Reply to Loaded question: MERLD and autism

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Reply to "Loaded question: MERLD and autism "

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We have a diagnosis of MERLD for our child from a dev pediatrician. I am wondering if any of you, whose child has the same diagnosis,  have faced what we are facing.[b] Some preschool teachers and a psychologist have suggested that our child may have autism[/b] even though they know our child has a MERLD diagnosis. Anyone faced this? I know this topic is a sensitive one on this forum. 
 [/quote]

Having a MERLD diagnosis in a preschooler doesn't rule out autism by today's definition.  It just means that your child has both expressive and receptive speech delays at this point.  What preschool teachers are probably alluding to is that your child has behavioral problems that they don't know how to address.  They don't have any expertise, so they shouldn't be giving suggested diagnoses, just describing the [i]behaviors of concern[/i].  That's the point on which you need to ask for more information.  (I don't know what to tell you about the psychologist, but there might be something to that.)

Down the road whether your child will outgrow his current delays or given a language and/or communication disorder diagnosis, behavior can be problematic.  I would ask for a functional behavioral analysis in the preschool setting and consider doing behavioral or ABA therapy with your child.  It doesn't matter if he's on the spectrum or not, it sounds like language/communication issues are interfering with him participating in preschool activities.[/quote]

OP said they say a developmental ped.  The first thing they do is usually rule in/out autism.  No insurance is going to pay for ABA or behavioral therapy without an autism diagnosis.  Also, depending on the child ABA is not a good fit.  [/quote]

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