State: PA
Country: USA
Member since: Jan 09, 2008
Last logged in: Sep 05, 2008
Hello,
I am a stay at home mom to 4 wonderful children. i would not trade the time i get to spend with them for anything. The kids are growing up so fast it is unreal. My oldest is in second grade this year, my little me...lol..(she looks just like me) is in kindergarten, and then my baby girl was 4 in November, and my baby boy was 3 in December...He is the reason for joining this site.He is in the process of being evaluated for Autism.So far all they will tell me is that he has developmental delays, Gross motor delays, mixed receptive/expressive language disorder, sensory issues,low muscle tone...and then they say.."Early signs of Aspergers" or "Possible PDD-NOS" , we take him back again this month..i am hoping to hear something other than bring him back in 3 months..:) and his regular ped, said he thinks hi is on the higher end of the spectrum. and his speech therapist said she thinks he might have apraxia...so there you have it.....my introduction....:)...i am hoping to make some friends who understand without a word....:)
Favorite Compositions (0)
Dana's Compositions
by Dana on 07.19.08 - public - 135 visits
ok...So he was looked at by three different specialists. and they all agree his does not fall on the spectrum of autism HOWEVER they all feel he does have an anxiety disorder...they gave me numbers of child psychologists...and also said they are positive he has selective mutism...which when they explained what that is it does answer the questions as to why he can talk at home...sometimes he is hard to understand...but that could be the fluid in his ears...but he is more talkative at home....but on new social situations like his prechool where he has gone for over 6 months and hasn't said one word....and today at the eval the only word he uttered was none other than horse..lolololololol.....he would look at me and smile real big with a toy in his hand but he said nothing....and she said the lining up of toys all the time and the fascinations with lines could be his way of feeling more organized and in control ....she said his mind is VERY mechanical.lol..he wants to take they toys apart to see how they work instead of play with them. she said he did things with the toys today that she cant remember any other kid doing..lolol..but she said that his understanding of what is being said to him is way above age level....his expressive abilities are severely lacking though...like she laid out 4 cards and asked him where so and so was and he got it every time...then she laid one card out at a time and asked him Silas what do we use an umbrella for...and he made a fist and held it above his head and waved it around...LOL...but would not/could not say to keep the rain off..lol..and he has ALLOT of trouble with abstract questions/thinking..like "Silas what do you do when your thirsty" or "Silas what did you do at school today" i aske him every time he gets off the bus and he can never answer me......she said there are allot of areas of development that he is really lacking in. but there are some areas he is above age level...that was FANTASTIC news..i am used to hearing below age level..lol...she said that he talks to you with his eyes...she was playing around and joking and he let you know he knew not with words but with his eyes..LOL....so i guess that's it for now...now i have to see if i can find a good psychologist in the area.thanks for listening!
Comments(10)
4muskateers
Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2008
Honey, for the anxiety, you can purchase Ex-Stress capsules...they are all natural, and I told one other parent here about them and now I read that she really uses them alot...I believe I have them posted on the Natural healing of the Gut group or How the body works group...If you want to stay away from the Rx drugs check out these groups...we are an Rx free family.
LisaAKAmom
Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2008
Listen to your mommy instincts...if you dont think the answer fits your child...then continue searching. I too know what its like to have a child that doesnt fit in the box....and I sympathise with the frustration and the need for answers. I sometimes think, trying to get the answers is the hardest part of things at times.
dailyblessings
Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2008
Depite the questioning of the the spectrum label my concern is that you said he speaks at home but "sometimes he is hard to understand...but that could be the fluid in his ears..." this is an issue that needs to be addressed (which I am positive you know that) for he will only further w/drawl if "talking is hard" and "no one understands you"! Must feel "Why put yourself out there??" I would strongly encourage you to look at Nancy Kauffman's work on "apraxia". She had cards that help children with this. You are also saying some key words that I have said about my own son and have heard from my clients whose children are apraxic and done well with htis approach. It is an effective treatment that many speech pathologists are aware of. If you empower him he might be willing to put himself out there to people he does not know;) Good luck-drop me a note if you want more info!
