You know, in some ways I think a mother's intuition is usually pretty good
but in other ways I know that what we picture 'autism looks like' often is
not true. Having a wrong idea about what autism was had kept me from
considering it as a possibility. I understood it better once I realized that
autism is not actually one thing but is the umbrella name for delays/ a-
typical development in the areas of communication, interests & behaviors
and social interaction. From what you discribe I hate to say your daughter
fits that profile.
If you have doubts about the diagnosis by all means find a good autism
center or developmental ped and have them evaluate again. And if they
should confirm that diagnosis your daughter is young and should be
able to make a ton of progress with the right interventions. This is not
an 'all ends' diagnosis. Whatever it turns out to be it seems like
something is going on with yor little sweetie and whatever it is there will
be ways to help her.
I'm sorry - I know it is a terrible sinking feeling to realize that there is
something going on with your kid. But knowing is always better than not
knowing.
Sarah at diagnoses was hard to accept..I only saw a quiet little girl but the reality was she had few words, little eye contact and appeared deaf..toe walked and so aloof~wanting no ones company at all..no pointing or playing with toys..very picky eater and night terrors ect..I thought she was normal and then the more I read about autism the more I saw the same sx as Sarah's over and over..very erriee to think so many kids have your childs unique quirks:) She got intense ABA and speech for three years and doing awesome. It is not a death sentence..your child is capable of learning and progressing but needs early intervention..and a lot of it:) We were told to engage her at all waking hours either in ABA therapy,,speech or play..she never qualified for PT/PT therapy but many parents use it especially if your child has sensory issues. Children with autism range from very mildly affected to severe..intellegence can be low or genius..all kids present different. With proper interventions many can go to public school and be totally mainstreamed with or without an aide. Some may be in special ed. for years and then mainstreamed.. or need supervision there whole lives.
If you feel in your gut she is not autistic then get her into a developmental pediatrician right away who spends hours evaluating your child..he can better than anyone else tell you exactly if your child is autistic and why she qualifies for the diagnoses..get your answers now and if she is dont dispair..get her help asap!
Keep us posted:)
Hi there,
My daughter is 2 1/2 and was diagnosed with autism.... I am new to the board and was wondering if anyone could please help me with this.... I really have a feeling that she has been misdiagnosed... She does have some similar symptoms, but I am just not sure. My pediatrician disagrees with the specialist and nothing has been done except for some bloodwork and the lab messed that up so it has to be done again... It breaks my heart to think of my little one going through all of that again!!! The specialist spent all of 3 minutes with my daughter before sitting me down and telling me that she had autism... She said that she was 100% sure and would classify her as moderate on the autism scale... What does this mean???
a quick overview of my daughter:
1.She constantly claps her hands when anxious...
2.Started talking (about 20 words), but has stopped saying any words except Mommy...
3.Plays by herself alot but likes company on occasion...
4.Runs around the house ALL day long....
She is at home with me and I run a small business from home and work alot, she liked to play alone, so I let her, now I am questioning if I should have made her play with me.... She doesn't like toys, she loves the outdoors, riding in her wagon...etc...
Any information would be great!!! Thank you all so much!!!
Rachel
Just to add to posts above:what kind of specialist did you go to? And then why do you also need to see a Dev ped?
Find a DAN doctor: (scroll down a bit to look for one close to you)
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari-lists/danus.html
Are you in Gainesville, btw? Bacause of the Gators I noticed...
Sarah received a diagnoses of pdd-nos before she got the autism label. It usually means they have some traits of autism but not all to be called classic autism..
Pdd-nos it can be severe or mild depending on IQ...I would get information of getting her as much ABA and speech as you can either through the school or privately. Pdd-nos is just as serious as an "autism" label and early intervention is key to her progressing.
Glad you got her diagnosed~read all you can handle..research this board and seek advice as much as you need here~we are here for you:)
It is a scary diagnoses with so much to learn but know that much help is available now to help her. Kids today make tremendous progress and some actually lose the diagnoses of autism~we did:) Good luck!
Thank you so much for all of your words of encouragement!
So, today we went to a specialist.... The visit was 2.5 hours and we received a diagnosis of PDD-NOS....
Any thoughts on this???
Getting speech started the first week of July, seeking a developmental ped, and scheduling blood work again and a first time hearing exam....
At this point would you all say that I am missing anything??? Anything else I should be scheduling???
Thank you again!!!