A Few Questions & Responses to Start the New Year

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

We have been trying to recover emotionally from Christmas---this was

the worst Christmas we've had since our son was born in 10/00,

because this year---we actually realize there is this " problem " and

his development is so noticeably off track from other 26 month olds.

All of our friends children were racing to open presents and calling

out " Hi Santa " and our son just didn't get it at all. It was just a

painful reminder that this " " or in " old language " PDD.NOS robs

you of so many experiences with your child. So we just take down the

tree and pray that next Christmas will be different---once we see Dr.

Goldberg.

In reviewing some recent postings---we wanted to say that our son

definately has " hyperlexic " skills. He has always been drawn to

letters and numbers and shapes. He can be redirected, but this is

definately a big draw for him. Dr. Greenspan's partner, Dr. Weider

did not think our son was necessarily " stimming " off the numbers and

letters. She thinks that they are a comforting, consistent presence

in a " world that seems overwhelming or confusing " to him. She also

said that as his language improves (he's non-verbal now) this will

likely phase out somewhat. She also reminded us that it is the one

thing he really understands/enjoys and can therefore form a " common

bond/communication " around with other people. He loves to show you

license plates and house addresses and have you join him in his

excitement about " what is that number. "

As for the posts about children not " fitting " the typical

profile with respect to illness history (ear infections, colds) or

vaccine reactions (fever, lethargy)---we can totally relate. Our

son's " PDD.NOS " autistic-like symptoms fit the descriptions very

well. However, his medical history does not. He developed normally

until age 12 months with 1-3 words and normal behaviors. He was

never on antibiotics and has no history of ear infections. He had

one episode of the croup at 12 months---put on steroid inhalers for 3

days with no noticeable reaction. He never had a " visable " reaction

after his vaccines---ALTHOUGH WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE

PRESERVATIVE THIMERISOL IS A NEUROLOGICAL TOXIN AND MAY

POISON/TRIGGER THESE symptoms in some kids.

Our son stopped developing language at 13 months and the " odd "

behaviors slowly revealed themselves between 15-18 months. Luckily,

he did not have continued regression past 18 months---and began to

level out with interventions (ST/OT). We also started floortime at

home 2 months ago and think it is the " key way " to interact with

him. However, he is definately " stuck " at around the 15 month level

with speech/motor skills, play capacity (concrete vs symbolic) and

peer interactions.

Our prayer for 2003 is that we get an appointment with Dr. Goldberg,

that our son's labs point to " something " that we can focus on---

although we are fearful that his labs will all come back normal and

we will have lost the one potential " miracle " that could bring him

back to us.

We look forward to learning, helping and interacting with all of you

in the coming year. May it be the year we get our children on the

road to recovery.

and