Introduction

[Guest guest]

My name is and my 3 yr old, Draven was just diagnosed with

Autism. His neurologist referred me to the Emory Autism Center for

an evaluation for an official diagnosis. I knew something was up

when he started having absence seizures when he was 18 mths old. By

the time he was 2 he still didnt have the speech & language

milestones like he should have so his ped referred him to Babies Cant

Wait. It took six months before we were finally able to get someone

to work him on his speech. They said it was better to have someone

come into the home enviroment and no one was available or didnt take

Peachstate. We finally settled for a special instructor who worked

with him 1 hr a week for 4 mths until he turned 3 yrs of age. He

entered special needs preschool on his birthday. He had an MRI and

the results said that his myelination was immature & underdeveloped.

The neurologist said they want to do another one in 6 mths so they

can compare it to the first one. Isnt there something else they can

do before then. They feel that this is why he is has autism and why

his speech is affected. His vocabulary is limited to about 40

words. He does try to communicate but most of the time you cant

understand him. He has learned one sign so far, still working with

him on some more. For the most part he is able to show me what he

wants if it is within his sight. Other times he wants something we

dont have and he has a complete meltdown, he will throw himself on

the floor and kick and scream. I had to get him a backpack harness

to put on him when were out because he wont let me hold his hand or

carry unless he intiates the contact. This way I can still have hold

of him and he can have his own space. I dread going to the grocery

store because a scene usually ensues. I had been at the ER twice for

2 of my children and they moved us to a quiet room because he and my

other son were being so loud and disruptive. He is still in diapers,

potty training has been unsuccessful so far but were still working

with it. He is very smart, but we dont know what his limitations

yet, he is still too young. He can point out body parts and things

of the sort. Autism was suspected because of the speech and strange

behaviors like he was lining up everything in a row. He has a knack

for taking things apart, he had my nail clippers and other things in

pieces. He got hold of a screw driver once and took the screw out of

one of his toys to get the batteries out because they were dead. An

Autism panel was done to check for certain genetic conditions

(Fragile X) and it was negative. Dont know what to expect I will let

you know what the Autism center says. Don't know what part of the

spectrum he is yet. My 8 yr old son, is also suspected of

having Autism among other things, I will put that in another post.