New Member with 22mo. diagnosed with Autism

[Zenzele]

Hello everyone. I really liked reading some of the posts on here. I got this website from someone on WrongPlanet. My daughter was recently diagnosed and she is only 22mo. Looking to get as much information as I can so I can know what to expect. Right now our largest hurdle is getting her to speak to us through either voice or signing. Right now we have the Signing Time dvd's and she is enrolled in an autistic class for 4 days a week. Any other suggestions?

[callyflower]

Investigate biomedical treatments of autism. Your daughter does not have a "singing deficiency" or an "educational deficiency", she has immune system deficiencies that can be helped. With her being just a baby, you have a very good shot at full recovery.

[LIZARD]

I would get an MRI on her, too. There is growing info that supports the idea that differences in brain structure contribute to autism. My son was dx'ed at 2 1/2, and after several conferences with his doctors, an MRI was done. It revealed a significant Chiari Malformation (herniated cerebellar tonsils). I have since discovered that Chiari and autism are often found together in our kids, so it's worth a look.


Good luck...

LIZARD :)

[babyboomer]

Have any of your early interventionists (especially the speech therapist) mentioned anything about augmentative/alternative communication ("AAC")? PECS? (Picture Exchange Communication System) ... How exactly do they try to get your daughter to communicate in her program? (I'm a special ed teacher ... curious re: different approaches to communication)

[Isabelle]

welcome! :D
while he is very young rule out any medical disorders as callie suggested also as liz said a mri in case of chiari or any other disorder in brain structure and lastly early education and stimulation

[callyflower]

I "second" the MRI--a very good idea to rule out structural abnormalities. Cally

[LIZARD]

How did you succeed in getting her dx'ed so young? Has everything changed that much in 10 years? I beat on, yelled at, begged, threatened, and cajoled my son's doctors for more than a year, and he was 2 1/2!



LIZARD :)

[Mother's Heart]

I thought she meant signing, as in sign language, rather than singing (music)...although....singing not a bad idea. :) as music seems to be a good carrier for receptive language...at least it was in my son's case.

[LIZARD]

I thought she meant signing, as in sign language, rather than singing (music)...although....singing not a bad idea. :) as music seems to be a good carrier for receptive language...at least it was in my son's case.

I think she did mean signing, but yes, singing is an awesome idea! Drew loves to sing, like his mommy :), and I think it has helped his language considerably.


LIZARD :)

[Zenzele]

I will definitely talk to her doctor about getting an MRI to rule out any medical conditions....that was so much help! She is currently in sign language class, OT and music class. However these classes will stop on March 5th when she will start PECS system with her autistic classes (Jumpstart) due to time conflictions. Jumpstart has OT and speech integrated in their program already but I really like those other therapists. However the other therapist dont have other times outside of 8:30am to 1:30pm while she's in school.

I got her diagnosed a few months prior to age 2 because when I lived in Maryland they have the Infants and Toddlers program (free) and I called them to have her looked at by a speech and OT group. They didnt think it was a big deal that she was a couple months earlier than age 2. My doctor wanted me to wait till age 2 but I didnt see the reason when I already knew she wasnt saying a single word and was suppose to be saying at least 5-10 words at the time. No one had to tell me she was delayed. So when I moved to California I already had a report from Maryland saying she was delayed so that helped speed up the process when I got here. I got to California in November and she was diagnosed in January, she turns 2 in April.

[Mother's Heart]

Zenzele, that;s a real plus that you got her diagnosed early on. In the long run she should benefit from her specific needs being addressed at a younger age...and as they arise.