I'm hoping to find other moms out there that have had a child placed on the Autistic Spectrum Category? My child recently was placed on this, and as I know every child is different and every circumstance is different, I was hoping there would be someone out there that's been through this. It's been a very difficult road to travel to date and unfortunately it's one we've just started down. This is something new I've never heared of. Obviously, I've heared of Autism, however, they couldn't classify him as having childhood Autism. They did say he has Autistic Tendencies which places him in this category.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for your comments. When I first wrote this request I was having a difficult time accepting all of this, I was angry, upset, and unsure of everything. I didn't know where to start the research. Every time I'd google Autistic Specturm Disorder, PDD, Aspergers, and Autism popped up. I was so confused. I didn't know where to start. Back in December I went to CDS to get my son an evaluation because he had little speech. There they told me there was more then speech. Once I got the evaluation they suggested we have a DT come into our home 1x a week for an hour, and for us to go see a psychologist because they thought he may have some sensory integration issues. I was so confused to why they would have a DT instead of a ST, and why my 2 year old needed to see a psychologist. I took the evaluation to his pedi's office, and together we made a decision on what to do next, and that happened to be seeing a Neurologist. That's where we got our diagnosis from. It's been about a month since the diagnosis. We just had a Team meeting here in my home two days ago. Together we sat down and discussed his strengths and weaknesses. We've all decided in June he will be placed in a preschool 2x a week 3 hours/day. My son has never been away from me except when I was in preterm labor with his sister, which ended up being for about a week and a half. This is not only going to be difficult for him but for me as well. I have researched a lot since my request, and thanks to may of you who've given me links and what not. I've also joined another group called cafemom.com and found a group specifically for this diagnosis. I found a post interesting in there and wanted to know if any of you've heared of this?
I'm sure we are all aware of the supposed link between mercury in childhood vaccines and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mercury poisoning is not a theory, but a proven medical fact. High levels of mercury administered to an infant can cause damage to the exact same parts of the brain affected by Autism, therefore causing the same symptoms. Naturally, mercury poisoning usually presents as Autism, Asperger's, PDD, or other ASD's. There is one profound difference between mercury poisoning and Autism: mercury poisoning is curable. Most doctors and labs don't provide the type of testing necessary to see how much mercury is in your child's system unless it was recently ingested, and most (if not all) insurance companies will not cover the tests or treatment. However, children who have undergone the treatment to remove the mercury have been cured of their "Autism." And it seems a large percentage of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders today may be affected by mercury - and therefore curable. -another ASD mom from cafemom.com
Now that I've read that I don't think there will be any harm bringing that into my pedi's office and to their attention. I plan on doing that whether it's the case or not. I have come to the realization that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!! I'm definately still scared and still just starting down this road, but it's one I'm traveling with my family TOGETHER and not terribly alone. Thanks again everyone.
hi L.. Im S.. My oldest son who is 8, was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, on the spectrum a year ago. I will try to help you with whatever I can!! Just send me an email:)
S.
L.,
I have a friend with autistic children. She has found friends, support, and guidance from a program called Valuing Our Children. I don't know where you live but the one in my area may be able to help you find a program in your area.
Valuing Our Children
217 Walnut Street
Athol, MA 01331
1###-###-####
I hope this is of some help,
J.
Hi L.,
My son is two and he was diagnosed six months ago with autism. The spectrum of ASD is very broad and has many different characteristics. My son is non verbal, non social and doesn't like to play. We are working daily with a developmental therapist and have speech therapy and occupational therapy twice a week. It is such a hard road. We are the advocates for Ryan and it is very tiring and stressful. Was your child diagnosed? You can contact the autism society of maine and they have autism specialists that will come and talk with you, they are volunteers and so nice and very knowledgable. I have been reading everything I can find about autism. My prayers are with you. You can email me if you have any questions.
