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I am worried about Steven
Topic Started: Aug 29 2008, 01:23 PM (181 Views)
Cabann
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Yesterday, as with all Thursdays was minimum day at school. The kids get out at 2:05 instead of 3:35. We have the same routine as always. When the kids arrive home, they grab a quick snack and sit down and do their homework. After homework they then practice each instrument for 30 minutes. After that they are free to watch tv or play.


Steven sat down at the kitchen table yesterday at 2:30 and did not finish his homework until 7:00. He couldn't concentrate. He kept writting things backwards, making simple errors, or just getting lost in his own thoughts. Since I had extra kids here yesterday, I couldn't stay on top of him to stay on task. He was getting frustrated and so was I. One of his assignments to was write all his spelling words and include them in complete sentences. It had to be written in cursive (which he struggles with) and in ink only. It took him four tries before he finally completed that paper. He was in tears. He couldn't focus and he kept telling me that it felt like nothing was in his head. When I walked away, I would come back to see him laying his head on the table or staring off into space. I would have to keep checking his work and a lot of numbers and letters were being written backwards. He has never had a problem with that before. He was also complaining that his jaw was hurting and cramping up.

When he finally finshed his homework last night, I sent him into take a shower, then eat. He had no time left to practice his instruments or run outside. Oh and as the kids were eating dinner, Destiny made a comment that concerned me. Apparently during band yesterday morning, Mr. Barnes was asking the kids when their birthdays were and Steven couldn't remember. He recalled the month but couldn't remember the day. Destiny had to remind him.


I called his doctor this morning and have an appt. set up for the 9th. I couldn't make it any sooner since I wont have my moms car until then.

I hope he is ok. He seemed fine this morning and said his jaw just felt a little bit wierd. I don't think it could be a problem with his teeth since he had a check up in July and he was fine, no cavities.
Edited by Cabann, Aug 29 2008, 01:26 PM.
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psimer

Ok, let's think about this. Has he had any head injuries recently? The jaw may be from new instruments to play. If he is not taking any medication, I would suggest that you go to the school and talk to his teachers. See if he is able to pay attention in school. Also is he sleeping at night like he should? Memory problems can come from many places but sleep is a major factor to forgetfulness.

Sit down with him and see if he can remember things that he should know by heart. This may help you evaluate the problem.
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Cabann
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As far as I know he hasn't hit his head, or at least he hasn't complained about it if he did. He has mentioned that his mattress is uncomfortable so maybe he isn't sleeping all that soundly. He was just out of it yesterday. He knew he couldn't focus, he kept saying he was trying but couldn't. He does have a tendency to daydream during school, at the end of last year he was getting better and staying on task. It isn't like he is a struggling student. Just yesterday I received the kids star testing result (state standardized testing..which I don't have a whole lot of faith in). He did pretty well. He is advanced in math and science, and proficient in reading ( he is at the lower scale though). He is reading level is a 6 right where he should be.

As he was doing his homework yesterday he kept asking me how to make certain letters in cursive. Numerous times his numbers would be backwards along with a few question marks. He was in tears trying to get all his work finished. He just couldn't stay focused. He had one report due today that he needed to put finishing touches on and it was a struggle for him to do so. I really didn't think he was ever going to finish last night.

edited to add.......

I didn't even think that the instruments could be causing his jaw to hurt. Maybe switching back and forth from trumpet to clarinet is causing the pain. I know in a couple songs, Mr. Barnes has him playing both instruments.
Edited by Cabann, Aug 29 2008, 04:07 PM.
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Ravenlost
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This really concerns me and I am glad you have an appointment with his doctor. I watched an episode on TV a week or so ago about a teenage boy who had a similar case. I'll rack my brain and see if I can remember what he was diagnosed with...it actually had a very simple treatment (seems like it was a vitamin deficiency or something).

