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Mary Ann, I know what you mean about the guilt associated with parents/mother of a neurologically challenged child. My only grand daughter is high functioning autistic. My daughter used to ask herself what she had done/not done to cause this as one * dx* neuro conditions that Samantha has. It is the most amazing thing though to see her be mainstreamed and to know that it is nothing that any parent did or did not do and especially to come to lose the guilt that my daughter bore thinking so wrongly that the mother is responsible for all the * wrongs* in the child. It was my psychiatrist/neurologist who said without seeing her * I don't care what else she has she is autistic* and he is a god to my daughter no matter what else he is . You know what a family goes through over time especially when it isnt as obvious a condition as those who are not verbal yet the violence is apparent and a daily possibility. Without that Mary Ann, my daughter would not have taken charge of the life they have and now advocate in our state testifying in legislative rooms for access and acceptance of challenged children and adults. Samantha is the first child, now 17, about whom articles have been written and who has a tape produced by U of WA and U Oregon called *I am Samantha*, and who goes to national conferences with my daughter and is well known by professionals in the field where ever she appears. She is an example of acceptance and one who has made a tremendous difference for her parents and for all whom she meets. If anyone has had a reason to be depressed my daughter did, and was, and yet is not cd. This is what I see as a major difference between cd and situationally caused depression. *seattle* Audrey friend of pwp aussie John 49/42/38 and now of Barb Knight :)) pwp