Second Child

[Guest guest]

I have two children, one Adam (3.4- severe verbal apraxia) and Kaitlyn (9

months). I am starting to worry just a little bit about Katy. Katy makes a

lot of noise. She makes vowel sounds but I don't get many consonants. I

think by now she should be able to babble mama or dada indiscriminately. I

sometimes get a da, but no dada and I hear her do mmmm's but no mama. I'm

just wondering after all we've been through with Adam, What is normal speech

development? I am encouraged by some of her sounds but I don't feel

confident that she is not apraxic. What should I be looking for or am I just

being paranoid because of Adam? Just wondering, are there any telltale signs

that might lead me one way or another? I am certain she's too young to have

evaluated but I am so concerned. Also, has anyone given ProEFA to their

babies or is this thought premature at her age? Any help would be

appreciated.

Thanks,

Janet

[Guest guest]

I 100% believe having other children is probably the best thing you can

do for your child whether they have autism or not. We have 3 children

and my son with autism is the middle child. It is good for you because

it gives you a variety in life rather then constantly focusing on

disabilities and those issues. It will bring your child into the world

of another child and he can share in their activities even if it is only

attending them.

I can go on and on but I would say it is the best you can do.

second child

Hi all

My son will be turning 6 in december. He is autistic. What are all

your thoughts about having a second child under the circumstances.

He loves playing with other kids and especially loves babies,

although he is still not very socially appropriat at times. He is

very caring about babies, and off late has been asking for baby

sister.

But we are kind of worried and feel that with the arrival of the

second baby he may be neglected unintentionally or not given enough

attention. Right now we spend a lot of time with him and we both work

and once at home we spend atleast 3 hours every day exclusively with

him doing academic or other stuff. We really wish to have another

positive and negative.

thanks

Bharathi

Unlocking Autism

www.UnlockingAutism.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for parents who have a

child with AUTISM.

Schafer Autism Report

News and information on Autism

To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html

Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet

[Guest guest]

There are several things you will have to ask yourself if you are

wanting another child. Am I financially able to pay for all my

special needs child's therapies and on top of that spend hundreds of

dollars a month on diapers and formula? One thing that has kept me

from wanting another child is my fear of having another one on the

spectrum. We don't think that we would be able to afford private

school, speech therapy, OT, vitamin therapy...for two children at

this time. Even if we did have the money to do all that for 2

children, I don't know if we as a family can handle how hard it is.

My ASD child demands so much of my time and attention. When I am not

playing with him, I'm in the car taking him to one therapy or

another. Not to mention finding time to clean, cook, and eat!! Let's

not also forget to mention the time we all have to spend arguing with

schools, insurance companies and doctor's offices! So for us, it

would not be an ideal time to have another child. I however don't

deny the fact that another child could possibly be the best therapy

for your ASD child. I'm not oppsed to having more children. Please

don't get me wrong. I just don't see it as a possibility for us at

this time.

> I 100% believe having other children is probably the best thing you

can

> do for your child whether they have autism or not. We have 3

children

> and my son with autism is the middle child. It is good for you

because

> it gives you a variety in life rather then constantly focusing on

> disabilities and those issues. It will bring your child into the

world

> of another child and he can share in their activities even if it is

only

> attending them.

> I can go on and on but I would say it is the best you can do.

>

>

> second child

>

> Hi all

>

> My son will be turning 6 in december. He is autistic. What are all

> your thoughts about having a second child under the circumstances.

> He loves playing with other kids and especially loves babies,

> although he is still not very socially appropriat at times. He is

> very caring about babies, and off late has been asking for baby

> sister.

> But we are kind of worried and feel that with the arrival of the

> second baby he may be neglected unintentionally or not given enough

> attention. Right now we spend a lot of time with him and we both

work

> and once at home we spend atleast 3 hours every day exclusively

with

> him doing academic or other stuff. We really wish to have another

> positive and negative.

> thanks

>

> Bharathi

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Unlocking Autism

> www.UnlockingAutism.org

>

> Autism-Awareness-Action

> Worldwide internet group for parents who have a

> child with AUTISM.

>

> Schafer Autism Report

> News and information on Autism

> To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html

> Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I wholeheartedly agree with . Our oldest child, is NT. Then our

twin boys came along and around the time that I knew something was wrong(but

wasn't yet aware that they had autism), I found out that I was pregnant with

Gracie. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown because I already

felt overwhelmed with all the stuff I felt I needed to do for the boys(private

OT therapy at the time, special programs provided by our school district etc.)

As it turned out, Gracie was truly a blessing from above--it was as if God had

sent the boys a special playmate! Also, as mentioned below, the " balance " in

our life is so important. Because of our two girls, we're not always " living

and breathing " autism.

This is my opinion based on my own personal experience.

a

second child

Hi all

My son will be turning 6 in december. He is autistic. What are all

your thoughts about having a second child under the circumstances.

He loves playing with other kids and especially loves babies,

although he is still not very socially appropriat at times. He is

very caring about babies, and off late has been asking for baby

sister.

But we are kind of worried and feel that with the arrival of the

second baby he may be neglected unintentionally or not given enough

attention. Right now we spend a lot of time with him and we both work

and once at home we spend atleast 3 hours every day exclusively with

him doing academic or other stuff. We really wish to have another

positive and negative.

thanks

Bharathi

Unlocking Autism

www.UnlockingAutism.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for parents who have a

child with AUTISM.