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Cabann
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Thanks Paula. Let me know if you remember anything about it. I asked him how he was today during school and he said fine, he didn't go into a whole lot of detail. I sent off an e-mail to his teacher to see if she has noticed anything. His weekly report that comes home on Fridays was good, no missing assignments and no behavior issues.
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Cabann
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Paula do you think it has anything with lack of protein? Steven would live on veggies if I would let him. He hates meats. I can get him to eat egg whites but not the yolk unless the egg is scrambled. Infact tonight I made scrambled eggs with ham mixed in, and explained why I felt he should eat it. He did finish it but didn't enjoy it ( he got it down by drowning it in syrup...kind of defeats the purpose). Shoot making his school lunch is a hassle. He doesn't like peanut butter, (does like jelly) doesn't like lunch meat but will eat raw veggies with no dip. He will eat cheese except swiss and pepper jack. Fruit is not a problem, he likes oranges, apples, kiwis, banannas, ect.. however with the price of fresh produce (fruit) I have had to limit him. I bought 5 oranges for his lunch at school and the price was $2 a pound. That is crazy.
Edited by Cabann, Aug 29 2008, 10:41 PM.
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Ravenlost
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Cindy, I even dreamed about it last night and I just can't remember. Does he like dried beans? A good source of protein is dried beans with rice.
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Cabann
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No, doesn't like beans but he does like rice. White rice with only I can't believe it's not butter spray on it. He doesn't like sauces, gravy or dressings. The spray butter is the only thing he will use. Must kids are picky when it comes to veggies, not my son...he is picky when it comes to everything else. I do make him try everything on his plate and he does have to eat what is being served but it is a struggle. I did stop giving him certains types of meats because he gags on them. Boneless skinless chicken breast is his favorite along with meatloaf and meat balls (without sauce).Other than that he doesn't get a whole lot of protein.
Edited by Cabann, Aug 30 2008, 05:53 PM.
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Ravenlost
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Rice alone won't give him the protein he needs. His iron levels may be low, or he could be low of B12. Our bodies aren't good at processing B12 which we get mainly from meat products. Lack of B12 can cause fatigue and memory loss.

The chicken breast is a good source of protein. Does he like soy products? Soy has a lot of protein as does dairy products (cheese). Here are some good sources of B12:

½ cup cow’s milk
¾ cup yogurt
1 large egg
1 cup fortified soymilk (such as Silk™, 8th Continent™)
1 oz. fortified breakfast cereal (such as Total™, Nature’s Path Optimum Power™, Kashi, Honey Frosted Oats™, Special K™, Cheerios™)
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Cabann
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Ravenlost
Aug 30 2008, 06:10 PM
Rice alone won't give him the protein he needs. His iron levels may be low, or he could be low of B12. Our bodies aren't good at processing B12 which we get mainly from meat products. Lack of B12 can cause fatigue and memory loss.

The chicken breast is a good source of protein. Does he like soy products? Soy has a lot of protein as does dairy products (cheese). Here are some good sources of B12:

½ cup cow’s milk
¾ cup yogurt
1 large egg
1 cup fortified soymilk (such as Silk™, 8th Continent™)
1 oz. fortified breakfast cereal (such as Total™, Nature’s Path Optimum Power™, Kashi, Honey Frosted Oats™, Special K™, Cheerios™)
It looks like I am going to need to do some research on this. And figure out away to get more protein in his diet. He also likes beef jerky, that might be a good addition to his school lunch.

He drinks milk but I have had to police the kids on their consumption of it. They would go through a gallon a day. With the prices the way they are, I can't afford it.

He loves cheese, american, chedder, jack ect. Grilled chese sandwhiches are a hit for him. And I only serve them wheat bread.

As for eggs he won't eat the yolk except in scramble eggs, and then he puts syrup on it...yuck.


Some cereals he likes, most he doesn't. He can't eat a lot of sweet things. Ever since he had that weird virus, sweets upset his stomach. He can handle a little once a week or so but has learned what too much can do.


I might just try to sneak some soy products into his meals and see if that makes a difference with his concentration.

It looks like I need to revamp my grocery list.

Thanks Paula for the info.
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