Parents of ASD kids - can I relax once pointing starts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 16 month old doesn't point or wave. If my 10 month old did I would be as cool as a cucumber.

OP here. That's what I thought based on my experience with DS1. Don't get me wrong, it's a huge relief to see DS2 meet this milestone. But as you can see from PPs, there are no guarantees. I hope your DC does well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question, my 19 month old DS (born at 34 weeks 5 days, spent 11 in nicu) does not point, or wave and only says "uh oh". At 18 month appointment, pediatrician recommended that I get intervention evaluation. I called them (in VA), and they said because DS was born early, I should wait for until he is 21 months for an evaluation if he is still not pointing or words have not increased. Should I have pushed harder for an immediate eval? After reading this post, I am seriously concerned. Also he does not follow you pointing either. And he screams out a lot. A lot.

Yes. Call them again and insist on an evaluation, get a referral from the pediatrician if needed. It's so weird they'd pick 21 months out of a hat.

Agreed. don't let the state push you around on some random sounding BS, and get an eval as soon as possible. You have to remind them that they work for you, it is ridiculous you have to remind them of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 16 month old doesn't point or wave. If my 10 month old did I would be as cool as a cucumber.

OP here. That's what I thought based on my experience with DS1. Don't get me wrong, it's a huge relief to see DS2 meet this milestone. But as you can see from PPs, there are no guarantees. I hope your DC does well.

To OP - sorry you got slammed so hard here. I'm an experienced mom of an Aspergers child. She is now an adult so many of the services and testing available now did not exist when she was growing up. This forum didn't exist But because we were older, more experienced parents and had friends with autistic children we watched carefully. We started NT testing at age four (inconclusive, probably ADHD, high I.Q.) and followed up every three years. As is often the case with girls, we did not get the Aspergers (yes, now ASD) diagnosis until age 16 even though we were testing every three years and were even in a SN school for three years. No one mentioned the possibility. As a young child and adolescent she appeared completely normal, she just had great difficulty getting homework done. As an adult in a world of adult expectations, it is immediately apparent to anyone talking to DD that she is autistic (the eyes flit, the sentences are often incoherent, syllable use is odd, voice is a flat tone, she interrupts, laughs too loud, has difficulty making friends). Each child is different and develops differently. I can't "relax" because I doubt DD will ever be employable. If you had told me that at high school graduation I would have laughed. Changes will happen every year. I hope for you they are all positive and that DD continues to develop normally. But do continue to be observant, test every three years, and listen closely to what your child is communicating to you and friends. Fortunately, you have many more resources, testers, therapists and this forum to help you should you suspect something is awry. Parents of adults ASD kids didn't have such resources twenty years ago.

[Anonymous]

And I meant to wish you the best of luck! ^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I meant to wish you the best of luck! ^^

Thank you, PP! Best wishes to you and your daughter.

[Anonymous]

And to you too. Post back if you need further help. Usually posters here are very kind and canhelp you out if you find out that DC isn't hitting other milestones. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You ARE a parent of an ASD kid.

I know that, thanks. And if you are one, too, you know that "if you've seen an ASD kid, you've seen an ASD kid." Hence my question to other parents. I just wanted to see if any of them had an ASD kid who pointed and didn't have the typical red flags as a baby.

Then ASK that, OP. Don't present yourself as if you are stirring the shit pot and don't have a clue. Asking "can I relax once pointing starts" is Just. Plain. Weird. And offensive.

You're looking really hard for reasons to be offended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question, my 19 month old DS (born at 34 weeks 5 days, spent 11 in nicu) does not point, or wave and only says "uh oh". At 18 month appointment, pediatrician recommended that I get intervention evaluation. I called them (in VA), and they said because DS was born early, I should wait for until he is 21 months for an evaluation if he is still not pointing or words have not increased. Should I have pushed harder for an immediate eval? After reading this post, I am seriously concerned. Also he does not follow you pointing either. And he screams out a lot. A lot.

Yes. Call them again and insist on an evaluation, get a referral from the pediatrician if needed. It's so weird they'd pick 21 months out of a hat.

Agreed. don't let the state push you around on some random sounding BS, and get an eval as soon as possible. You have to remind them that they work for you, it is ridiculous you have to remind them of this.

So I called VA intervention services again and insisted on an immediate evaluation. It's scheduled for Friday. Can anyone offer any advice as to what to look for or make sure they look for? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question, my 19 month old DS (born at 34 weeks 5 days, spent 11 in nicu) does not point, or wave and only says "uh oh". At 18 month appointment, pediatrician recommended that I get intervention evaluation. I called them (in VA), and they said because DS was born early, I should wait for until he is 21 months for an evaluation if he is still not pointing or words have not increased. Should I have pushed harder for an immediate eval? After reading this post, I am seriously concerned. Also he does not follow you pointing either. And he screams out a lot. A lot.

Yes. Call them again and insist on an evaluation, get a referral from the pediatrician if needed. It's so weird they'd pick 21 months out of a hat.

