/Theresa//Martha

[Guest guest]

Hi, Everyone..........Thank you, sooooooooo much, for reaching out to

. You have put the SUPPORT in this support group!!!

Theresa....welcome to the group. Like all of us, we were stunned with the

big *A* dx, but then, realize that it explains so much of our kid's

behaviors and quirks.

<<She can read out loud but doesn't want to talk much on her own.>>

This line took me by surprise. You are talking about my kid (15 yrs

ago!!!) when he was in first grade. He could read a sentence (The cat is

black)

out loud but couldn't turn around and say that simple sentence without

SEEING the words. Welcome to the strange and wonderful world of autism!!! He

could easily read out loud before he got his speech....which didn't come

till @ age 10 after starting him on Risperdal. The teeth grinding went

away, too!!! He's also very OCD and takes Lexapro or Luvox for that. It's

especially frustrating when he gets locks in verbal loops and asks the same

question over and over and over and over again!!!

<<Is he ever gonna talk or do we only focus on PECS and sign language?>>

....Gareth didn't talk till after being put on Risperdal. I say he

talks, but it is only 2-3 word sentences and he stutters so

badly........but, I'll take it!!!

Martha....welcome to the group. Lots of new people this week!!! Your son

does sound autistic and I am surprised that your DH and daughter don't

want another label. Having the ASD dx usually helps a child get more services

to address the autism. The head banging would concern me the most. My

kid use to bang his head on the tile floor....that's when we decided to use

meds. The head banging, belligerence, anger, and non-compliance went away

and we could begin to focus on behavioral issues/speech. What about his PCP

giving the diagnosis....what does he say about it? You don't have to go

to KK or a specialist for the dx. There's lots of people on this site that

live in Texas.....Irma knows the most!!!

Take care, Everyone.

Margaret