Saw neurologist today... | Autism PDD

We saw a pediatric neurologist today after waiting what seemed like an eternity. Noah doesn't yet have an official dx but the neuro said she believes he has PDD w/autistic features and has referred us to see a speech pathologist and a psychologist, and she strongly recommended we start him in the school system this fall. She also said that one good thing that Noah has on his side is the fact that he is very smart and is learning new words everyday, even though he hasn't effectively formed sentences yet. He was making real good eye contact today and was even trying to play with the other kids in the waiting room who didn't even notice him because they probably have a form of PDD also - but at least no one was mean to him like the NT kids we run into at the playground. He even spoke new words today at the visit that surprised my husband and I. I wonder if we don't give him enough credit.

Before I ever realized that Noah had a disorder I was planning on enrolling him in piano lessons since he loooooves music so much and loves to play with his toy keyboard. I was wondering if anyone has a child w/PDD that plays any kind of musical instrument? I still want him to try to learn to play maybe in a year or two after he learns to communicate a little better.

I'm glad to hear you are making some progress for Noah!    Time to get the ball rolling!    I bet you will see lots of improvements when you get all of his services in place!!

My kids love music too.    I waited to start lessons because he had trouble understanding and following instructions.    I wasn't sure a piano teacher could handle Jacob!   He was in 2nd grade this year and started playing melody lines from songs on his own.    My daughter said the music teacher at school was teaching his whole class keyboards.    I called her and told her how amazed I was at his progress.     The teacher was dumbfounded.....she said we don't start on keyboards until 3rd grade!!      So the little bugger was picking it up on his own.   I'm going to try to get him into lessons this fall but I'm still not sure how he will cooperate!

Good luck to your family!!    bonnie

Stephanie,

So glad to hear that things are rolling now, as bonnie has stated. I think if Noah is showing a real interest in music then it would be a GREAT idea for him to take lessons. If things don't go well then you can always pull him out. Thanks for the update and keep us posted!! Take care,

Karrie