Anyone BTDT? Autism/Not-Autism? Starting Kindergarten Next Year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sort of in your shoes, OP. Who made the autism diagnosis?

Our preschool's therapist thought our son had ASD at 2 but we pursued an eval from an excellent Autism Center, and they did not think he was autistic. A lot of his autism-like behaviors were social anxiety-based.

We placed him in private speech therapy and an excellent preschool that would help him with small group play, and he is doing great (also 4.5). We are sending him to a private K next year. We shall see.

Ours has caught up on speech but we are keeping him in therapy to make sure all his sounds develop properly and because his therapist is so good with helping reduce his anxiety (because he can express himself). That is what the Director of the Autism Center suggested.

I would probably switch to the private and supplement with speech if there is any reason at all to do so. Good luck, it is stressful trying to make the right choice.

OP here.

A nurse practitioner at Nemours DuPont made the original diagnosis. She used mostly data from his IEP and my responses to questions to make the diagnosis. When I asked her about re-evaluating, she is the one that referred me to a developmental psychologist.

My son also has an educational diagnosis of autism through the school district which allows him to qualify for services. Just based on his delays at this point, he would probably no longer qualify. Our service coordinator made it pretty clear that we should not ask to reevaluate his educational diagnosis if we still wanted our speech therapy through them.

Thank you for the good luck wishes! I never realized how stressful making these decisions would be.

This is not a robust diagnosis. A true autism diagnosis is done by a team of people over several days. You need a differential diagnosis, one that takes into account your child's language delays, which mimic autism at young ages.

[Anonymous]

Will I get a differential diagnosis from a developmental psychologist? We're going in for a consult next week. They said they would then determine what further appointments we'd need. Does that sound right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will I get a differential diagnosis from a developmental psychologist? We're going in for a consult next week. They said they would then determine what further appointments we'd need. Does that sound right?

Given your child's history, I'd expect an SLP to be involved in the diagnosis. This website might be useful: http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/autism-integrated-care-program/your-childs-experience

With the hearing loss, your child has a clinically complex case, so I would not accept having just one professional involved.

[Anonymous]

The first thing I would do is not tell the person doing the tasing that he has a previous ASD diagnosis. If you truly want fresh eyes, the only way to get it (really) is if the person has no preconceived notions about your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The first thing I would do is not tell the person doing the tasing that he has a previous ASD diagnosis. If you truly want fresh eyes, the only way to get it (really) is if the person has no preconceived notions about your kid.

Unfortunately, I think she has access to all his records because she's affiliated with the same hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will I get a differential diagnosis from a developmental psychologist? We're going in for a consult next week. They said they would then determine what further appointments we'd need. Does that sound right?

Given your child's history, I'd expect an SLP to be involved in the diagnosis. This website might be useful: http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/autism-integrated-care-program/your-childs-experience

With the hearing loss, your child has a clinically complex case, so I would not accept having just one professional involved.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

NP here.

Are there any signs, right now, that make you think he would receive an ASD diagnosis if tested by someone else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

I'm just looking to hear from any parents that can relate to my current position and any advice/tips you'd suggest as we go through the process of figuring out where to place my son for Kindergarten next year. At 3 years old, my son had a significant speech delay (only occasionally combining two words) and was showing signs of autism (rigidity, meltdowns, and not really wanting to socialize or socialize appropriately with peers). He was diagnosed with ASD. Shortly after diagnosis, we discovered he had fluid in his ears which was affecting his hearing. After placing tubes, my son began to develop more speech.

At 4.5 years old, we finally got the speech explosion we were hoping for and this school year, we placed him in a reverse mainstream classroom (half typical kids, half kids with IEPs) where he is doing very well - making friends, initiating play, demonstrating empathy, following directions, engaging in circle time, demonstrating flexibility, etc. In other words, a lot of the signs of autism seem to have disappeared as my son's language has developed closer to typical levels. He still has some work to do on the language side of things but we no longer get any complaints about behavioral issues at school.

I've decided to take him in for a new autism evaluation with a developmental psychologist to see if she agrees with his current diagnosis. And I'm stressing about what to do about Kindergarten next year. I would like to see him mainstreamed and would prefer to send him to a small private school in our neighborhood but am concerned about how they would pre-judge him if they see the autism diagnosis.

Anyone been through anything similar?

It's a good thing you're going for a differential diagnosis privately. Schools don't diagnose--they give labels that approximate your kid's profile. What really matters are the services. You'll get a report from the person evaluating him. Regardless of his diagnosis, use the recommendations as the spring board for what an IEP would include.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

I'm just looking to hear from any parents that can relate to my current position and any advice/tips you'd suggest as we go through the process of figuring out where to place my son for Kindergarten next year. At 3 years old, my son had a significant speech delay (only occasionally combining two words) and was showing signs of autism (rigidity, meltdowns, and not really wanting to socialize or socialize appropriately with peers). He was diagnosed with ASD. Shortly after diagnosis, we discovered he had fluid in his ears which was affecting his hearing. After placing tubes, my son began to develop more speech.

