Re: Extremely long post - One of those days full of thought

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I am new to this group, and mostly just lurk and learn. However, your

post caught my attention enough to bring me out of " lurk mode. " Here

is my 2 cents worth.

No, it doesn't sound like Autism at all. It sounds like a

neurologically based movement disorder, such as ataxia, or mild

cerebral palsy. Has your son been examined by a good pediatric

neurologist? If so, and nothing has been diagnosed, is it time for a

second opinion?

Best of luck to you,

Wanda

[Guest guest]

Hi Wanda, never heard of ataxia, what is that? I don't know much

about cerebral palsy either. He's due to see the same ped.

neurologist again in a couple months, I guess we'll see what he says

again, I'll take video tapes too, and then maybe get another

opinion. I've wondered about hypotonia too. He doesn't display a

lot of the symptoms but he's HEAVY. Partly because he doesn't hold

on, never has either. I'll ask about that as well. I appreciate

your two cents!! Thanks for popping out of lurk mode.

Best,

> Hello ,

>

> I am new to this group, and mostly just lurk and learn. However,

your

> post caught my attention enough to bring me out of " lurk mode. "

Here

> is my 2 cents worth.

>

> No, it doesn't sound like Autism at all. It sounds like a

> neurologically based movement disorder, such as ataxia, or mild

> cerebral palsy. Has your son been examined by a good pediatric

> neurologist? If so, and nothing has been diagnosed, is it time for

a

> second opinion?

>

> Best of luck to you,

> Wanda

[Guest guest]

There is a wonderful therapy program for kids such as yours (they

help kids from mildly brain injured to profoundly) based in

Philadelphia. It's called Family Hope Center (familyhopecenter.org).

We have been taking our son there for the past 2 years (every 6

mnths). They evaluate your child and then give you an individualized

program to carry out at home. Many many children have been helped by

this and are now considered well. Our son, age 6,is genetically brain

injured, besides becoming autistic and losing speech at the time of

the MMR at age 26 months. He is improving slowly with this program,

however, children who are not genetically brain injured have much

greater results. It's worth looking in to.

> Hi all,

>

> I find myself in " one of those moods " again.

>

> Doubting, wondering, speculating.

>

> On one hand - I know for certain that something is " wrong " with my

> 4.5 yo son . And I'm constantly doubting autism. Why?

>

> His delays:

>

> COMMUNICATION/SOCIAL: he's delayed severly in speech. His speech

and

> articulation is very poor. He tends to leave off the beginning

> and/or ending of words. Cheese is tee, yes is ye, Roman is oman,

> etc... He still doesn't speak much, doesn't answer questions

usually

> with words. Still mainly uses gestures or sign to get what he

wants

> but tends to " forget " (or misunderstand or something) which sign is

> used for what and he's been using sign since he was 15 months old.

> He does work mighty hard at getting his wants/needs across. He's

> very sociable and is quite a ham when we have company, loves to be

> the center of attention and will go out of his way to get/maintain

> your attention. He signs " I love you " to almost everyone and is

> there ready with a hug and a smile to almost anyone. Especially

> those people who are regularly involved in his life. (Even those

he

> doesn't see but a few times a year)

>

> MOTOR SKILLS: his gross motor skills are relatively strong for

him.

> He's able to run, walk, jump, hop up and down. However, he has a

> particular " look " (for lack of a better term) to his movements that

> signal that he's " different " . He tends to run with his knees

really

> bent so it seems he's skimming the ground. He used to " flap " his

> arms when running and this is almost non-existent now.

>

> Fine motor skills are quite a bit more difficult for him. When

> holding a pencil or eating utensil he's constantly having to re-

> adjust it between his fingers. Brushing his teeth is a task as he

is

> unable to move his arm/wrist, whatever it is that aids in brushing

> all your teeth. He has difficulty pulling up/putting on his pants,

> shoes, shirt, etc...

>

> Oral motor skills are tough. He really has problems working his

> tongue, is unable to lick his lips, blow through his lips, clean

food

> from around the inside of his mouth, pucker his lips, smile on

> command though he does smile freely in response to a smile. He

> overstuffs his mouth to the point of gagging/vomiting. Smacks his

> lips/mouth and is an extremely noisy eater.

>

> UNDERSTANDING: Some days it's like everything is crystal clear and

> he seems to catch on really quick, " gets " what he's being

> told/taught. Other days it's a constant repeating of what to do,

how

> to do it and even then it's like it's not clicking.

>

> He's very far behind in cognitive understanding. Doesn't

understand

> spatial concepts like above/below, under/over. Seems to be able to

> understand and point to shapes and colors most times and then

doesn't

> seem to know them. When looking in books if I ask where is or what

> is questions he understands some things and some he doesn't.

>

>

>

>

> Anyway I apologiize for the long post, if anyone made it through

all

> this THANKS!

>

> I find myself constantly wondering if it's not autism, then what is

> it? What else can cause such significant delays in so many areas?

> His social skills are so strong now. Didn't used to be though. I

> know he can't say his name, tell his age, know that he's a boy,

know

> where he lives or his phone number or his parents names.

>

> There I go again. Anyway, feel free to give me your two cents

worth

> or just say hello.

>

> Best,

[Guest guest]

They evaluate your child and then give you an individualized

> program to carry out at home.

What are some of the programs that they give you?