update | Autism PDD

Allegra,

Such great news! I am so glad that Sharlet is finally going to get the help that she needs to blossom.

Allegra- that's great news. We know you've been waiting a long time to get some services. I bet Sharlet is going to do great!

way to go sharlet

great news alegra

love her bob...quinnie had one like that for most of her life. sharlet's is striking because of her coloring

Allegra,

That is so fabulous!

Allegra

I am so happy to hear you getting some good people and it sounds like Sharlet is going to be a very busy girl. More than words is a great program! Our consultant implemented techniques from RDI,More than words, Teach me language..all of these books come highly recommended and all are gear toward little ones on up to getting language out of them. Your daughter's labels will change many times..just as Sarah's did and I think that is something professionals should tell parents! Sarah was diagnosed mild to moderate only because she had no repetitions or lining up things..but she was severely affected socially moreso than some kids labeled severe autism. Now she wouldn't get the autism label at all but social pragmatics of language are behind and that is a HUGE step forward! Good luck and keep us posted:)

Blessings,

Shelley

Allegra, I feel like I'm stalking you because I've commented on all of your threads about this news - yeah, if you want things to get read, they really have to be posted in this forum, it seems.

Congratulations!

How excitng for your family!!! Great news.

Wow Allegra!!!!

Things are really looking up arent they? Keep us posted.

So happy for you & Sharlet

Allegra ... this is fantastic news! Keep us posted as things progress. I am very thrilled this is coming together for you.

Wonderful news!!!

Tiffany

Glad you're getting some help for her

It sounds like you have some really hopeful things going for yor adorable little one! I'll be thinking of her!

Angie

Hi, I just thought I'd post this here, or noone will read it.

Just wanted to update. I had the first meeting with the EI people last night, Some positive things will be happening this year.

1. The teachers are in the process of being trained in floortime and will be offering it this year.

2. The autism consultant is going to the USA for a month to work with some of your best minds to see what else she can do for our kids this year and next.

3. I am being put in a program called more than words, currently there is only 8 kids in my state in the program. The woman running it is meant to be amazing at getting kids with autism speaking. we all think Sharlet is showing signs that she is ready to start speaking.

4. The autism consultant told me that she has worked with over a thousand kids with autism in her career and she can tell me with confidence that she doesn't think that Sharlet will remain moderate-severe as her dx says. She thinks that she will end up presenting as HFA by the time she is 6 yrs or so. This was amazing to hear, as she is the first person to really say that(who has met Sharlet) and I really do respect her experience.

5. They will be offering some home visits this year.

I am feeling more positive than I have since the dx at the moment, I'm excited to see what progress she will make!

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Allegra,

That is SO hopeful! I know you have been trying to be so patient with the system there in Australia. Tony is 12 now, but reading about Sharlet and some of the other young kids brings back so many memories of those days.

If I recall correctly, the age gap between Sharlet and your baby is about the same as between Tony and my youngest son. I recall all too well how draining it can be with a 3 yr old with autism and a newborn. You spread yourself so thin trying to do all the right things.

Hopefully, this is a good beginning to lots of good things with Sharlet. She is so precious (but you knew that already)!

Mary