Kilgortrout
01-12-2007, 04:32 AM
Greetings
I am rather new to the site, and slowly making my way threw the threads...and yes...i am actually reading them, however after doing some quick searches i had wanted to bring up a few questions that perhaps someone out there might have more information on. if i have repeated some questions already covered i apologize........i will eventually get to those threads...but if someone would be kind enough to comment or even post a link to the threads in question i would appreciate it greatly
We Live in Canada, My Son who is 4 1/2 was officially diagnosed with Autisium when he was three, however we experienced medical limbo while incompetent trained so called professionals fumbled threw there poorly thought out diagnosis's and non empathetic attitudes whilst we were continuously shoved aside since he was two years old.
Even today i have been unable to receive a more specific analysis on where my son stands within the spectrum. Just rehearsed verbatim.
From my own research and piecing together multiple conversations with countless arrogant specialists i personally think he is in the High functioning autism spectrum
- He lost his speech when he was 1 1/2, He only just began to speak sentences, but the speech is blurred and some words are just hums or grunts.
- He used to throw the head banging tempertantrums,for the most part his communication skills were basically him pointing or showing a very early independent streak and getting certain items himself.
- The repetitive actions, repeating certain movies or cartoons over and over.
- A lack of focus, he cannot look someone in the eye -
- He has sensory needs, constant jumping,he will climb upon my dresser....and launch himself from the top to the bed.....and there is about five feet from the bed to dresser, water sensory needs, constantly pouring water or his drinks into multiple cups, then back and forth.
these are some of the symptoms
That being said he is highly intelligent, and he does understand. I have asked him to do something that i've never asked of before and will respond completely surprising me.....other times asking him something that he does a hundred times a day he will just ignore you.
He has mimicked my exact actions say with tools whilst fixing the vacuum cleaner...and he is so independent....at two years old he knew how to operate my DVD player, and stereo.
the other night i watched him walk directly to the fridge........grab the four liter jug of milk, open the lid, take a swig, put the lid back on, then put it back in the fridge...........as my wife joked, he will only follow threw with my bad habits.
Here are my questions
- As im sure you might have noticed, i am not fond of the medical faculty in our region...infact i believe there are lazy,poorly educated braggarts who care more about a paycheck then actually properly researching the subjects they claim to be specialists on........
In Canada we have what's called the Brain Drain......meaning that our best and brightest are lured away by more lucrative positions......taking there place are people from third world countries who can barley commutate with the majority of there cliental.
When it comes to my son i think this is unacceptable.
Jeez i apologize......i went off there didnt i
Question one - I have heard about Music therapy.........i have read a few blurbs here and there but nothing concrete. Music seems to be the one thing that will always reach him no matter the mood....i will spend hours just sitting in the room playing guitar for him.....Please if someone knows how i could incorporate music into some form of autistic therapy i desperately think that could be a potential link in his development-
- Here they keep pushing that my son uses the picture method for communication, This is where there is a board with all types of pictures on it, and when he requires something we are suppose to teach him to select a picture of what he desires and being it to us.
I am reluctant of this because i feel that we are wasting our time attempting to teach him a new form of communication for things that we already do well now...........we should be moving forward with speech, and behavior instead of taking a step back and starting form square one. however when i bring this up the workers give me that deer in a head light look of fear.....and just continue with there robotic verbatim they were taught
Am i wrong here?.
- Potty training - Does anyone have any ideas, positive stories..........anything.
I have to admit that im almost scared to push anything here out of fear of turning him into a some sick S&M deviant..............im sorry, a poor joke but this being my first son im not really sure how to go about doing it with a Non autistic child..........i need help.
I have to admit, i was reading the thread about rude things that were said to us by other people...........i had tears in my eyes.
Perhaps i will post something in greater lengths in that thread but we once had an autistic specialist try to give me one of those "Please excuse my child is autistic"Cards.....she was surprised when i tossed it back at her.............her exact words were "You will find some people will give there unsolicited advice to you when you are out and about"..............my response to this was Well then these people will get my unsolicited response and i guarantee it will be more harsh -
So far we have had only one incident.........now im not a very pretty man, Basically i look like an angry Tony Soprano with long hair so when its just me and my son and he is having a melt down not to many people will say something to me.
