What to do if you suspect an autism spectrum disorder in your child

[BC-momla]

Another pinned one.

As a mom who became concerned about her child having an autism spectrum disorder in early toddlerhood here is what I would suggest to a person who is suspecting this type of concern with their child. Others probably will have things to add as I will probably forget something.

1. Call your state's early intervention program if your child is under 3 years old. Your pediatrician's office should have this number. If your child is over 3 years old, contact your local school district's early childhood center. Request a speech eval, an occupational therapy eval, a physical therapy eval if you think motor skills are a problem, and a child development eval if that is available.

2. Schedule a hearing evaluation and, if not current, a general medical exam of your child.

3. If any concerns, have their vision checked by a pediatric ophthomologist.

4. Call and get an appointment with someone who does autism evaluations such as a developmental pediatrician, pediatric psychologist, pediatric neurologist. Sometimes the state early intervention program will provide someone who will do an evaluation. Waits for appointments can be lengthy (up to like 9+ mos I've heard). Emphasize that you can drop everything and take a cancellation appointment at the last minute. Call frequently to remind them of this. Ask around. You want a complete and thorough evaluation of your child. Contact a local autism support group for recommendations of dr's that other families hve used.

5. Get started in therapy (speech, occupational therapy, physical if necessary, play based child development therapy, etc.) as soon as possible even before any appointments. You can always drop unnecessary therapies later but give your child any edge you can.

6. Post on fertile thoughts for support!!

7. Read the following book: The Out of Sync Child. I personally think this is the BEST first book and won't overwhelm you with a bunch of stuff you aren't ready for. The second book I would read is The Special Needs Child by Stanley Greenspan. It will teach you HOW to play with your child to maximize their potential and this will be forever invaluable.

Any other things ladies??

[sista]

I don't really have much more to add, Carla really gave some great tips.

The number one thing that will always stick in my head is to go with those mommy instincts and if you suspect something isn't right, keep pushing until you get the help and answers you need. Tons of precious time can be wasted if your concerns are blown off or if you are waiting for appointments - the sooner you get your child help, the better off he/she will be.

[Terry]

Originally posted by momla
4. Call and get an appointment with someone who does autism evaluations such as a developmental pediatrician, pediatric psychologist, pediatric neurologist. Sometimes the state early intervention program will provide someone who will do an evaluation. Waits for appointments can be lengthy (up to like 9+ mos I've heard). Emphasize that you can drop everything and take a cancellation appointment at the last minute. Call frequently to remind them of this. Ask around. You want a complete and thorough evaluation of your child. Contact a local autism support group for recommendations of dr's that other families hve used. [/B]

Do this as soon as you can.... Don't be shocked at a waiting list. I've encountering wait lists as long as 9-12mths.... But by following the advice momla posted.. I got my 2nd son in 8mths sooner than his scheduled appt that was 1year out from the time I made it. I let the doctor's office know that I carried all needed paperwork w/me at all times and all I needed was 2hrs notice... 1 hr to get home and 1/2hr to pick the child at daycare and get to her office.

Also don't feel you need to wait if your child is close to 3. I called EI when my boys were 2yr8mths. We got an eval and 2mths of services from EI before they rolled off to the school district.. and EI helped w/the transition.

[Cathy]

www.childrenofdestiny.org

This website above has given me so much hope. The power of prayer is unequalled!

[BC-NanceLee]

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/...eThompson.html

[txmom3]

Not sure where to begin. This is my first time on the website. I have heard about it for two years, but have never participated.

Curious to know what others know about Asperger's. My eldest son, who is 9.5 yrs, might have it. His fourth grade teacher thinks he is at the high functioning level of this and that is why it hasn't been dx any earlier. Has anyone else had a child dx as late as this? If so, what made you suspect it?

My son seems to be a "normal" kid. However, he does act as if he is 40 yrs old and not 9 yrs old. His vocab is quite high, but lacks reading comprehension. He would rather converse with adults than his own peers. He lacks social skills, in that, he has no buddies in class. I have always joked about him having OCD. He is particular about clothing, food texture as well as things he touches, and is orderly with markers, etc.

Reading the website metioned in a posting above, it sounds so much like my son, but I am not sure. The school wants to test him for learning disabilities, but they say it would be for Asperger's. I already know that it is not ADD because he was tested last year at the Child Study Center. But wouldn't CSS dx if he had Asperger's??? I don't know where to go from here for concrete answers.

Thank you for your time.

Shauna
Mom of 3 in Texas

[Terry]

txmom3....I have some link info for you. I'll be back later to post it.

[Terry]

Nancelee mentioned the OASIS site.... Here's our local support group, I set up the site so I think I have links....

http://www.seas-pa.org

I just met someone at our support group whose son was dx at 8 or 9. Many of the older kids in our group were dx as ADD or ADHD and later dx as Aspergers..

[Lori]

Check out this URL:
http://www.neurotransmitter.net/autismscales.html
It has a ton of assessments you can do at home on your child and take to a specialist (several are FREE)

I do speech therapy in Early Intervention. I see many kids on the spectrum, as well as kids with sensory processing problems who are not autistic.

I will be glad to answer questions. The first response was very thorough.

I always suggest that parents contact their local autism society chapter, because they are an excellent source of information. They usually know the doctors and therapists who are preferred by families with spectrum kids.

My email is Nathanzmom@yahoo.com.

Jen L.