This is my first time here. A friend told me to come here to see what was up with the corona virus. I was trying to quote Sungaze_At_Dawn and reply to her post and see I screwed up. I just repeated her post and my reply did not post. I did read how to reply guess I did something wrong.

Sungaze_At_Dawn,

I know this is about the virus and I will comment but first I want to say my heart goes out to you. I wanted to respond to your post and share my story with you. I hope this shows up. I have three sons two of which had/ still have brain processing disorders.

My oldest son who is now 29 yrs old is not autistic but he does he have sensory integration motor skill issues, ADD and depression. He had ear infections starting at one month old almost every month until they finally put tubes in his ears when he was 3. They wouldn't put them in earlier because the ear canal mind grow. I am an RN but it didn't take medical training to know there was a problem. I changed pedi's. I put him in developmental gymnastics to help with his balance issues. I lived in a upscale suburb of Dallas and his new pedi did a rotation at Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas. It is free to get testing done for developmental delays. His pedi understood and we had him tested. It is an awesome facility. His fine and gross motor skills were delayed by 98%. He was in occupational therapy for three years. We did exercises every night after I got home from work.

It is tough to be different as a kid. I think living in an affluent area makes it even harder. He was made fun of and bullied starting in preschool and according to my son who told me this years later the teachers were worse that the kids. He wanted to play rec soccer. We ended up with the most high strung coach who was all about winning. My son is not good at sports obviously and this coach would only play him for 5 minutes a game. He called my son a "little girl" and other names. The boys on the team heard the coach treat my son this way so they thought they could call him names too. He never told me any of this until later. I heard the coach yell at my son but not call him names. He yelled at all the kids and the parents were ok with that. I asked my ex over and over to talk to this man but he wouldn't. I tried to get my son to quit and he refused. I think this is because my ex-husband told him once you start something you have to finish it. He knew this was going on. What BS. I should have stepped in.... But I eventually learned. I want to say how much I respect you for standing up to the doctors.

My second son also had severe ear infections. He got tubes at 1 1/2. He had the same motor skill issues, ADHD, plus dyslexia. I did a test for dyslexia at 4 and knew it was likely he was dyslexic. His dad is dyslexic and my dad and brother are as well. I had him tested at the same hospital for both ADHD and Dyslexia when he turned six and in kinder. They told me 90% he will have dsylexia and ADHD with dysgraphia and motor delays. In kinder he was put in speech and special ed. I asked in first grade if they would put him in a multi sensory reading program. They refused even with the test results. We had to pay for private tutoring. Even with this he failed first grade. Yep they wouldn't listen.

I decided I had had enough. I decided things had to change the way and age they test kids for learning difficulties. It was normal procedure to wait till third grade to treat in the schools. I went home called the school board administrative office and got permission to put flyers in all elementary kids back packs. I went home and printed out 1000 flyers saying I was starting a support group for parents that have kids with learning disabilities. I got a room at the public library and picked a date. Put my phone number on the flyer.
The first meeting I had over 80 parents. I asked for donations for the room and printing information. It was standing room only. We had monthly meetings. I ran this group by myself for three years. I only lectured a couple times. I had speakers who would lecture at every meeting. All I had to do was call and tell them what my group was about. They all said yes. How beautiful is that? Every thing was voluntary. The professionals were so gracious. I changed over to work weekends so I could be available during the week for the five or six daily calls I would get and return. I spent at least two hours a day on the phone helping moms and dads. I wrote to the Texas Legislature, I wrote to the school board director about my group and what I thought needed to change. I wrote to everyone I could to get them to test these kids in the first grade. The next school year my son was in MTA and testing kids started in first grade. That was 23 years ago. I worked full time as a nurse in a hospital. It took a lot of my free time and energy to do this. But of all the things I have done in my life starting that group was the most rewarding. It helped me learn to stand up for myself, my kids and my community. I even gave lectures to the principles and teachers.

Today my two sons have done so much. My oldest went to Australia for a month when he was 15. He went to college for a year in Austria. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from a small Catholic University. He speaks four languages. He found out that is what he loves. My second son just graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Mgmt. He loves his job in Phoenix. I am still in touch with several Mom's who have Autistic son's and all except one live on their own or with a room mate.

I tell you my story not to pat myself on the back. But because I can hear and feel your frustration. I know how difficult it is. But there is hope. I want you to know this. Find the fire in your heart and do whatever you can to help your son. It sounds like you are already doing this.

Honestly I was not paying much attention to this virus until yesterday. I live in a rural area of Southern Az in a 55+ community. I live with and take care of my 85 yr old father who has dementia. I had no idea it was so serious. I pray you and everyone else stays healthy and safe. Sorry this is so long.