We were out shopping and my Son had a melt down while we were in the check out.......i was just rushing back from grabbing a forgotten item in the isle and upon my approach a lady and her husband had taken it on themselves to make some comments about his meltdown...............my wife looked them straight in the eye.....and said.....boy did you just make a big mistake and nodded to me -
You should have seen this guys face when he got an eyeful............now i also have a certain way with words as well....a linguistic adventure if you will...........needless to say the couple dropped the items they were about to purchase when i broke into verse reciting scripture from paradise lost and telling them i should eat there liver........of course at this moment my son starts to laugh....so i followed the couple to there car..........you guys ever see that bad part of a movie where someone is so scared they cant even open the door to there car?......this punk dropped his keys twice.....................oh yeah........i memorized there license plate as they ripped out of the parking lot and reported them to the store security that they were illegally parked in a handicapped spot as well..........
I have no tolerance for the ignorant
Anyways...............thank you for letting me rant
I am rather new to the site, and slowly making my way threw the threads...and yes...i am actually reading them, however after doing some quick searches i had wanted to bring up a few questions that perhaps someone out there might have more information on. if i have repeated some questions already covered i apologize........i will eventually get to those threads...but if someone would be kind enough to comment or even post a link to the threads in question i would appreciate it greatly
We Live in Canada, My Son who is 4 1/2 was officially diagnosed with Autisium when he was three, however we experienced medical limbo while incompetent trained so called professionals fumbled threw there poorly thought out diagnosis's and non empathetic attitudes whilst we were continuously shoved aside since he was two years old.
Even today i have been unable to receive a more specific analysis on where my son stands within the spectrum. Just rehearsed verbatim.
From my own research and piecing together multiple conversations with countless arrogant specialists i personally think he is in the High functioning autism spectrum
- He lost his speech when he was 1 1/2, He only just began to speak sentences, but the speech is blurred and some words are just hums or grunts.
- He used to throw the head banging tempertantrums,for the most part his communication skills were basically him pointing or showing a very early independent streak and getting certain items himself.
- The repetitive actions, repeating certain movies or cartoons over and over.
- A lack of focus, he cannot look someone in the eye -
- He has sensory needs, constant jumping,he will climb upon my dresser....and launch himself from the top to the bed.....and there is about five feet from the bed to dresser, water sensory needs, constantly pouring water or his drinks into multiple cups, then back and forth.
these are some of the symptoms
That being said he is highly intelligent, and he does understand. I have asked him to do something that i've never asked of before and will respond completely surprising me.....other times asking him something that he does a hundred times a day he will just ignore you.
He has mimicked my exact actions say with tools whilst fixing the vacuum cleaner...and he is so independent....at two years old he knew how to operate my DVD player, and stereo.
the other night i watched him walk directly to the fridge........grab the four liter jug of milk, open the lid, take a swig, put the lid back on, then put it back in the fridge...........as my wife joked, he will only follow threw with my bad habits.
Here are my questions
- As im sure you might have noticed, i am not fond of the medical faculty in our region...infact i believe there are lazy,poorly educated braggarts who care more about a paycheck then actually properly researching the subjects they claim to be specialists on........
In Canada we have what's called the Brain Drain......meaning that our best and brightest are lured away by more lucrative positions......taking there place are people from third world countries who can barley commutate with the majority of there cliental.
When it comes to my son i think this is unacceptable.
Jeez i apologize......i went off there didnt i
Question one - I have heard about Music therapy.........i have read a few blurbs here and there but nothing concrete. Music seems to be the one thing that will always reach him no matter the mood....i will spend hours just sitting in the room playing guitar for him.....Please if someone knows how i could incorporate music into some form of autistic therapy i desperately think that could be a potential link in his development-
- Here they keep pushing that my son uses the picture method for communication, This is where there is a board with all types of pictures on it, and when he requires something we are suppose to teach him to select a picture of what he desires and being it to us.
I am reluctant of this because i feel that we are wasting our time attempting to teach him a new form of communication for things that we already do well now...........we should be moving forward with speech, and behavior instead of taking a step back and starting form square one. however when i bring this up the workers give me that deer in a head light look of fear.....and just continue with there robotic verbatim they were taught
Am i wrong here?.
- Potty training - Does anyone have any ideas, positive stories..........anything.
I have to admit that im almost scared to push anything here out of fear of turning him into a some sick S&M deviant..............im sorry, a poor joke but this being my first son im not really sure how to go about doing it with a Non autistic child..........i need help.
I have to admit, i was reading the thread about rude things that were said to us by other people...........i had tears in my eyes.
Perhaps i will post something in greater lengths in that thread but we once had an autistic specialist try to give me one of those "Please excuse my child is autistic"Cards.....she was surprised when i tossed it back at her.............her exact words were "You will find some people will give there unsolicited advice to you when you are out and about"..............my response to this was Well then these people will get my unsolicited response and i guarantee it will be more harsh -
So far we have had only one incident.........now im not a very pretty man, Basically i look like an angry Tony Soprano with long hair so when its just me and my son and he is having a melt down not to many people will say something to me.
