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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My younger DS was just assessed yesterday for special education preschool ...he'll be 3 in early April.  We used to live in the DC area and I frequented DC Urban Mom a lot when I was going through infertility, but since we've moved to Colorado, I have yet to find anything as great for support ...so here I am. My husband and I are both ADHD as well as my older son who was diagnosed this past summer (go figure).  My younger DS showed signs of a feeding delay at around 7months when he wouldn't eat the solids I tried to feed him or mouth any toys.  He was identified as having a feeding delay at 12 months and a speech delay by 15 months.  He's received speech and OT since those times and although both therapists agree that there are red flags for Autism, both of them have indicated they think his issues are more isolated to sensory, since his  skills in some other major Autism related areas do not indicate a problem.

[b]His assessment to qualify him for special education preschool was one of the worst experiences I've had since I've had kids, but basically they indicated he needed further testing for Autism. I sort of expected that, but it was more the way they approached the subject that made me feel like I was just an idiot for not seeing how obviously Autistic he looks.  I felt like they just took one look at him and then didn't believe me when I talked about all the things he could do and I couldn't help but get a little defensive and frustrated.   It was such a belittling and lonely experience and I cried all the way home. [/b]

Since then, I have been looking at youtube videos of parents of children with Autism and Autism professionals describing symptoms and children demonstrating them, and more and more, I am thinking maybe he is Autistic.  There are some distinctive things about him (mainly a very clear interest in engaging with other kids and familiar adults)  that lays an argument against Autism, but more and more there are just too many little things that seem to indicate for it.  My DH and I have already decided to look into getting a medical diagnosis for him, but in the meantime, I was wondering if there was anyone out there that might have some advice or could point me in the direction of resources and support.  What was the emotional process for you like?  What do you wish you knew at the beginning of your child's special needs journey that you know now?

Any positive support and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[/quote]

This experience is quite common, unfortunately. Take it one step at a time, OP. It may be autism or it may not be. My son had an extreme speech delay at 3 and as a result acted in some ways that suggested autism (e.g., had little interest in socialization, no imaginary play, etc.). As his speech improves, his autistic traits seem to be disappearing...so perhaps never was autism or he is just on the higher functioning side of the spectrum? We're going in for our developmental pediatrician appointment in a month or so and I guess we'll see what they say.

But the school district is quick to say autism at least in my and my friends' experiences. At this point, I don't think the diagnosis is as important as working on the areas where he is delayed in his development.[/quote]

We didn't have this experience with the school system but with others.  Now that my child is older, there are no symptoms that were of initial concern.  Language disorders can mimic autism but usually by 6-7-8, its pretty clear as if it is a language disorder, many of the traits are outgrown but if it is autism, they remain or change but have those features.

You may want to do a consult with either Steven or Mary Camarata in Nashville (he works at Vanderbilt, she is in private practice).  I don't think they are 100% accurate all the time either but they are probably the most experienced and are great testers for kids.

If anything, I'd do intensive speech a few times a week if you can at that age.[/quote]

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