrior]

Hello and welcome to the forum :).

Just to let you know you are not alone. I have PTSD from childhood abuse and have many years of experience working with children in emotional distress and having learnng difficulties, including those on the list you give above. I support my husband who has PTSD too.

Come join us in the supporters section,

PW

 

[PTSDMama]

Hey there! This is a great place to be, so glad you made it!

We have a 6 year old son who was diagnosed with PTSD in the last 6 months due to trauma from his birth family. Although he was in care with us since age 2, they got to continue to cause trauma to him during visits, etc. You know how the system goes.

I applaud you for wanting to help these little ones! It's so hard and I feel like that with one, let alone 5! Yes, yes, please do join us in supporters. The people here have been fantastic and so supportive!

Thanks for posting.

 

[a3a2]

Prayers for you and your little one. Let the healing begin!

 

[we r getting there]

Oh wow, thankyou!! Your support is overwhelming. We have been at hospital this month with him as he wanted to suicide, and then I got a message from the website that I should log on - meant to be! Thankyou all, I don't feel alone now!

 

[we r getting there]

And thankyou for the advice, Jen93, it is very true and helpful, especially touching him