We were out shopping and my Son had a melt down while we were in the check out.......i was just rushing back from grabbing a forgotten item in the isle and upon my approach a lady and her husband had taken it on themselves to make some comments about his meltdown...............my wife looked them straight in the eye.....and said.....boy did you just make a big mistake and nodded to me -
You should have seen this guys face when he got an eyeful............now i also have a certain way with words as well....a linguistic adventure if you will...........needless to say the couple dropped the items they were about to purchase when i broke into verse reciting scripture from paradise lost and telling them i should eat there liver........of course at this moment my son starts to laugh....so i followed the couple to there car..........you guys ever see that bad part of a movie where someone is so scared they cant even open the door to there car?......this punk dropped his keys twice.....................oh yeah........i memorized there license plate as they ripped out of the parking lot and reported them to the store security that they were illegally parked in a handicapped spot as well..........
I have no tolerance for the ignorant
Anyways...............thank you for letting me rant
Sponsor
soozeq
01-12-2007, 08:05 AM
Hi Neighbour
First of all, welcome to the board. This is a great sit for info and for ranting. You will find that most of us are not terribly happy with the Autism services in our areas. It seems to be lacking pretty much worldwide (Although I hear that Alberta and NYC are handling it pretty well.) You probably know that there's an exodus of autistic families to Alberta right now. If you've read a couple of my posts, you'll see that we've been through the same struggles with professionals, especially when it came to the more physical concerns we had with my son. We are finally at the top of a 10 month waiting list for a developmental assessment. If you let me know what province/city you're in, I can give you some ideas for music. Especially if you're in Ontario, like we are. Do you have an Early Years Centre local? If you do, they'll have a resource teacher on staff who can help you access community programs. Also there's funding and tax credits available from the fed gov, if your son qualifies.
As far as the ^*%^&% in the ceck-out line, we all feel your pain. The worst is when people are trying to help and they'll touch him and say 'don't cry sweetheart' and then he'll take it to the next level. Liam has hit and kicked strangers before, for this. As a toddler, he just let out a high-pitched screech if strangers tried to talk to him, even when he was calm. He still does it somtimes.
I think I would use the cards. I've thought of making some myself. It's easier for me than just getting mad every time. Also, Liam's responded very well to the picture exchange system that you mentioned. He's verbal but has a lot of communication issues. We use them to help him schedule his day (very important to him). Also we keep a set of emotions pictures available to help him express how he's feeling. It might be worth giving the pictures a chance.
It sounds like your working hard for your son. Welcome to the board.
Suzy
First of all, welcome to the board. This is a great sit for info and for ranting. You will find that most of us are not terribly happy with the Autism services in our areas. It seems to be lacking pretty much worldwide (Although I hear that Alberta and NYC are handling it pretty well.) You probably know that there's an exodus of autistic families to Alberta right now. If you've read a couple of my posts, you'll see that we've been through the same struggles with professionals, especially when it came to the more physical concerns we had with my son. We are finally at the top of a 10 month waiting list for a developmental assessment. If you let me know what province/city you're in, I can give you some ideas for music. Especially if you're in Ontario, like we are. Do you have an Early Years Centre local? If you do, they'll have a resource teacher on staff who can help you access community programs. Also there's funding and tax credits available from the fed gov, if your son qualifies.
As far as the ^*%^&% in the ceck-out line, we all feel your pain. The worst is when people are trying to help and they'll touch him and say 'don't cry sweetheart' and then he'll take it to the next level. Liam has hit and kicked strangers before, for this. As a toddler, he just let out a high-pitched screech if strangers tried to talk to him, even when he was calm. He still does it somtimes.
I think I would use the cards. I've thought of making some myself. It's easier for me than just getting mad every time. Also, Liam's responded very well to the picture exchange system that you mentioned. He's verbal but has a lot of communication issues. We use them to help him schedule his day (very important to him). Also we keep a set of emotions pictures available to help him express how he's feeling. It might be worth giving the pictures a chance.
It sounds like your working hard for your son. Welcome to the board.