Agreed. don't let the state push you around on some random sounding BS, and get an eval as soon as possible. You have to remind them that they work for you, it is ridiculous you have to remind them of this.

So I called VA intervention services again and insisted on an immediate evaluation. It's scheduled for Friday. Can anyone offer any advice as to what to look for or make sure they look for? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

OP here. When DS1 was evaluated, I didn't have to ask them to look for anything. I remember the evaluation being a combo of direct testing and parent questionnaire; I didn't feel at all that they were trying to get away with not providing services. I'd suggest looking up an early childhood development chart or printing the CDC milestone chart http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/downloads.html , and marking all the ones your DC hasn't yet reached. If you're concerned abut ASD, I'd ask specifically if they do the M-CHAT.
You might also get more responses if you start your own thread (although I don't at all mind that you posted here.) Maybe a VA resident can give you more specific advice.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question, my 19 month old DS (born at 34 weeks 5 days, spent 11 in nicu) does not point, or wave and only says "uh oh". At 18 month appointment, pediatrician recommended that I get intervention evaluation. I called them (in VA), and they said because DS was born early, I should wait for until he is 21 months for an evaluation if he is still not pointing or words have not increased. Should I have pushed harder for an immediate eval? After reading this post, I am seriously concerned. Also he does not follow you pointing either. And he screams out a lot. A lot.

Yes. Call them again and insist on an evaluation, get a referral from the pediatrician if needed. It's so weird they'd pick 21 months out of a hat.

Agreed. don't let the state push you around on some random sounding BS, and get an eval as soon as possible. You have to remind them that they work for you, it is ridiculous you have to remind them of this.

So I called VA intervention services again and insisted on an immediate evaluation. It's scheduled for Friday. Can anyone offer any advice as to what to look for or make sure they look for? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

OP here. When DS1 was evaluated, I didn't have to ask them to look for anything. I remember the evaluation being a combo of direct testing and parent questionnaire; I didn't feel at all that they were trying to get away with not providing services. I'd suggest looking up an early childhood development chart or printing the CDC milestone chart http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/downloads.html , and marking all the ones your DC hasn't yet reached. If you're concerned abut ASD, I'd ask specifically if they do the M-CHAT.
You might also get more responses if you start your own thread (although I don't at all mind that you posted here.) Maybe a VA resident can give you more specific advice.
Good luck.

Thanks OP. I apologize for hijacking your thread. I just got really concerned about my little one after reading the responses you received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question, my 19 month old DS (born at 34 weeks 5 days, spent 11 in nicu) does not point, or wave and only says "uh oh". At 18 month appointment, pediatrician recommended that I get intervention evaluation. I called them (in VA), and they said because DS was born early, I should wait for until he is 21 months for an evaluation if he is still not pointing or words have not increased. Should I have pushed harder for an immediate eval? After reading this post, I am seriously concerned. Also he does not follow you pointing either. And he screams out a lot. A lot.

Yes. Call them again and insist on an evaluation, get a referral from the pediatrician if needed. It's so weird they'd pick 21 months out of a hat.

Agreed. don't let the state push you around on some random sounding BS, and get an eval as soon as possible. You have to remind them that they work for you, it is ridiculous you have to remind them of this.

So I called VA intervention services again and insisted on an immediate evaluation. It's scheduled for Friday. Can anyone offer any advice as to what to look for or make sure they look for? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

PP, how did the evaluation go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question, my 19 month old DS (born at 34 weeks 5 days, spent 11 in nicu) does not point, or wave and only says "uh oh". At 18 month appointment, pediatrician recommended that I get intervention evaluation. I called them (in VA), and they said because DS was born early, I should wait for until he is 21 months for an evaluation if he is still not pointing or words have not increased. Should I have pushed harder for an immediate eval? After reading this post, I am seriously concerned. Also he does not follow you pointing either. And he screams out a lot. A lot.

Yes. Call them again and insist on an evaluation, get a referral from the pediatrician if needed. It's so weird they'd pick 21 months out of a hat.

Agreed. don't let the state push you around on some random sounding BS, and get an eval as soon as possible. You have to remind them that they work for you, it is ridiculous you have to remind them of this.

So I called VA intervention services again and insisted on an immediate evaluation. It's scheduled for Friday. Can anyone offer any advice as to what to look for or make sure they look for? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

My 2 oldest children never pointed until after they were two. The oldest was obsessed with traffic cones and bottles, lined up all of his toys, didn't engage in imaginative play until almost 3 1/2, barely made any language cut-off. The second one was similar except that he screamed all the time and had difficulty with eye contact, but he didn't line anything up. We were convinced both fell on the spectrum, had them both tested at age two and they did not. The oldest one had less "quirks" as time went on and is now a normal 11 year old. He had anxiety that caused some of his behaviors and we have worked those out. The second child has very severe ADHD which made the social and emotional pieces really notable.
But pointing is good and it is one of the big things they will look at as part of the whole puzzle. Post back with your results and good luck!