Welcome to the board!!!!!
We have a DS who is 30 months old and has been receiving EI services for almost a year now. We originally contacted EI for a speech delay but soon found out there were other issues. His eye contact was not consistent, and I wouldn't say that he is a loner because he loves to be around me, but he won't play with other kids. DS is not verbal, but was late in walking (17 month, which I now hear is not considered late) got his first tooth also at 17 months, was basically late at everything.
We took him to get his hearing checked before we contacted EI, his tests were fine. We were concerned about his hearing because he would not consistently respond to his name. He does not have tantrums, but he does cover his ears when he is anxious or upset. He is now receiving DI, PT(he doesn't run or jump although the PT says his gross motor skills are fine) and ST. He will soon be receiving ABA. The developmental ped is concerned with his severe lack of verbal communication and his social skills. We have a 5 year old DD and he will not initiate play with her, but will occassionally play with her if she initiates it. He is VERY attached to me, meaning he will follow me if I leave the room and will always look behind to see if I am there if he is walking ahead of me. He is very affectionate and loves to give me hugs. He will come off of the sofa he is sitting on and come sit next to me. His eye contact has improved from before, but still doesn't point to things.
He has come a long way from when he originally started EI. When he first started, he would sit there and gaze. He would mouth everything, but the DI thinks that would be due to the fact that he was teething BIG time. He got all his teeth in 3 months. Now he picks up books and really focuses on them. He loves puzzles and will join me in stacking blocks.
I am glad to have found a place where I can reach out to others going through the same thing. I am still in shock although I knew that he was not developing typically. We don't have any family history of Autism and he was a full term baby w/o any complications.
Thanks for listening.
Welcome to the board. The diagnosis is always a shock, even if you anticipate it. My daughter was only recently diagnosed -- at 6 YEARS, and it was huge shock initially.
It gets said a lot, but once you begin to realize that he is the same child as before the diagnosis, and begin to consider his strengths, and not just his "symptoms," it gets easier. But that can take time, and a LOT of thought ... so hopefully you will find help here, for both your feelings and your questions, during this complicated time. I know it has been a HUGE help to me ... it was like the missing part of the equation, after reading all the porfessional clinical stuff, to hear from other parents!
my son was in EI before 2 years and is now almost 3.5 and about 2