worried about new siblings | Autism PDD

Hi Sonia,

You are definitely NOT the only one to feel this way! Everyday I look at Andrew and try to pick out differences between him and Luke. Of course, this is silly be/c OF COURSE they'll be different -- they're different people! We DO plan on doing things differently this time, however. As far as the immunizations go, we're going to do a staggered course of shots ... and we won't be getting all of them. So, we'll be allowing only one shot at a time (nothing combined together ... no MMR, for example ... will do measles, mumps, and rubella separately) and just one shot per visit. If your child already has had most shots, why not wait to get the MMR (instead of not getting it at all)? Just delay it until your child is 4 or 5. Talk to your physician about it.

Also, we won't be ignoring anything that seems like allergies this time around (with Andrew). Luke showed all sorts of signs of allergies, but his pediatricians never commented on it except to say that he'll probably get asthma someday, too. How nice, huh? Since food allegies may be one of the precipitating factors of autism, we'll be sure to stay on top of that! We're also getting early intervention involved with screening our infant every few months to make sure he's following the correct developmental track (in addition to the doctor wellness visits) so that if he starts to be delayed AT ALL, he's already in the early intervention system and doesn't have to wait for treatment to begin.

Don't feel ashamed. It's normal to be very worried about your other children if you already have one with PDD. Just don't forget to enjoy your dd too! Don't waste her precious early months being so worked up over her development that you ignore where she's at right now.

Good luck and God bless your family!
Kellie

hi kellie,

thanks for your input it makes sense also very encouraging. I was thinking about waiting till 4 or 5 be\c i will have little choice then, i will be very scared then so Iam praying they will have new info or some sort of change to help by then.

May God con"t to help us all!

sonia

hi everyone,

My 3yr old Daren is autistic with some language.I have a 3month old daughter and i am triying so hard to stay possitive that she will be fine but it is so hard not to worry i know worries won't solve a thing.She seems perfect right now as daren did,(too good to be true ........? ). I keep trying to find and point out differences,I know this is starting to sound rediculous,But how easy is it not to worry? I see lots of u are in the same boat with new borns , what will u do that is different this time around? (Precautions? )I'm sure there isnt much we can do, but i'll try what little i can?

Also the MMR shot, what can we do? she had most of the shots already (6) but i dont think i want her to get this one i am so afraid . daren too started to show signs immediately after he got it but of course at the time i had no idea about it. I dont care what FDA says this shot should come with a warning or be seperated. I feel very ashamed to let anyone know i am even thinking like this but i cant help it no matter how hard i try. Am i the only one to feel like this?

Sonia

Hello to you both!!!

I'm actually trying right now for baby number 2...although we are scared about the possiblities that our next child may also have PDD-NOS or something else on the spectrum, but we have both decided that would just be God's will, and we will be able to handle it like we do w/ Nicholas, probably much better because we will most likely catch it quicker and know more than we did before, Ie....spreading out the vaccines or ordering special vaccines if possilbe...bottom line is we want another precious angel in our lives and would take another Nicholas in a heartbeat! I'm so happy for you both right now becaused you both are truly blessed! (I'm sure you're both exhausted too...go get some rest LOL!)

Big hugs!!!

Ali