Suzy
Liz Cook
01-12-2007, 09:49 AM
Geez! Be angry then!:D
i like it:) much better than the self pity you hear alot when a child is diagnosed with autism:)
doctor's here in the states where they rip you off and get paid bazillions of dollars for 15 mins of their days arent much better about treating a patient like a human either. but there is also this fear that if they label a child autistic that the parent will flip out and try to kill them... maybe not so far fetched with some of the reactions i have seen. for us as it sounds for you it was a relief to know there was a direction to go after years of worry and waiting and then you get into service limbo and the worry and waiting turns to anger and frustration, quite rightfully so. as far as severity goes with the autism you might just have to ask out right. my son was also diagnosed with mental retardation and i asked the severity out right because it wasnt in any of the paper work. with MR the ranges go from Mild, to Moderate, to Severe, to Profound. i know my son is severely autistic, i am not sure if the same range is used though. at this stage with what you are describing it sounds like you son is more in the moderate range with his delays and regressions. and as i am sure you know autism is a cool neurological difference that is flexible and with treatment your son can go up in range and maybe some day off the spectrum all together. there seems to be two distinct types of autism. one, like my son, where you are born that way. and two where you are fairly neurotypical and then for some reason you have a regression between 1 1/2 and 2 years, more like your son. the second group seem to have more luck with putting aside their autistic tendancies, most likely because it hasnt been their meat and potatoes their entire lives. High functioning just means more or less how neurotypical they can look and how much stuff they can do for themselves. (NOBODY HIT ME HERE I AM GOING TO BRING UP RAIN MAN) The man that rain man was based on was a savant. a really BEAUTIFUL mind. the way his brain worked just brings shivers to my spine! (maybe i am a little bit nerdy) but as far as his autism goes he was severely autistic. the man didnt even dress himself and he was not able to maintain conversation. he man was a genius, but was he high functioning? probably not. this is why you are going to have a hard time pinning professionals on a functionality level, it's all about perspective and how one decides what makes a person "functioning"
Okay, enough about that. The pictures:) the pictures are a GREAT idea. we were offended at first by the idea that the "professionals" wanted our son to use the PECS cards (picture exchange system) but they definately have their place. if you can get in on a actually PECS training, i advise it. they made lots of good points that embarassed me for being so pig headed:) but alot of autistic brains are VERY visual based. you will in the long run be helping your son with his SPEECH by using the cards... how you ask?:) he can look at a picture of something he wants and its concrete, he knows he wants that, but he is having any autitory processing problems then you could be sounding like charlie brown's teacher when he is not responding to you. and that can come and go. he might be able to process speak fine, when he isnt over stimulated, under stress, looking at you, etc. but if he has the card then he gives it to you, then you can say what the card is. you can show him the picture, oh, you want a cookie? cookie... and give him one and now his brain is starting to get words for what the objects he wants are. tricky:)
everything builds on the basics. and your son might be light years ahead but they will wanted to start at step one to make sure he really understands the concept but with the way you describe your son i am sure he will pick it up fast and they do have a means for sentence building in later steps for easier communication with PECS. patience with communication and lots of consistancy! what everyone decides is the best route everyone needs to use!
we have a very uhm... autistic consultant for isaac autism. she is great! not many people like her though. just as honest and straight forward as can be no matter the consequences. she did my son's toiletting program. she has a great mind for these sort of things and its a hard program to start with. hard emotionally for the parent! basically she took an entire day of sitting next to the bathroom, playing games he likes and working on programs and giving him all kinds of drinks... and every 10 to 15 mins they (the consultant and the worker) would take and sit him on the toilet for 5 to 10 mins or until he toiletted. he wet out alot the first day but he did very well too. by the end of the day he was toiletting on the half hour and then when he was doing well with that we moved him to and hour and so on. when isaac is home he is let to toilet independantly now, though i do have to ask him if he has to pee when i see the pee pee dance:) the key to all of this was just to tell him "its time to potty", taking him straight to the toilet, putting him on, making no eye contact, NO TALKING WHILE HE WAS ON THE TOILET, and then having a big ole "great job" "yay! for Isaac" etc party when he peed or poohed to reinforce that using the toilet is good! a lot of parents use tricked to get there kids to toilet, like my sister used reading a book. well then her daughter would be sitting there for 45 mins or more because she liked to be read to! thats why the program was set up the way it was for isaac. we didnt want him to think go to the bathroom was play time, he was suppose to be "on task" while in the bathroom and then he got his fun afterwards:)
oh boy! i wrote a lot! hope your not asleep!
and good luck!
