Onset of autism symptoms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shame on all of you who don't advocate to your friends, family and inquisitive person about autism.

No one else will tell you this, but I will. As long as you vaccinate and use antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals that are chemical in nature, you run the risk of autism. I'd say that if you got through the first MMR just fine, your child will probably be OK. Many children regress after a set of vaccines. The MMR seems to be particularly nasty for regressions.

You wont get the full truth on THIS board about autism because there is a bunch of denial here. If you seek out the autism boards on Yahoo, you'll get a better and broader version of the truth.

So its our fault. Lovely. And to bring this full circle to OP's question, my ds showed signs before any vaccinations, from the get-go. It wasn't vaccines and it wasn't antibiotics and we know this for a fact. he was born this way.

Also, go to Hell.

As I said...DENIAL runs rampant here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, sorry some PPs jumped on you. They shouldn't have, but being a SN parent can be tough. Very tough.

My DS was 3.5 before he was diagnosed ASD (PDD-NOS). His symptoms showed up around 3. The Docs at KKI said kids like him (very high functioning) are often not diagnosed until 7-10 years old. They can be mistaken for "boys being boys".

But DS is doing great so far with intervention. But we're broke!

OP here. I do recognize how extraordinarily challenging it can to be a SN parent, and because I do, I have continued to read the responses. Thanks to all of you who answered with understanding and/or information.

PP, your case sounds most like ours. Thank you for taking the time to respond. The fact is that my child also does have some behavioral patterns that mirror his cousins', but could be high-functioning. I will continue to watch and be aggresive with his pediatrician -- or look for another. If you have any recommendations, I would be very grateful to hear them.

[Anonymous]

Can we please keep the vaccine debate out of this post? It's not at all what the OP was soliciting, and if we want to debate whether or not vaccines and antibiotics cause autism again, then let's do it in another post.

OP, you sound like you are on the right track with your pediatrician. FWIW, I'm not offended by your question, but I can see why others might be. I don't think it excuses some of the vehement responses you've received, though.

[Anonymous]

There is a book by Stanley Greenspan with "building healthy brains" somewhere in the title. Go read it, OP, and it will give you something to focus your efforts on. Even if your child is not at risk of anything, it will simply help you be a better, more responsive parent

[Anonymous]

Yes, on DCUM some people are always offended by something, but there seems to be a general consensus here on Special Needs that (1) this is a caring and accepting forum that does not follow the DCUM trend; (2) these posts offend a lot of Special Needs parents. Given that fact, why do they keep popping up?

PP, you and I will never agree about this, BUT ... it's unclear to me why in a "caring and accepting forum," OP can't ask a simple question. It has offended some, but not all, and even if it's offended " a lot" as you suggest, you don't get to silence OP which is definitely what you're attempting to do.

Etiquette, like everything else is in the eye of the beholder. But in this case it would seem to me that you could listen politely and if you have nothing constructive to contribute, remain silent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, on DCUM some people are always offended by something, but there seems to be a general consensus here on Special Needs that (1) this is a caring and accepting forum that does not follow the DCUM trend; (2) these posts offend a lot of Special Needs parents. Given that fact, why do they keep popping up?

PP, you and I will never agree about this, BUT ... it's unclear to me why in a "caring and accepting forum," OP can't ask a simple question. It has offended some, but not all, and even if it's offended " a lot" as you suggest, you don't get to silence OP which is definitely what you're attempting to do.

Etiquette, like everything else is in the eye of the beholder. But in this case it would seem to me that you could listen politely and if you have nothing constructive to contribute, remain silent.

Is that what you have done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a nephew and a niece with autism. I also have a highly verbal, sociable, physically dexterous 25 month old. Because of the family history, I have been watching my son closely for symptoms.

Is there any point at which I can consider him "out of the woods" with regard to autism? I've heard about regression in toddlers, so is it too soon to exhale?

With sincere apologies if this seems insensitive to the parent of children with autism.

