Autism - Rock City Falls,NY

Hey Alison,

You must be feeling very overwhelmed and frustrated! I am a behavior specialist who works with Children with Autism (I am also 8 months pregnant with my first child). Before I started my career with this population I was a preschool teacher, so I would like to think I am able to give you some advice here. First of all, if your daughter does have Autism you can not blame yourself in anyway - this is the way she was made and although the road ahead will be difficult, she is still your child and needs your love and support.

What you have described does sound pretty normal to me - Kids all develop at different times and in different ways - you can't compare one to the next. The verbalizations you described could very well be her way of trying out new sounds or testing her vocal cords - toddlers are (as I"m sure you know) extremely curious creatures and sometimes their ways of exploring seem weird to adults. The bathing and play concerns are pretty typical, both tend to be cyclical (one month they hate the bath, then next they love it).

There are some questions you can ask yourself - Does your daughter make eye contact? Does she interact with you or your husband? Does she respond when you speak to her, or when you play with her? These are things your doctor will be looking for. Also, things like does she do any stimulatory behaviors (hand flapping, head shaking, rocking); does she have aversions to loud noises, certain fabrics, overhead lighting; has she "lost" skills she once had (language, motor skills, socialization skills).

I hope I was of some help; although it sounds to me like your daughter is ok - maybe going through an annoying stage, but overall "normal". Please let me know if I can be of anymore help... and keep me updated!!

She definitely needs to be evaluated. My daughter is only a couple mos older then yours and is easily saying 3-4 word sentences. Does she make eye contact? That is another big one in autistic children. Maybe she should be evaulated by a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. Look online and see if there are any in your area that your insurance covers. It may not be autism, but it could be another spectrum disorder. I have to agree with you, something doesn't sound right. Look into sensory disorders. I would start looking for a new doctor. Someone who specializes in these kinds of things. Good luck. If you look into a specialist you may get the help your looking for.

Dear MOm,

It sounds like autism to me,

Its not an easy thing to admit and come to terms with so, your acceptance will benefit you and your child in the long run.

I would Immediately call birth23

http://www.birth23.org/

They will put you in the right path, have her evaluated and set up a plan for services.

My friend has them out at the house for 2.5 hours per day.

they go where ever your daughter is, so you don't even have to be there.

They are wonderful. But remember you are your daughters advocate and need to sometimes push the teachers to do more.

have her ears tested as well.

Mom, its not easy to accept that something could potentially be wrong with your child,

But once your able to come to terms, you can create a plan for solution.

I also suggest joining a MOMS group in your area,
they usually have Babysitting Co ops.

this will help when you really need a break.

Also asking your 13 year old neighbor to babysit while you clean up the house, or just need a break

M

Hi Alison,

I agree with Melissa and I think she gave you some really sound advice. I own a preschool and have worked with children for many years. You sound like you are very overwhelmed with worry. Have you considered putting her into a part-time preschool for some interaction with other children her age. Mostly to get out some of her energy, socialize with her peers, and also to give you a much needed break. I also was a stay at home mom with a VERY active, and VERY demanding child so I feel your pain. My son was very bright and needed constant attention and stimulation. There were days I would just cry from exhaustion so I know how you feel. From the minute his little feet hit the floor he was nonstop and as I said very demanding. I would call family members just for the break. When my daughter was born and was the total opposite (easy going, played alone, smiled all of the time) I thought there was something wrong with her LOL!!!! I have a child at my center who is getting help for his speech delay and is doing amazing. Prior to that he couldn't sit in circle time, would not play with the other children and would simply wander the room. Sometimes symptoms and actions can mirror so many other diagnosis (like autism). Now that this child is learning to speak, he sits with his friends, he is learning to communicate and his behavior has completely changed. I think before you completely convince yourself there is something else wrong give the speech therapy a chance. So many behaviors can stem from lack of speech, biting, hitting, isolation, and most come from frustration on their part. Once she is given the words she needs to communicate I am sure you will see a big improvement. Good luck and keep us posted.

Alison, have your daughter evaluated. Take her to see either a developmental pediatrician, or a pediatric neuropsychologist. Either they will tell you that everything is okay, or they will let you know what she's got going on so that you can get her what she needs. It sounds to me like she's a little unusual, but she's also very very young. They didn't diagnose my son until he was three, and many Drs are uneasy putting a label on a kid who is still so little. Do yourself a favor and have the eval done, it will put your mind at ease.

Yes Alison, I agreed with all the Moms, with a daughter diagnosis of ADHD/ PDD(NOS) it is a category of Autism. My daughter is 11, if your insurance has a NeuroDevelopmental Pediatrican-get the eval from them. Then do not stop there, make sure they test all the senses even the eyes because my daughter's problems I found out about her eyes late-She is blind in one eye. Keep that second sense and get the evaluations, brace yourself for a bumpy ride. If you want to email me please do and bounce ideas - let me know. (____@____.com)

Tell your pediatrician you want her checked out by a specialist.. make a video to bring along with you. Let him see how she is acting. It doesn't sound like autism actually but maybe something else? or she just might like to repeat everything.. who knows?? goood luck