Schafer Autism Report

News and information on Autism

To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/index.html

Healing Autism: No Finer Cause on the Planet

[Guest guest]

I found out that le was autistic when my youngest was 6 mo.

old. le pouted for two days after le was born, and on

the third day, she was sharing her toys-favorite ones! Now that

Gabby is 3.5, le interacts with her sis, and verbalizes a lot

more. Every family is different.

Sara

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/21/2003 4:51:07 PM Central Standard Time,

stlevine@... writes:

> I 100% believe having other children is probably the best thing you can

> do for your child whether they have autism or not. We have 3 children

> and my son with autism is the middle child. It is good for you because

> it gives you a variety in life rather then constantly focusing on

> disabilities and those issues. It will bring your child into the world

> of another child and he can share in their activities even if it is only

> attending them.

> I can go on and on but I would say it is the best you can do.

>

Exactly one child with disabilities can end up unbelievably spoiled and

afraid to do and try new things when more than one well the other child or

children

help to make the special one more normal. Like in this school district they

mix special needs and normal so the special children learn some normal things

[Guest guest]

My youngest gets my oldest in trouble teaching her to climb and everything

else that normall a blind child autistic child would not do. The two of them

share and help one another alot as well as others because of my youngest my

oldest can make up beds, clean up after herself etc... It's amazing what

children

can do.

[Guest guest]

-thank you for sharing all your thoughts with me. gave me some

perspective on making decision. You all will be the first to know

when I have good news. thanks

You all keep me sane

Bharathi

-- In Autism Treatment , smiles2322@a... wrote:

> In a message dated 10/21/2003 4:51:07 PM Central Standard Time,

> stlevine@a... writes:

>

> > I 100% believe having other children is probably the best thing

you can

> > do for your child whether they have autism or not. We have 3

children

> > and my son with autism is the middle child. It is good for you

because

> > it gives you a variety in life rather then constantly focusing on

> > disabilities and those issues. It will bring your child into the

world

> > of another child and he can share in their activities even if it

is only

> > attending them.

> > I can go on and on but I would say it is the best you can do.

> >

>

> Exactly one child with disabilities can end up unbelievably spoiled

and

> afraid to do and try new things when more than one well the other

child or children

> help to make the special one more normal. Like in this school

district they

> mix special needs and normal so the special children learn some

normal things

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My husband and I also worried about having another child after we found out our

daughter was autistic. He wanted another child since all the therapists kept

saying a sibling was " the best therapy! " My response was always the

same......Hell No! I was afraid that I'd end up in therapy with another child!

However, after our daughter turned 5 we found out I was pregnant. My duaghter

had slowly progressed and I was terrified but we met the challenge head on. All

I can say is that our second child (8 months old now) is the biggest blessing my

daughter could receive. Don't get me wrong, the first 2 months were awful. I

thought I was going to have to give the baby up for adoption just for Her

protection! Ha Ha Joking! My older daughter was angry, aggressive, and would

try to hurt herself during the first 2 months. But we kept on and took things

slowly. Yes there were lots of tears and prayers but one day my older daughter

just looked at the baby and said, " That's Georgi's baby sister! " She was

starting to speak in complete sentences so the sentence alone was a big thing.

The thing was that up to that point, Georgi did not really socialize with anyone

unless she wanted to. So, some days she was here but not " really " here. Since

that day, Georgi tries to involve herself into our lives. She talks to her

" baby sister " and talks to ME!!! I can even ask her a question and she will

respond on a good day! To be honest, I am not sure what caused the sudden

change in Georgi but all I can say is that my husband and I feel adding a

sibling to the mix sure did make her want to join us in our everyday lives. She

still has her days and she still does things that sets her apart from the

" normal " kids but for the first time in her life, I feel like I have a daughter

that knows I exist.

CL

[Guest guest]

--I was hesitating to ask this question about second child. I am soo

glad I did. thanks for all the wonderful replies and opinions, it

helps

thanks

Bharathi

- In Autism Treatment , stringerup@a... wrote:

> CL,

> Your story is very beautiful. It made me cry.

> Best wishes,

> Lori

>

> In a message dated 10/23/2003 9:54:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

elopez@n... writes:

>

> > My husband and I also worried about having another child after we

found out our daughter was autistic. He wanted another child since

all the therapists kept saying a sibling was " the best therapy! " My

response was always the same......Hell No! I was afraid that I'd

end up in therapy with another child! However, after our daughter

turned 5 we found out I was pregnant. My duaghter had slowly

progressed and I was terrified but we met the challenge head on. All

I can say is that our second child (8 months old now) is the biggest

blessing my daughter could receive. Don't get me wrong, the first 2

months were awful. I thought I was going to have to give the baby up

for adoption just for Her protection! Ha Ha Joking! My older

daughter was angry, aggressive, and would try to hurt herself during

the first 2 months. But we kept on and took things slowly. Yes

there were lots of tears and prayers but one day my older daughter

just looked at the baby and said, " That's Georgi's baby sister! "

She was starting to speak in complete sentences so the sentence alone

was a big thing. The thing was that up to that point, Georgi did

not really socialize with anyone unless she wanted to. So, some days

she was here but not " really " here. Since that day, Georgi tries to

involve herself into our lives. She talks to her " baby sister " and

talks to ME!!! I can even ask her a question and she will respond

on a good day! To be honest, I am not sure what caused the sudden

change in Georgi but all I can say is that my husband and I feel

adding a sibling to the mix sure did make her want to join us in our

everyday lives. She still has her days and she still does things

that sets her apart from the " normal " kids but for the first time in

her

> > life, I feel like I have a daughter that knows I exist.

> >

> > CL