As a parent of an autistic child, you are not being insensitive. I think some people get so wrapped up in their own problems that they can't remember what is was like to wonder if their child had autism. You are doing the right thing, and I don't have an answer for you, but I would think by 25 months old you would be pretty sure. My son started showing symptoms at 18 months. But he stopped progressing at 12 months. So somewhere in between. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If I asked "Onset of asthma symptoms?" no one would bat an eye...but ask about autism and you get flamed?! There is some SERIOUS healing that needs to happen for most of you...don't YOU remember how scary it was? The assurance and advice you craved? Well, Op wants the same thing...and she is asking YOU, the experts, based on your experience...she isn't being offensive, she is being a vulnerable, scared mother to a bright little boy who has relatives with autism. I think she is justified in her concern and so what, she needs some reassurance? That doesn't make her worthy of your insults. Stop projecting your anger at her...and get some professional help. Your child/family are surely feeling your caregiver role strain...so selfish to act this way...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I asked "Onset of asthma symptoms?" no one would bat an eye...but ask about autism and you get flamed?! There is some SERIOUS healing that needs to happen for most of you...don't YOU remember how scary it was? The assurance and advice you craved? Well, Op wants the same thing...and she is asking YOU, the experts, based on your experience...she isn't being offensive, she is being a vulnerable, scared mother to a bright little boy who has relatives with autism. I think she is justified in her concern and so what, she needs some reassurance? That doesn't make her worthy of your insults. Stop projecting your anger at her...and get some professional help. Your child/family are surely feeling your caregiver role strain...so selfish to act this way...

I don't know if this is exactly true. I had cancer and I can't tell you how many people have quizzed me about family history and risk factors, in other words please tell me why I am not like you, you poor sucker with cancer. It feels really bad to be on the receiving end of this. I think many of the responses here have been too nasty and I am uncomfortable with the tone, but I agree with the sentiment. We aren't experts, any more than I'm an expert about cancer. If you are concerned about cancer, talk to your doctor, don't use me to prove to yourself you are the lucky one. And if you are concerned that your child has autism, talk to your pediatrician. Don't use me as your measuring stick, don't use me to reassure yourself.

I'm not angry. My DS is doing so well and I am so proud of him. And I'm not feeling any strain right now. You really don't need to psychoanalyze me. I see things differently than you, thats all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I asked "Onset of asthma symptoms?" no one would bat an eye...but ask about autism and you get flamed?! There is some SERIOUS healing that needs to happen for most of you...don't YOU remember how scary it was? The assurance and advice you craved? Well, Op wants the same thing...and she is asking YOU, the experts, based on your experience...she isn't being offensive, she is being a vulnerable, scared mother to a bright little boy who has relatives with autism. I think she is justified in her concern and so what, she needs some reassurance? That doesn't make her worthy of your insults. Stop projecting your anger at her...and get some professional help. Your child/family are surely feeling your caregiver role strain...so selfish to act this way...

I don't know if this is exactly true. I had cancer and I can't tell you how many people have quizzed me about family history and risk factors, in other words please tell me why I am not like you, you poor sucker with cancer. It feels really bad to be on the receiving end of this. I think many of the responses here have been too nasty and I am uncomfortable with the tone, but I agree with the sentiment. We aren't experts, any more than I'm an expert about cancer. If you are concerned about cancer, talk to your doctor, don't use me to prove to yourself you are the lucky one. And if you are concerned that your child has autism, talk to your pediatrician. Don't use me as your measuring stick, don't use me to reassure yourself.

I'm not angry. My DS is doing so well and I am so proud of him. And I'm not feeling any strain right now. You really don't need to psychoanalyze me. I see things differently than you, thats all.

Concerning autism....that isn't so easy since doctors readily admit that they got no effing clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, on DCUM some people are always offended by something, but there seems to be a general consensus here on Special Needs that (1) this is a caring and accepting forum that does not follow the DCUM trend; (2) these posts offend a lot of Special Needs parents. Given that fact, why do they keep popping up?

