What Is Wrong with My Child?

E.,

Just warm hugs headed your way and prayers. I know this is hard on you but you will get through it. I can tell you I saw Jenny McCarthy interviewed about her son who is autistic - and he actually is now on a modified diet and he has "come back" to her. He remebers when he was "shy" and didn't talk to people! It was a very hopeful story that I think you should look into for some support, guidance and knowledge. I know that there is much more for you to do - but this is all I know!

Good luck - if you need any shoulders - you have them here in Mamasource Moms!

There is a charitable org in Dallas named "Special Care and Career Services." That org has a mission of assisting all people with special needs either before or after those people are able to be assisted by the public school system. You can google them for a web page. That org can help with advice, guidance, putting you together with support groups, and can even be an advocate for testing etc. It would be a good idea to contact that group to see if there is any assistance available, besides getting the other referrals suggested in these responses. I highly recommend that you find a local autism support group and at least attend some meetings to see if other parents can give you some support and information - you may find that your child is not autistic, but I would venture a guess that many in the support group have gone through the same steps you are now, and it may be comforting just to hear from them. At any rate, she is a special gift from God and she will do as well as God plans for her. Often moms do have to be the strong ones when it comes to problems with our children; that's part of our make-up. Not always, but often. take care of yourself, too.

First off, I want to commend you for recognizing that there may be a problem and taking those first steps to get your daughter the help she needs.

My first son is not "normal" although they tell us that he is not on the spectrum. He never played with toys. He was interested in doors, light switches and then by the time he was 2 it was electronics (DVD's, CD's, etc). He carried around CD's like other children carry around a stuffed animal. He also didn't interact with the other children in an age appropriate manner.

We started his testing when he was 3, so we missed the cut-off for ECI. We have used ECI for our younger son (just has a speech articulation problem). I would say they are a good place to start, but I think that it should be supplemented for more severe cases. Of all the places that we went to (school district, Our Children's House, neurologist and developmental pediatrician) Our Children's House at Baylor gave us the most answers and were most proactive in setting up a plan to help our son. I cried the day OCH gave us the results of his evaluation. Not because I was sad, but I was relieved b/c I knew he could finally get the help he needed. Ask, no tell, your pediatrician that you want a referral for a complete evaluation (they must have one to do an evaluation). They did a great job of recognizing and labeling my son's problems and providing therapy for those problems. Also, once we started therapy I met lots of moms going through simular problems in the waiting area. They were great at giving advice and recommending programs to try and not to try.

I know what you are going through and I can tell you it's not easy. We still struggle (our son is 5) with what to do for him. Those decisions that are so easy for moms with normal kids (school, activities, etc) are more complicated. That being said, there is not greater joy than to see your child advance and respond to the therapy. For example, my son would NOT color, draw, etc. In his Pre-K class last year the teacher would have to stay on him just to make a few marks on his paper. This year he has started drawing stick figures and writing his name without help. It is the most beautiful thing in the world to me!!

I pray that you get the help you need for your daughter. Always go with your gut, do NOT let others (your ped included) try to sway you away from what you know and feel.

Dear E.:

All I can suggest is to talk to her peditrician for a referral. He/she may be able to help. I have known a couple of families with autistic children, and while it could be frustrating and scary, they did have enjoyment and saw encouraging development in their child.

Perhaps you can contact this friend and tell her what you have told us. She may be missing you and want to resume the relationship too. Understandably you sound like you need someone to listen to your concerns, frustrations and fears. My prayers are with you and wishing you and your little one the best.

T.

Contact ECI to do an assessment of her developmental areas. They will see if she is delayed in any area and if so, she will receive services in your home or wherever. At three, she will be transitioned to the school district if she continues to need services. I have seen huge progress made in these programs, so check it out.

ECI--early childhood intervention