I have 2 sons diagnosed with an ASD. It is scary and it is a long road ahead. There are many services and resources available to us as parents as well as help for our children. You said this was the beginning stages for you. How old is your son? If he is younger than 3, he can get services from Early Intervention. If he is 3 or older, he can be in an integrated preschool or grade level classroom. Tell me a little more... I'm also a former elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom 2 years ago. ____@____.com
Hello L.,
I have a stepson, 13 yo, who was just diagnosed with Aspergers in December of 2006. Aspergers is considered to be on the Autism spectrum as a high functioning form of autism. It is a very difficult road to travel - you are right. We are lucky that my stepson has four very concerned parents all pitching in. He will be starting an alternative school next week. I am not sure what your situation really is, but there is the an organization designed to help. www.aane.org
Please get in touch with me if you want to talk more!
Hi L., I do not have a child diagnosed with this, however, I do believe my 5 year old displays signs of ASD so I have read up a lot on it. One book that I have found to be very helpful in understanding all this is A parent's guide to Asperger Syndrome and high-functioning autism : how to meet the challenges and help your child thrive by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, James McPartland. It was really easy to read and has lots of valuable info. You seem to have already gotten a lot of responses - but that should also help some.
Hi,
my name is Niki and I have a daughter who was diasgoned with Autism Specturm disorder last Feb. It was very hard of me to hear it, but she is doing great. She is in pre-school and doing great. Please feel free to e-mail me, if you want to talk or have any questions. It's a hard thing to deal with, but your not alone. Talk to u soon
Niki
____@____.com
Hi L. S.
I do not have a child with an Autism spectrum diagnosis, however I have cared for one in my childcare for 6 years. This child is now in regular public school, on grade level, and doing very very well. Interventions with CDS etc. began early...at about 2.5 years. Parent advocacy was the biggest thing for this child's success. Parents stayed involved helping to coordinate the many therapies and support workers. They maintained communication logs between themselves and all the therapists..OT, PT, Speech, DT. They called meetings to discuss questions and concerns. They involved all people who cared for or served this child.
There is going to be a walk for Autism coming up on Sunday, May 6, at 10:00am. It is the first Lewiston-Auburn Autism Awareness Walk. It will begin at Festival Plaza in Auburn and be 3 miles in length. Contact is Shawn Burns ###-###-#### e-mail ____@____.com
This should be a great venue to meet other parents in a similar situation and increase awareness in the community.
I hope you and your family will join us!
R. B
Owner/Operator Family Child Care
Hi L.,
My younger son is on the Autism Spectrum (PDD-NOS -- Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified). He was diagnosed after he turned 3 and is very verbal. His main issues are pragmatic language skills (conversational speech) and he has quite a few sensory issues that are getting better with time (he is going to be 5 this summer).
There is a lot out there to digest. A few "groups" to check out include -- Common Bonds in Yahoo! Groups -- they are MA based Autism families message board, also if you are in MA you should check out MASSPAC and get involved in your town's PAC (or PACE) group for families with children who have special needs.
If you'd like more info, contact me at:
____@____.com
-J.
Married Mom of two boys, living in Westport, MA
I have a son on the autism spectrum, so I'm here if you'd like to chat. :)
I'm in the same situation,but we haven't even gotten the testing done yet. Everyone is backed up until at least January in my area,so that's frustrating. Right now I'm working on trying to get the school to understand,and since he is a great student,they don't seem to want to even give him OT for what are some pretty bad motor skill problems. As I'm sure you know,these kids have obsessions,and one of Max's obsessions is school,so he excels there. The problem is dealing with other kids,and he seems unable to tell when he's being made fun of or when a child doesn't like him. So he's pretty easy to take advantage of and has things taken from him constantly. I have scheduled a meeting with his teacher,so I hope that gets some results. If not I'm going to have to go further. So far I've had to bring him to the doctor for hearing tests he didn't need,to check his legs because he is very clumsy and uncoordinated,and most recently when he became overwhelmed at school,a physical checkup because they thought he was sick! I hope it gets smoother,but I don't think it will. Good luck,and hang in there. That's what we're doing!
I am a mom of a two year old boy and a six year old girl we live in Springfield Vermont and I am looking to meet other mothers in the area who would like to meet for playgroups.
