Need Help in Diagnosing Son with Autism

Hi L..

I feel for you! When my son was about a year and a half, he stopped answering us or responding to much of any interaction. His pediatrician told me I was self diagnosing him and that he was just behind. I can't explain it but I just knew that something else was going on. My son did not have all the traits of Autism but he had several. After a year of being told that I was expecting too much or that I was over analyzing him, he was diagnosed with Moderate Autism. I am so glad that the first speech therapist I took him to when he was 1 1/2 told me that he was acting like the Autistic kids she worked with. He is a different kid now. He still has issues but I believe with all of my heart that getting him therapies right off the bat was what made the difference!

I don't know where you are located but I am in Palm Coast and myself and some other parents have formed an Autism support group called FACES (Florida Autism Coalition for Education and Services). If you would like more information about us and our meetings, please let me know.

Please contact me if you need to talk. I felt so alone during that year of struggling to figure out what was stealing my son from me. I found myself convincing others that he was Autistic when no one in the world wanted him to be "normal" more than me! It was heartbreaking but we have come so far. Now I enjoy helping other parents through that tough time because I have been there and done that!

You're in my thoughts and prayers....

C.

____@____.com

I went through the same thing with my son who is now 8. Take him to his Dr. ask the Dr for a referral to a speech therapist. My son had sensory as well as speech. I took him 2x's a week to a Pediatric Therapy place and he had Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. He started in our local County school in an ESE program when he was 3 and also got therapy through the school. You can NEVER get him enough Therapy.When it was time for him to start Kindergarten at 5, he was mainstreamed into regular classes. He still gets speech therapy in school, though he still has a lisp with certain sounds, he is 100% understandable. You can also call you local school board and they will evaluate him as well for free as long as he's 3 or older. Like I said earlier...I went through the exact same thing as you with thinking he might be autistic, I even went as far as going to autistic support groups until his testing came back. It's amazing how much help you can get today for your child. If I can help you with any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

why don't you take hime to a pediatric neurologist for a diagnosis. nova university in davie has the bauduhin oral school or may be called something different now. in any case it is largely funded by the ex-miami dolphin dan marino as his son is autistic. they could probably help refer you to a neurologist. his name may me dr. kushner. anyhow, i hope this is helpful--J.

Hi
The first thing you need to do is have your son evaluated to make sure. Secondly, starting speech therapy will help alot. You can also call "Childfind" . Ask your peditrician for the phone number(I dont know it offhand). It is a free organization that will evaluate your son and get him the therapy he needs. In the meantime, you could have your son see a speech therapist just to begin learning language. It is so helpful and they learn alot.
Good Luck, Contact me if I can help you more, I truly understand
K.

Make and Appt with one of the Dr's @ the Dan Marino Center in Weston. It is the Autism center.

I am not sure what insurance you have but the 2 drs i would recommend is Dr. Diana Martinez and Dr. Heidi Toroscik (i do not remember if that is the correct spelling of her last name)

Dan Marino Center
2900 South Commerce Parkway
Weston, FL 33331
Phone: ###-###-####

If you have any questions just send me a message i use to work there.

L.,
I know how you feel. My son is almost 3 and he has a language delay as well. I took him twice to 2 different speech therapy places- first time when he was 18 mons and the second time when he was 2 and both times he like hated being forced to talk. The last therapist told me that he was CHOSING not to talk for whatever reason and that he was very aware of what she was trying to get him to do. So after a month at the last therapy place, I took him out because he was starting to talk (babble) at home less. It was like the therapy was making matters worse! I don't know if he's autistic or not (my pediatician says no) but the whole thing is very frustrating! My son is shy which I think contributes to the problem but I have him in "mommy and me" type classes which have helped him really come out of his shell and talk (babble) more. My fear is that his shyness and lack of speech gets mistaken for something worse than what it really is. Some kids just take longer. I don't know if that's a naive thing to say or what but because they don't talk much it's hard to know how much they really understand or what they think. I know I haven't given you any vital info but I felt I should at least email you to let you know you're not alone.

When did you and your husband first start talking? Have you made an appt. with a speech therapist? Have you tried teaching him different ways, the company I sell toys for does a lot of research for Autism and they are all educational toys. This may be a good guide for you. www.DiscoveryToysLink.com/LisaRyan and to flip through the catalog page by page and read all of their info go to www.DiscoveryToysInc.com Good Luck try not to stress, just kep trying to work with him. LisaM