PP, you and I will never agree about this, BUT ... it's unclear to me why in a "caring and accepting forum," OP can't ask a simple question. It has offended some, but not all, and even if it's offended " a lot" as you suggest, you don't get to silence OP which is definitely what you're attempting to do.

Etiquette, like everything else is in the eye of the beholder. But in this case it would seem to me that you could listen politely and if you have nothing constructive to contribute, remain silent.

Is that what you have done?

By trying to create some space for a concerned parent seeking answers? Absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I asked "Onset of asthma symptoms?" no one would bat an eye...but ask about autism and you get flamed?! There is some SERIOUS healing that needs to happen for most of you...don't YOU remember how scary it was? The assurance and advice you craved? Well, Op wants the same thing...and she is asking YOU, the experts, based on your experience...she isn't being offensive, she is being a vulnerable, scared mother to a bright little boy who has relatives with autism. I think she is justified in her concern and so what, she needs some reassurance? That doesn't make her worthy of your insults. Stop projecting your anger at her...and get some professional help. Your child/family are surely feeling your caregiver role strain...so selfish to act this way...

I don't know if this is exactly true. I had cancer and I can't tell you how many people have quizzed me about family history and risk factors, in other words please tell me why I am not like you, you poor sucker with cancer. It feels really bad to be on the receiving end of this. I think many of the responses here have been too nasty and I am uncomfortable with the tone, but I agree with the sentiment. We aren't experts, any more than I'm an expert about cancer. If you are concerned about cancer, talk to your doctor, don't use me to prove to yourself you are the lucky one. And if you are concerned that your child has autism, talk to your pediatrician. Don't use me as your measuring stick, don't use me to reassure yourself.

I'm not angry. My DS is doing so well and I am so proud of him. And I'm not feeling any strain right now. You really don't need to psychoanalyze me. I see things differently than you, thats all.

You may not be angry or feel strain but you sure sound bitter and without reserve to assist or have compassion for someone who's reaching out. As little as you seem to think you know about cancer, I'm sure you know a lot more than those who have not had it. I've certainly learned a lot from my co-worker who is a young breast cancer survivor and I know others who have benefited from my experiences with my kids. I'm not a medical professional but I do have expertise as do the other parents I know with ASD kids. I'm sorry your life experience has left you unwilling or unable to share what you know with someone who has asked.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who meets me for more than two seconds knows I'm not bitter. I sure hope you didn't grill your co-worker about why she got it to determine why you are safe. Trust me, we don't like that.

I reach out to people with my cancer all the time, as well as parents of kids with ASDs. I'm known for giving this kind of support. But I don't care for taking time and energy to reassure people that they aren't me. This is precisely because I am not unhappy with my life and I don't care to be used as some kind of cautionary tale.

I don't think you get it. But I have not called you names or tried to characterize you, and you only undermine your point when you do so to me.

[Anonymous]

Look genetics matters for better or worse ADHD, Autism Spectrum issues, anxiety, depression all this stuff comes from somewhere and often times if we look closely we see it in our own parents or an uncle, grandmother etc. To deny that this does not create anxiety is to not live in the real world. I think the OP has a valid question unfortunately does not really have an answer as issues of high functioning autism are often missed beyond toddlerhood. Why not be honest instead of taking offense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look genetics matters for better or worse ADHD, Autism Spectrum issues, anxiety, depression all this stuff comes from somewhere and often times if we look closely we see it in our own parents or an uncle, grandmother etc. To deny that this does not create anxiety is to not live in the real world. I think the OP has a valid question unfortunately does not really have an answer as issues of high functioning autism are often missed beyond toddlerhood. Why not be honest instead of taking offense?

Even the stupidest of doctors can agree that there is no such thing as a "genetic epidemic". Can you remember when you were young what the special education classes looked like? They were mostly filled with kids with more or less "bad table manners". Today we can fill an entire classroom with nonverbal boys. And do you ever wonder why there are more boys affected than girls?.....estrogen. Estrogen protects the brain from environmental toxins. It's about as genetic as a hand coming out of your forehead.