At 4.5 years old, we finally got the speech explosion we were hoping for and this school year, we placed him in a reverse mainstream classroom (half typical kids, half kids with IEPs) where he is doing very well - making friends, initiating play, demonstrating empathy, following directions, engaging in circle time, demonstrating flexibility, etc. In other words, a lot of the signs of autism seem to have disappeared as my son's language has developed closer to typical levels. He still has some work to do on the language side of things but we no longer get any complaints about behavioral issues at school.

I've decided to take him in for a new autism evaluation with a developmental psychologist to see if she agrees with his current diagnosis. And I'm stressing about what to do about Kindergarten next year. I would like to see him mainstreamed and would prefer to send him to a small private school in our neighborhood but am concerned about how they would pre-judge him if they see the autism diagnosis.

Anyone been through anything similar?

It's a good thing you're going for a differential diagnosis privately. Schools don't diagnose--they give labels that approximate your kid's profile. What really matters are the services. You'll get a report from the person evaluating him. Regardless of his diagnosis, use the recommendations as the spring board for what an IEP would include.

This is misleading. I know of very few kids who the school has labeled as autistic who aren't considered to be medically autistic as well, even if they have not been diagnosed by a doctor. Everyone assumes the school psycho can make the call.

And once a school has decided your child is autistic, that colors their view of a language delayed child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

I'm just looking to hear from any parents that can relate to my current position and any advice/tips you'd suggest as we go through the process of figuring out where to place my son for Kindergarten next year. At 3 years old, my son had a significant speech delay (only occasionally combining two words) and was showing signs of autism (rigidity, meltdowns, and not really wanting to socialize or socialize appropriately with peers). He was diagnosed with ASD. Shortly after diagnosis, we discovered he had fluid in his ears which was affecting his hearing. After placing tubes, my son began to develop more speech.

At 4.5 years old, we finally got the speech explosion we were hoping for and this school year, we placed him in a reverse mainstream classroom (half typical kids, half kids with IEPs) where he is doing very well - making friends, initiating play, demonstrating empathy, following directions, engaging in circle time, demonstrating flexibility, etc. In other words, a lot of the signs of autism seem to have disappeared as my son's language has developed closer to typical levels. He still has some work to do on the language side of things but we no longer get any complaints about behavioral issues at school.

I've decided to take him in for a new autism evaluation with a developmental psychologist to see if she agrees with his current diagnosis. And I'm stressing about what to do about Kindergarten next year. I would like to see him mainstreamed and would prefer to send him to a small private school in our neighborhood but am concerned about how they would pre-judge him if they see the autism diagnosis.

Anyone been through anything similar?

It's a good thing you're going for a differential diagnosis privately. Schools don't diagnose--they give labels that approximate your kid's profile. What really matters are the services. You'll get a report from the person evaluating him. Regardless of his diagnosis, use the recommendations as the spring board for what an IEP would include.

This is misleading. I know of very few kids who the school has labeled as autistic who aren't considered to be medically autistic as well, even if they have not been diagnosed by a doctor. Everyone assumes the school psycho can make the call.

And once a school has decided your child is autistic, that colors their view of a language delayed child.

IEP laws weren't written on the handful of children you know:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/iep_guidance.html

2-3 kids in a 1,000 have cp-- show me the IEP label that reflects that.
15-20% of all children have a language based learning disability--where is their specific code?

Op, the IEP categories were devised 40 years ago--they are very generic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I don't know that the school would judge him for his diagnosis. I'm concerned that they might.

Does anyone have a kid whose symptoms mostly disappeared? Did you get a new diagnosis or just keep ASD?

Happens all the time on the MERLD boards. I've met several of those kids -- when their language comes in, their "autism" goes away.

This is my kid.

OP, we did a small private for a few years and it was wonderful. They had about 10 kids in a classroom and were very structured and had strict routines so he could easily learn them and follow. They were very warm and kind to him and gave him the extra support he needed. He thrived there and then successfully transferred to public. If you can afford it for a few years and the private is ok with it, I'd try private. They allowed my son to do a 1/2 day after we looked at the school and he loved it and didn't want to leave. They were ok with the delays and his needs and never once complained about his extra needs. It was the best thing we ever did for him.

My kid is a MERLD kid but now his receptive is mostly caught up so the school only has him coded as expressive (there are still minor receptive issues but he's mostly learned to compensate). It absolutely can happen and from what I've seen its more between 7-10 vs. 4-6 if is on the more severe side.

Your child has a higher likelihood to catch up as they know the cause, which was an issue with his ears vs an unknown cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

I'm just looking to hear from any parents that can relate to my current position and any advice/tips you'd suggest as we go through the process of figuring out where to place my son for Kindergarten next year. At 3 years old, my son had a significant speech delay (only occasionally combining two words) and was showing signs of autism (rigidity, meltdowns, and not really wanting to socialize or socialize appropriately with peers). He was diagnosed with ASD. Shortly after diagnosis, we discovered he had fluid in his ears which was affecting his hearing. After placing tubes, my son began to develop more speech.

