Sounds like we need to start a club- Bipolar Autism Moms!!! (give me some time, I can come up with a better name;)

I hadn't read or heard about the connection with autism and bipolar until a couple weeks ago....Our new ped. said it in passing and I was like, "WHAT? WAIT?" Personally, I think it's BS. Just like everything with mental health. It's all 'assumptions' no one can really PROVE anything. Maybe there is a connection, maybe not.

I'm just so happy I'm not the only one out there. It can be a dark, dark life. With each other, we can help one another see the light. I'm adding you to my team!

God Bless, and I'm here for you!
Xx
Jes

I'm not bipolar, but I have regular depressive phases, some are worse than others. I personally am of the thinking that austim is not as isolated a spectrum as many professionals would have it be. I think mood disorders, autism, adhd, ocd, anxiety disorders, giftedness, sensory processing, and likely many others are all somewhat related and have genetic links. But just like two people with brown hair can produce a red head or a blonde, each individual's genetic code has subtle variances, some of which have a stronger pull or influence than others, but it's different for everybody.

@A MyAutismTeam Member, the behaviors you described are all behaviors that to a larger or lesser degree can be manifested by those on the spectrum. These may not be impairing her right now, and that is great, but as she grows and the demands on her abilities get more intense, she may begin to show signs of more difficulty. If you suspect that she could benefit from certain types of therapy, by all means seek these out, including a diagnosis, if it coild help her in the future.

There are doctors out there who would not diagnose my children as being on the spectrum. But I am so grateful to our doctor who did, because she knows how helpful early intervention canbe to helping tthese kids have success in the future. The earlier my kids learn the unspoken social rules, and how to show their empathy better, and how to be ok, and flexible, the easier they will have it as children, teens and adults. And how much better equiped I am becoming as their parent, guide and advocate.

Diagnosis can be a valuable tool, especially when used to better our kids chances of letting themselves shine!

Mentioned Users

A MyAutis...

I am the same. I have no support here, and we just moved. Me and my husband are both prior military and have moved a lot. I am used to it but right now I really wish we had some family/friends around to support us. I wake up and go to bed looking at only my children and sometimes my husband if I am lucky enough for him to get off at a decent time. I am 13 weeks pregnant and it is not helping. We are struggling financially since my husband left the military and have only one car that my husband uses for work all day and me and the kids are stuck here. I feel like everything is against me right now and is definatly putting me in a depression. I then feel bad because I don't know how to help myself and my children when I can barely function myself. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't even get out of bed. Since dealing with my youngest autism I feel completely overwhelmed to say the least, all I do is worry. I used to be the complete opposite so this is hard for me to deal with. I used to have manic episodes mostly.

I suffer from bipolar as well. My daughter is pdd. She's six. I also have a son who's four. He shows some signs, can't sit still, stimming, some speech problems and lining up toys. That's how he plays. I have found the bipolar thing to be true with other people I know who have kids with autism. I'm not sure about everybody though. I think it can be true though. I can't answer this for sure or for others but I can definitely relate to you.

Please don't feel as if you are just a "worry wort!" We have an obligation to our children and worrying is part of that obligation since nobody knows them or cares for them like a mother/parent does. If you are concerned then ask questions. I have found with my son that things he was doing I thought were just "normal" kid stuff were actually signs of his autism and because I paid attention and asked questions we had good info to use and it has helped get him the services and support that are right for him. I suffer from depression and ADHD which has made it difficult to be the mom I think I "should" be but in the end all we can do is love our children and be the best we are able to be! You are already doing that! You are asking questions, paying attention and, obviously loving them! Celebrate your successes (getting out of bed each day is one of mine) and learn the best you can from any mistakes. You and your kids will be great no matter what your "diagnosed or not diagnosed" with! Remember you are a "BadA55" because you are a Mom!! RIGHT!?! Hang in there! ;-)