My name is Melissa. My little one Will is 21 almost 22 months old and is in the Autism spectrum. Not exactly sure where since we are waiting (not very patiently) for our evaluation in December! He is the sweetest little boy! He spoke a few words around a year but only says them every month or so. He doesn't answer to his name but his eye contact is getting better!
We live in GA with my husband, and step son (who goes to be with his mom in the summers). My mom also lives with us which is a big help! She is not so accepting of all of this but is coming around.
I would like to talk with other people who have little ones! My husband and I are just trying to get our heads around the mass amounts of information out there and figure out what is best for Will.

I don't have a toddler thatis ASD but a 8 year old I joined the goup becasue my ASD son is functing at a 12 to 18 month level in some areas and a 36 month level in others. I also have a 3 year old with a speech delay not ASD (yea) so I wanted to gain info from all of you.Thanks Quincy

It seems like I post a message then think of something else. Sorry!

If you are participating in an EI program and the evaluation you are waiting for is on your son's IFSP, it would seem that you would be able to get that evaluation sooner than December.

Just my thoughts.

Aloha,
Eileen

When I read, "waiting (not very patiently) for our evaluation in December." I was amazed, and a little appalled.

Are you participating in an early intervention program? I am not a parent, but if you have read my bio, you know that I am an early childhood educator in an early intervention program on Kaua`i.

Are you waiting for a developmental evaluation or a specific autism evaluation?

In our EI program, and I'm not sure what the EI programs are like in Georgia, we have a psychologist available to us, who is able to diagnose.

I'm wondering also, since you are close to North Carolina, if you would be able to work with the TEACCH folks in Chapel Hill.

All of what I am writing is possibly not applicable in Georgia, but just my gut reaction.

Best of luck to you.

In Peace and with Aloha,
Eileen

Hi. My little guy is 2. He was diagnosed at 15 months as severe and has since been reassessed at moderate. He started talking in March and hasn't stopped since. We are doing in-home therapy (Son-Rise) and have seen huge changes in him.

My son who is moderate is turning five next week and my very high functioning girl is three in September. I work with lot of "typically developing" pre-schoolers and was not prepared to be an ASD mom (and to two at that). I am at a loss at what to do with my son a lot but we are working through his issues with some sanity left over.

I work with children from time of diagnosis to kindergarten entrance. As a result, my little clients come to me anywhere from 16 months to 3 years. I love working with the toddlers! I would love to be a resource for you all - and I would love to learn more about families and what they need from me. Deb

I have a 3.5 yo son w/ ASD and numerous other diagnosis. We got the ASD diagnosis when he was almost three.