I think it impossible to sufficiently emphasize that not only is each child different (whether or not considered to be ADHD or autistic) but also each diagnostician differs! And so does each teacher and each school system and each state's educational expectations differ. I see the differences not only because my job involves special education eligibility (Federal, state, and county compliance), and not only because I am familiar with diagnosticians within both school and medical systems, but because my DD was among the first to be officially medically diagnosed as being ADHD. While I would give all due respect to those physicians who feel only medical doctorates are qualified to make a diagnosis, I would be far more impressed with their personal qualifications and experience on the subject, if they have any. In the past twenty years in this job, I have seen literally thousands of MD-signed "diagnoses" which were overwhelmingly obvious in their lack of supportive in-depth knowledge of both patient and disability. I have also seen some truly impressive evaluations which -doctoral opinions to the contrary- were as likely to be written by a clinical psychologist or pediatrical behavioral specialist as by a formal pediatrician or other medical doctor. The problem, of course, is that there is no single cause of the physical/emotional/behavioral spectra which is commonly termed ADD, ADHD, or autism. In each category, the legal definitions themselves are changing, and criteria which is acknowledged by one medical group or state or educational system may not be accepted by another. If one has a pustulent rash, swabs and microscopes and medical histories can determine whether the rash was caused by poison ivy or chicken pox or something else. When one has difficulty learning to focus and/or to behave with social appropriateness and/or to simply sit still -or any of the other several dozen criteria for ADD, ADHD,or autism, one learns that there is no one single defining cause nor is there any one single defining "cure" or amelioration. This fuzziness of both cause and cure can be beyond frustration for parents, teachers, and medical staff involved. Like others, I could talk for hours and days about my personal experiences with DD's ADHD which might or might not be of any help to you. Instead, I'd rather encourage you to do several things, each within your control. First: keep detailed diaries: record meals, drinks, activities and the child's ongoing behavior. NO one can make a diagnosis without supportive information, most especially when general behaviors are concerned. There is more to a child's behavior than is shown while s/he is at the doctor's office. Second (and this is more difficult than diary-type notes), eliminate sugar and foods containing sugar-replacement additives from the diet. The restriction includes sucrose, fructose, aspartame, saccarin, etc. To do this is a PIA, which involves much reading of labels and consistency in refusing to give in to demands and whines. I've been there and done that, and when it comes to compliance: adults are a bigger problem than the kid. (This restriction may or may not affect the behavior, but I guarantee the body will be healthier.) Third: do not accept any single person's diagnosis as being sufficient unto itself. I do recommend having at least one pediatrician [if at all possible one who has studied and reported on ADD/autism] AND a non-affiliated behavioral specialist and/or clinical psychologist make a diagnosis. And if the diagnosis is presented after one visit and consists of saying that little junior is obviously ADD and needs medication, go find another person to make an informed evaluation. The average evaluation takes many hours of one-on-one study by the diagnostician with the patient, and ends up summarized in a 15- to 30-page report. Anything written on just one page is probably an unsupported opinion which may have little to do with your child. Fourth, remember that there is a very large segment of the medical community which believes that no non-medically trained person needs the details or basis of any medical diagnosis. Period. They will be offended and/or appalled that any one else would question their diagnosis or evaluation. IMO, run-don't-walk out that door. There are too many intelligent, informed, and informative medical personnel around to limit yourself to someone who believes you are incapable of understanding basic English. OTOH, you need to show your comprehension of the issues involved. Keep a notebook going with a summary of what you have read [who wrote it/when, by whom, where published]. Be very cautious of medical personnel who discount or shrug off reports from the child's teacher/s -- that is similar to saying that what one person observes over a several hours every day, every week is of no importance. IMO, what a teacher sees over six hours daily has as much importance as what the parent sees over six hours daily --- and in both cases the views may or may not be of value in a diagnosis but neither should they be summarily dismissed. The odds are that either teacher or parent is far more familiar with the child than the doctor is! And last, remember to love the child no matter how exasperating the actions.

Linda, I have never posted at this forum, but someone told us at Kitchen Table about the terror you, Tom and your little darlings went through. I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved pets and for the harm done to you and Tom. It's just so hard to believe that thugs like those who owned the attacking dogs are allowed to walk around freely. You have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard about this and will continue to be. You and your dh must be amazing people to have friends who want to help you like they did. God bless you and yours. Linda

This one was on the table at a book club potluck last week. Everyone raved and wanted the recipe. I'm going to cross post in new recipes. Zucchini Pickles - Heidi Swanson, 100 Cookbooks There are quite a number of ways to play around with the personality of these pickles. Sometimes I shave the zucchini paper-thin, resulting in a whispy tangle of pickled zucchini and onions. Other times I want my pickles to have a bit more bite, structure, and definition. In those instances, I slice the zucchini thicker, perhaps 1/8-inch, and let them drain as long as possible, sometimes overnight refrigerated. Also worth noting, when I make them for our personal condiment stash, I used a brown natural cane sugar. It gives the pickle liquid a brownish cast that, quite frankly, weirds people out if they don't know what is causing it. So, if I'm making the pickles to bring to a BBQ or something, I'll make them with regular organic cane sugar - one that is lighter in color.
 3 medium zucchini (1 pound / 16 oz / 450 g), thinly sliced
 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
 3 shallots, thinly sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons fine grain sea salt 
1/4 cup (small handful) fresh dill sprigs 1 small fresh red chile pepper, very thinly sliced 1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds 3/4 cup / 180 ml cider vinegar
 3/4 cup / 180 ml white wine vinegar
 1/3 cup / 1.75 oz / 50g natural cane sugar 
Toss the zucchini, onion, shallots, and salt together in a colander and place over a bowl to catch the liquids. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least a couple hours. Toss once or twice along the way. You're aiming to get as much liquid out of the zucchini as possible.

When you're finished draining the zucchini, shake off any water. At this point you want the zucchini as dry as possible. Place in a 1 liter / 1 quart jar along with the dill, chile pepper, and mustard seeds. Alternately, you can cram them into a 3/4 liter Weck jar like I do, but it's always a bit snug in the jar. Combine the ciders and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves, and continue to boil for a few minutes. Pour the liquid over the zucchini and seal the jar. Let cool, then refrigerate. The pickles are good for a week or so. 

Makes one large jar. Prep time: 120 min - Cook time: 5 min Here is a link that might be useful: Quick pickled zucchini

Before. Definitely before, given what I think you're asking. Let me verify: you're baking a pie crust, then will put the filling in after baking the shell, right? Probably baking again. If that's the case, do the egg wash on the pie crust before baking. If not, it'll just be watery egg on a baked pie crust.