My husband and I finally met with the neurologist. He said to us with a very kind heart.. "I do not need to tell you what you already know" He confirmed our beliefs that our son is autistic..we have already begun the early intervention program and OT. He will begin ST once he starts going to his new school. The school focuses on the necessary therapies between 9-2.
How do I know the level of my son's autism? There are so many websites and books, can anyone give me some recommendations as to where to start? Also, does anyone know where I can get a copy of the NBC DVD "Autism- The Hidden Epidemic" Can someone burn a copy for me?
Hi SherriAnne, just wanted to say hi and welcome to the board. I am so glad you found a kind-hearted neurologist to work with (that makes a big difference) and that your son is getting the services he needs. It sounds like you and your husband are really on top of everything for your son.
As far as finding the level of your son's autism, I can't really help. My dd's neurologist gave her the diagnosis of pdd-nos, mild, high funtioning himself. I think others here have had their children evaluated through autism centers and/or state or county-run regional centers and/or the school district. I think you can find more info on the For Newbies thread on how to get further testing and others who respond can tell you more I'm sure. I had my dd evaluated for speech (she is 3) by the school district and I started her in ST immediately (before I even got in to see the neurologist). I am having my dd further evaluated through my county's regional center, which in addition to the necessary therapies for her, provides respite care, parent training, support, counseling and other much needed services like that. It's a complicated, confusing, gut-wrenching process trying to find the right services for our kids, but it seems like you're already on it with the early intervention, OT and upcoming ST. Good for you.
I hope you find this board as much a source of info and support as I do!
SheriAnne,
About the level of autism. My son was intially diagnosed with PDD-NOS pending further evaluation. Once that final eval was complete I got the paperwork and on it it stated just simply Autistic disorder. Now...In the cover letter she wrote to me she stated that she BELEIVES that adam is a High functioning child, with Autism. So what that told me is that the label High functioning is an opinion and not the diagnosis. The diagnosis is autism. Everything that I have read online about High functioning states that it appears that they have an IQ greater that 70. But since I don't believe they did an actual IQ test on my son that would explain why she said that she believes he is high functioning. So I would recommend asking the Neurologist that diagnosed him where he thinks your son falls exactly. Take care,
Karrie
Dear Mommies,SheriAnne,
I'm sorry you are going through this. Grieve if you need to- but have hope. There are many great things to come! You son will make progress and you will cherish every bit of it. As far as the severity- it's really hard to know when children are being diagnosed very young. Also, it can change over time. Right now I would just focus on gettign the necessary therapies. Probably around age 5-6 your neurologist will be able to give you a better idea on prognosis.
Here's the website started afte the NBC serires Autism the Hidden Epidemic.I would contact them about the DVD. It is quite good.
http://autismspeaks.org/autism/index.asp
I know when Jeffrey was diagnosed, his neuro told me he was truly autistic. That is true even now. You can definitely tell a big difference between him and a normal child. As far as Gabe, some days he acts quite normal and some days he doesn't. But he is also very curious about things too.
Tammy
Hi. I haven't posted in awhile so welcome also. My youngest son Jakob turned 2 on July 6th. He was dx'd by a dev. ped. at 20 months as mod-sev. autism. I don't think anyone will tell us at this young age whether he is HF or LF or what. Especially since Jakob is still non-verbal. This board has given me more information than all the books I've read put together. The books and the board helped me a lot the first couple of months just to understand that I was now a part of this autism "world" (I was in denial for awhile). It sounds like you have the best start possible, by already having him in EI. I'm told, the earlier the intervention the better chance they have of ended up "higher" on the spectrum. IT's a roller coaster...constant ups and downs, but it's sounds like you are off to a great start.Hi SheriAnne, Welcome to the board.
As far as the level of PDD your child has they may be waiting to officially dx that due to age or wanting to see how he responds to therapies first.
In my opinion this is a great site for learning more about the different ASD's http://www.childbrain.com/pdd.shtml
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A Clear Practical Approach for the Parents. Dr. Grossmann has provided this PDD/Autism section of our website as a clear and practical resource for patients and their families who live with one of the various forms of PDD:
Regarding the Autism the Hidden epidemic DVD.... Im not sure but they might be making more and putting them back up for sale again soon.... I would keep checking the site. http://nbcstore.shopnbc.com/product/?storeid=2&familyid= N60516&track=506023&Deptid=50623&rap=2114 I do have some of it taped from the TV when it aired but not all of it so I bought the DVD, but Im not sure if it has one of those blockers in it so it cant be copied ?
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My son was dx with autism at age 34 months, he is autistic and they have not labeled him HF, Mod or LF. The Ped Neuro told me that he needed to be older and have had more therapy to enable him to assess where he was. He also reminded me that with therapy and age, many children go up and down the spectrum.
My heart hurts that you got the dx, but I also am happy that your child will now get the help he needs (sometimes not without a fight from you and his Daddy). It is MHO that it is so much better to go ahead and get things started.
Jean