Hello all, newbie here.....

[Guest guest]

Hello group. I have participated on the GFCF site, but am new here.

For the past two years I have said that I thought I saw autistic

tendencies in my son, , but not classic autism. Everyone kept

telling me " he's too smart, too affectionate, just stubborn..... " and

so on! I wanted to to believe them, and would tell myself, " See,

they're right, he's doing a little better... " . Boy are we good at

seeing what we want to see until we just have to face it...

is a beautiful, bright, loving, 3.5 year old with a TREMENDOUS

sense of humor. He loves to tease and be teased by his Dad and I, but

could really live without most of the rest of the world. His " aloof "

nature with others, and repetitive behaviors/phrases were the

first " red flags " for me. He communicated with grunts, physical

pushing/pulling, and words/phrases from TV and videos, which he had

memorized almost immediately. But he didn't seem to understand that a

question needs an answer. Even though he knew his ABC's, shapes,

colors, and numbers at 2 y/o, he couldn't answer questions,

like " what color is this? " He'd just look at me like he didn't know

what I wanted from him. But he could point at

things/colors/shapes/letters/numbers and say exactly what they were.

He didn't answer ANY questions, and parroted a lot, too. (Since we've

been GFCFSF for 2 weeks, this has greatly improved He has even

tolerated others' talking to him, and in some cases touching him. He

crawled up on his speech therapist's lap, and she was nearly in tears

telling me about it!

's receptive communication seems intact, as he has always been

good at following simple commands, and " catches on " to things very

quickly. But his expressive communication is much delayed. After much

research and discussion, I am pretty sure he's going to end up with a

HFA or HFAsperger's diagnosis. We have an appt to see Dr. Georgia

in Springfield, IL on January 5th. I am so anxious to get

started on 's therapies. He currently only receives speech

therapy, and that is because I called our local school and asked for

a speech eval. I did take to the local preschool screening, but

I knew they wouldn't be able to get him to perform for them. It was a

basement full of people/kids, so he RAN and RAN and RAN, and was out

of control! HELLO... now I know why, and that crowds will lead to a

meltdown, or self-stims nearly without fail.... Oh, we live and

learn... But, the staff said, " We're not going to be able to

accurately evaluate him, and since you know he's going to attend a

private Christian preschool, this is a mute point anyway. We just

screen to find kids with special needs who might qualify for state-

funded programs. " YIKES!!!!!!!!! Knowing what I know now, I could

kick both of us! If either of us had clued in, I could have gotten

him started at 2 yrs 10 months, and been 9 months into his therapies!

Oh well..... I guess she wasn't looking, and I must have been in

denial... I guess because didn't show classically autistic

behaviors, it was easier for me to believe that he was " just " .

Now I know that many of his " that's just " behaviors are actually

self-stims. I feel particularly foolish because I am a nurse! I

remember quickly going over these things in nursing school, but I've

always worked in ER/Critical care, so THIS IS NOT MY AREA!!! BUT I'M

LEARNING!!! I'm having so many " aha moments " these days, my head is

swimming! I am just so grateful that these support sites exist where

we can vent and seek info, or comfort, or whatever the need of the

moment is.... Thanks for letting me vent!

God Bless,

Sherry

[Guest guest]

Hello Sherry,

I am a Sherry also but from England! I have a son Toby who was 5

yesturday. He has a chromosome disorder autism and global

developmental delay. I no how hard it is to come to terms with all of

this but do not blame yourself for not getting help sooner. Late is

better than not at all. Most kids do not get dx until they are older

anyway especially the higher functioning ones! You are on the right

track now so well done!

I just want to say welcome to the group and I hope we can offer

advice or just be a support to you. Good luck with your evaluation

let us know how you get on!

Sherryxx

[Guest guest]

's receptive communication seems intact, as he has always been

good at following simple commands, and " catches on " to things very

quickly. But his expressive communication is much delayed. After much

research and discussion, I am pretty sure he's going to end up with a

HFA or HFAsperger's diagnosis. We have an appt to see Dr. Georgia

in Springfield, IL on January 5th. I am so anxious to get

started on 's therapies. He currently only receives speech

therapy, and that is because I called our local school and asked for

a speech eval.

Hi Sherry, welcome to the group. As far as therapy I think some of the

most interesting work is being done by Dr. Gutstein,

'Relationship Development Intervention'. Do a web search and if he is in

your area you might want to attend a seminar. Possibly your state Autism

society has a copy of his video or books to loan. My son is 11,As.

Horseback riding has been great for him and playing the Trombone. He is

Home Schooled, but his music teacher has gone beyond the call of duty

and is bringing in kids to play with him one at a time. He will do this

until they have a small group to play together. Good luck and

welcome...Gail

[Guest guest]

That's what I said, Sherry! I'm grateful for venting/education/comfort opportunities, too....

maralee

>>>>> I am just so grateful that these support sites exist where we can vent and seek info, or comfort, or whatever the need of the moment is.... Thanks for letting me vent!God Bless,Sherry

[Guest guest]

I have to second this one!!!

MISSYSAHM to some special kids!!!

Excuse Me While I Go Raise Tomorrow's Future.

Re: Hello all, newbie here.....

That's what I said, Sherry! I'm grateful for venting/education/comfort opportunities, too....

maralee

>>>>> I am just so grateful that these support sites exist where we can vent and seek info, or comfort, or whatever the need of the moment is.... Thanks for letting me vent!God Bless,Sherry

[Guest guest]

> I just want to say welcome to the group and I hope we can offer

> advice or just be a support to you. Good luck with your evaluation

> let us know how you get on!

>

> Sherryxx

THANKS!!!