Thank you guys for the link It was so helpful.
The Ped Neuro we saw said that my child had 'infantile' autisim and 'epileptic aphasia'. I was absolutley terrified!!!!!!! Until I went to the Ped and she told me (later I confirmed that online) that infantile autism simply means the child was under 3 when the autism was noted and that if a child had words and looses them (as my child did) that is sometimes diagnosed (most often by a Ped Neuro) as epileptic aphasia, this was also confirmed by research online. It can get so confusing and so overwhelming. I think it over complicated but again, whats in a name? A rose is a rose EXCEPT when you are looking for services. I wanted my child to be PDD-NOS so badly!!!!!!!! Well, truth be told, I wanted the assessment team to tell me that I had wasted their time and there was NOTHING wrong with my baby (just like the Ped had been telling me for a year). Now, I am much more accepting and try my best to take things as they come (except when I get into a deep depression or a blind panic).
Good Luck with your kids! I know all about the loooooooooong waits for Dr's and sometimes they seem to know less than I do and that is very scary.!!! Let us know how things go and we are wishing you the best!
KAte,
Of course you are NOT greedy! I think sometimes that is how 'the system' tries to make us feel. Our children have rights. We are not asking for handouts, or special favors or anything that our children do not have the right to expect. When our children receive appropriate services, we are NOT receiving them for any other reason than our children need them and are due them (JMHO)
Wishing you and your kids all the best!
thanks jean!
kate
Just a clarification. The test at childbrain.com says to do it and take it to your Doctor. That of course was my intention. I believe that we should never try and diagnose our children but it doesn't hurt to have as much info as possible for the Doctor.
well, i did speak today to one of kam's 2 kindergarten teachers. i told her that i thought i should investigate kameron for possible autism as she knows his little brother has been diagnosed. she said she thought that would be a REALLY good idea. she has agreed to write up a report to bring to the dr. i have decided to make kam an appt with the neurologist, but still bring him with to keiths appt so that he can just be aware. since it is so long a waiting list, i figure i would make the appt now, and have it scheduled for dec. and then be able to roll with it. i did print out the questionnaire and planned to bring it to the dr. a lot of times it is easier for the dr also, to have siblings going together to be able to see what one bounces off the other.....like when i was little, if one of us got strep throat, ALL of us had to be tested and usually put on anibiotics. anyway, i am not going to be in denial. i want to diagnosis to be accurate, but i do want every accomodation made that is available. i don't think that makes me greedy, just trying to be prepared....
thanks guys, i apreciate you input,
kate
Actually I think the pdd-nos test is at www.childbrain.com. It helped me a lot I'd try it. Good luck.
Amber
Some people consider PDD the unbrella for all of the autism like disorders and some people say it is ASD. PDD-nos is basically where you don't have enough characteristics to qualify for autism.
Tammy
ok, keith is hfa. now, the more i read and test kameron, he seems to fall under the PDD category.
now, my question is. is pdd the same as autism with just fewer quirks, or ????
kameron is 7, has repeated kindergarten, and is just starting first grade. he went to a reverse mainstream/dd preschool, as a child with no developemental issues. his teacher there said to me once, he was just like all the other kids, but she wasn't getting funding for him. that was enough for me to yank him out, b/c she was like he is such a burden.....i don't know.
anyway....keith has a neurology appt on the 16th and i plan to take kameron with me to it to talk to the dr about him too....takes about 3 months to get an appt. but i figured i had better get the ball rolling on him. but, applying for benefits for keith, ssi, medicaid, and whatever else i can get, would kameron be eligible for benefits also, dubbed PDD, or do they have to be labeled autistic to qualify??????
please help,
kate
PDD is the same as Autism but with fewer of the categories on the DSM IV. There is a link in the newbies thread with the DSM IV, and the test that you do at www.childbrain.com (thanks for the correction) could be very helpful.Also keep in mind the DSM-IV book is a huge book. So even tho you looked at the criteria for asd, the doctor might be referring to some other diagnosis that is covered in the book. There are quite a few learning disabilities out there. All these tests online are just a guide.
Tammy
i did the test. kameron came out as a 88, mild pdd. i just want to get all of my paperwork rolling b/c i am drowning in it! i want to get him an iep going if that is what he needs, and i think he DOES. i don't want him to fail 1st grade too, i want to get him the help he needs, but it would be easier on me if i were doing both boys at the same time....i think.
thanks,
kate
Kate, keep in mind the online tests are just a GUIDE and not ment for diagnosis.
PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) basically mean the same. It is an umbrella term for which their are 5 different diagnosis 1. autism, 2. PDD-NOS (which some doctors will incorrectly sometimes shorten and say PDD. It is the catch all category when enough criteria is not met for an autism diagnosis but many characteristics are there) 3. Aspergers, 4. CDD (Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - very rare - a regressive autism later in childhood), and 5. Rett's (which affects girls only)
If you already have a neuro appointment, I would call the office and tell them you have some additional questions ahead of time. The docs set aside a particular amount of time to examine their patient and talk to you about that patient. Depending on the docs schedule there might not be time to discuss issues about another child, and the patient needs to have a complete exam.
Has the school ever evaluated him for any disabilities?
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What is PDD or autism? http://www.childbrain.com/pddq1.shtml
PDD or pervasive developmental disorder is a behavioral disorder of speech, communication, social interaction, and repetitive type compulsive behavior. Autism is a form of PDD. There are five types of PDD's. The most commonly encountered are PDD NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified), childhood autism, and Asperger's syndrome. All these "different" conditions have common diagnostic and physiologic features but differ slightly by the specific diagnostic criteria. (See The DSMV IV criteria for autistic disorders).