At 4.5 years old, we finally got the speech explosion we were hoping for and this school year, we placed him in a reverse mainstream classroom (half typical kids, half kids with IEPs) where he is doing very well - making friends, initiating play, demonstrating empathy, following directions, engaging in circle time, demonstrating flexibility, etc. In other words, a lot of the signs of autism seem to have disappeared as my son's language has developed closer to typical levels. He still has some work to do on the language side of things but we no longer get any complaints about behavioral issues at school.

I've decided to take him in for a new autism evaluation with a developmental psychologist to see if she agrees with his current diagnosis. And I'm stressing about what to do about Kindergarten next year. I would like to see him mainstreamed and would prefer to send him to a small private school in our neighborhood but am concerned about how they would pre-judge him if they see the autism diagnosis.

Anyone been through anything similar?

It's a good thing you're going for a differential diagnosis privately. Schools don't diagnose--they give labels that approximate your kid's profile. What really matters are the services. You'll get a report from the person evaluating him. Regardless of his diagnosis, use the recommendations as the spring board for what an IEP would include.

This is misleading. I know of very few kids who the school has labeled as autistic who aren't considered to be medically autistic as well, even if they have not been diagnosed by a doctor. Everyone assumes the school psycho can make the call.

And once a school has decided your child is autistic, that colors their view of a language delayed child.

IEP laws weren't written on the handful of children you know:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/iep_guidance.html

2-3 kids in a 1,000 have cp-- show me the IEP label that reflects that.
15-20% of all children have a language based learning disability--where is their specific code?

Op, the IEP categories were devised 40 years ago--they are very generic.

Once its written anywhere your child has autism, it follows the child. My child is under a language disorder code. That's it. This is good advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will I get a differential diagnosis from a developmental psychologist? We're going in for a consult next week. They said they would then determine what further appointments we'd need. Does that sound right?

I would be concerned how well does this person understand language disorders especially given the medical piece. I would just do speech therapy a few times a week vs. wasting the money on an evaluation and evaluating again before K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I don't know that the school would judge him for his diagnosis. I'm concerned that they might.

Does anyone have a kid whose symptoms mostly disappeared? Did you get a new diagnosis or just keep ASD?

Happens all the time on the MERLD boards. I've met several of those kids -- when their language comes in, their "autism" goes away.

This is my kid.

OP, we did a small private for a few years and it was wonderful. They had about 10 kids in a classroom and were very structured and had strict routines so he could easily learn them and follow. They were very warm and kind to him and gave him the extra support he needed. He thrived there and then successfully transferred to public. If you can afford it for a few years and the private is ok with it, I'd try private. They allowed my son to do a 1/2 day after we looked at the school and he loved it and didn't want to leave. They were ok with the delays and his needs and never once complained about his extra needs. It was the best thing we ever did for him.

My kid is a MERLD kid but now his receptive is mostly caught up so the school only has him coded as expressive (there are still minor receptive issues but he's mostly learned to compensate). It absolutely can happen and from what I've seen its more between 7-10 vs. 4-6 if is on the more severe side.

Your child has a higher likelihood to catch up as they know the cause, which was an issue with his ears vs an unknown cause.

Op, please take information with a grain of salt. Past preschool do not get diagnoses of MERLD.

Receptive skills can improve but please don't be so gullible to believe that they grow in like teeth. The chronic fluid even though corrected puts your kid more at risk for language based LDs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK356270/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, I don't know that the school would judge him for his diagnosis. I'm concerned that they might.

Does anyone have a kid whose symptoms mostly disappeared? Did you get a new diagnosis or just keep ASD?

Happens all the time on the MERLD boards. I've met several of those kids -- when their language comes in, their "autism" goes away.

This is my kid.

OP, we did a small private for a few years and it was wonderful. They had about 10 kids in a classroom and were very structured and had strict routines so he could easily learn them and follow. They were very warm and kind to him and gave him the extra support he needed. He thrived there and then successfully transferred to public. If you can afford it for a few years and the private is ok with it, I'd try private. They allowed my son to do a 1/2 day after we looked at the school and he loved it and didn't want to leave. They were ok with the delays and his needs and never once complained about his extra needs. It was the best thing we ever did for him.

My kid is a MERLD kid but now his receptive is mostly caught up so the school only has him coded as expressive (there are still minor receptive issues but he's mostly learned to compensate). It absolutely can happen and from what I've seen its more between 7-10 vs. 4-6 if is on the more severe side.

Your child has a higher likelihood to catch up as they know the cause, which was an issue with his ears vs an unknown cause.

Op, please take information with a grain of salt. Past preschool do not get diagnoses of MERLD.

Receptive skills can improve but please don't be so gullible to believe that they grow in like teeth. The chronic fluid even though corrected puts your kid more at risk for language based LDs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK356270/

You can get a diagnosis of a language disorder with expressive and receptive. However, at some point when they are testing at a specific level, one or both can be dropped. My child's receptive diagnosis has been dropped. The school system refuses to even recognize it at an issue.

If the cause is due to ears, its very different often than a child with unknown cause. Once the ears are treated, children can catch up quickly. They are very different.