shannonj
Posted on Sun, 20 Jul 2008
Wow--so much to process. Sounds like Silas is so bright and aware and the fact that he is communicating with his eyes is wonderful and means he is available to learn--which is where it all begins. Regardless of what diagnosis he receives, it is important to recognize Silas for who is he. Teach to his strengths, support his deficits, and have lots of hope. In a way, an autism diagnosis can be a curse if you are in a school district where they treat all kids with the same diagnosis with the same type of teaching techniques (usually ABA)---and just because kids have an autism diagnosis doesn't mean they will respond well to the same protocol as anyone else on the spectrum. On the other hand, an autism diagnosis will get you more services in school/preschool and that can be a real bonus--especially if your child needs an ed-tech or specialized teaching....Just keep your eye on your kid, his unique abilities and his wonderful future.
Mrs.H.
Posted on Sun, 20 Jul 2008
The thing about any diagnosis at early ages/stages is that there is so much variability in each child's unique development. It's kind of like, "The proof is in the pudding" approach to life. I agree that you work with Silas from his strengths and abilities. Treating the anxiety will be helpful, and that may address the selective mutism - or not. There are so many different, valid forms of communication. Again, development plays such a huge part. Lastly, I have had many students who have come to me with a variety of diagnosis. For some, it takes quite a long time to come to any sort of conclusive diagnosis...sometimes, you just have to wait for the "pudding".
noaholiviaian
Posted on Sun, 20 Jul 2008
Oh, we are taking the wind out of your sails for sure! I am so, so sorry. My son was evaluated by 2 people (PhD and Developmental MD) at age 2 and both said 'not on the spectrum'. He was classified as having a *swiss cheese* of issues and we were sent on our way with recommendations of more speech (he was not talking; not selectively mute) and OT. Over the span of a year, he developed anxiety and didn't develop as fast as he should in other areas. He did get the ASD diagnosis at age 3.5 yrs. Regardless of what the diagnosis is or isn't, it is about how Silas functions. You continue to work on what works and attack the deficits to give him the best chance at an independent life. That is what we all do... Autism or no Autism. Many kids with the Autism Dx are extremely bright, but struggle in one area or more. Many are very alert and aware of their surroundings. My son is observant to a fault. They call is distractable in school! The eye contact you describe is encouraging. They interaction with the evaluator and the receptive lanugage is a huge plus. Now let's get that boy talking! I wish we could be more encouraging, but many of us have been in your shoes before. Of course, we don't know your child and we are putting some of our individual experiences in to your situation that are likely not accurate/fitting/relevant. I hope Silas continues to develop skills and reach milestones! ~Hugs~ Pam
Motherof4
Posted on Sun, 20 Jul 2008
Well, it sounds like there's a lot of hope for Silas. Even with a diagnosis like selective mutism, he should be eligible for speech pathology, which he'll need whether he has autism, really, or not.
frogfoot1969
Posted on Sat, 19 Jul 2008
What kind of doctors have evaled him? I was told my child was too engaging, had too good of eye contact and to social, by our pediatrician, our geneticist and our neurologist. To later be diagnosed High Functioning Autism by a child psychologist and developmental ped. So don't get your hopes up to far that he isn't on the spectrum. Developmentally my son is 50% delayed but mentally he is two years ahead, so don't let that fool you. Sorry don't mean to be a downer. Good luck, Silas is such a sweetie on the videos you have posted.
Dana
Posted on Sat, 19 Jul 2008
they said they dont think he falls on the spectrum...because he is to "engaging" and "aware"....we do have a appointment for a second opinion in october...
4muskateers
Posted on Sat, 19 Jul 2008
you need a second opinion, I have seen this happen before...this person doesn't want to be the one to give the diagnosis, and if he has high function autism, they won't catch it until he is older or struggling in school. The news is great, but did she say where exactly he was on the spectrum?