though really i must say everyone should enjoy a nice liver now and then;)
i like it:) much better than the self pity you hear alot when a child is diagnosed with autism:)
doctor's here in the states where they rip you off and get paid bazillions of dollars for 15 mins of their days arent much better about treating a patient like a human either. but there is also this fear that if they label a child autistic that the parent will flip out and try to kill them... maybe not so far fetched with some of the reactions i have seen. for us as it sounds for you it was a relief to know there was a direction to go after years of worry and waiting and then you get into service limbo and the worry and waiting turns to anger and frustration, quite rightfully so. as far as severity goes with the autism you might just have to ask out right. my son was also diagnosed with mental retardation and i asked the severity out right because it wasnt in any of the paper work. with MR the ranges go from Mild, to Moderate, to Severe, to Profound. i know my son is severely autistic, i am not sure if the same range is used though. at this stage with what you are describing it sounds like you son is more in the moderate range with his delays and regressions. and as i am sure you know autism is a cool neurological difference that is flexible and with treatment your son can go up in range and maybe some day off the spectrum all together. there seems to be two distinct types of autism. one, like my son, where you are born that way. and two where you are fairly neurotypical and then for some reason you have a regression between 1 1/2 and 2 years, more like your son. the second group seem to have more luck with putting aside their autistic tendancies, most likely because it hasnt been their meat and potatoes their entire lives. High functioning just means more or less how neurotypical they can look and how much stuff they can do for themselves. (NOBODY HIT ME HERE I AM GOING TO BRING UP RAIN MAN) The man that rain man was based on was a savant. a really BEAUTIFUL mind. the way his brain worked just brings shivers to my spine! (maybe i am a little bit nerdy) but as far as his autism goes he was severely autistic. the man didnt even dress himself and he was not able to maintain conversation. he man was a genius, but was he high functioning? probably not. this is why you are going to have a hard time pinning professionals on a functionality level, it's all about perspective and how one decides what makes a person "functioning"
Okay, enough about that. The pictures:) the pictures are a GREAT idea. we were offended at first by the idea that the "professionals" wanted our son to use the PECS cards (picture exchange system) but they definately have their place. if you can get in on a actually PECS training, i advise it. they made lots of good points that embarassed me for being so pig headed:) but alot of autistic brains are VERY visual based. you will in the long run be helping your son with his SPEECH by using the cards... how you ask?:) he can look at a picture of something he wants and its concrete, he knows he wants that, but he is having any autitory processing problems then you could be sounding like charlie brown's teacher when he is not responding to you. and that can come and go. he might be able to process speak fine, when he isnt over stimulated, under stress, looking at you, etc. but if he has the card then he gives it to you, then you can say what the card is. you can show him the picture, oh, you want a cookie? cookie... and give him one and now his brain is starting to get words for what the objects he wants are. tricky:)
everything builds on the basics. and your son might be light years ahead but they will wanted to start at step one to make sure he really understands the concept but with the way you describe your son i am sure he will pick it up fast and they do have a means for sentence building in later steps for easier communication with PECS. patience with communication and lots of consistancy! what everyone decides is the best route everyone needs to use!
we have a very uhm... autistic consultant for isaac autism. she is great! not many people like her though. just as honest and straight forward as can be no matter the consequences. she did my son's toiletting program. she has a great mind for these sort of things and its a hard program to start with. hard emotionally for the parent! basically she took an entire day of sitting next to the bathroom, playing games he likes and working on programs and giving him all kinds of drinks... and every 10 to 15 mins they (the consultant and the worker) would take and sit him on the toilet for 5 to 10 mins or until he toiletted. he wet out alot the first day but he did very well too. by the end of the day he was toiletting on the half hour and then when he was doing well with that we moved him to and hour and so on. when isaac is home he is let to toilet independantly now, though i do have to ask him if he has to pee when i see the pee pee dance:) the key to all of this was just to tell him "its time to potty", taking him straight to the toilet, putting him on, making no eye contact, NO TALKING WHILE HE WAS ON THE TOILET, and then having a big ole "great job" "yay! for Isaac" etc party when he peed or poohed to reinforce that using the toilet is good! a lot of parents use tricked to get there kids to toilet, like my sister used reading a book. well then her daughter would be sitting there for 45 mins or more because she liked to be read to! thats why the program was set up the way it was for isaac. we didnt want him to think go to the bathroom was play time, he was suppose to be "on task" while in the bathroom and then he got his fun afterwards:)
oh boy! i wrote a lot! hope your not asleep!
and good luck!
though really i must say everyone should enjoy a nice liver now and then;)
9CatMom
01-12-2007, 10:55 AM
Welcome to the boards! Good luck with your son.
Kilgortrout
01-15-2007, 05:25 AM
Liz .....That was by far one of the most profound well thought out explanations i have yet to experience since day one with these medical geniuses here within the city.
I sincerely thank you from the pit of my burning nauseous stomach
My son most defiantly sits within the second grouping you described, It will be a possibility for him to lead what's considered a normal level of functioning within society. but again...that depends on the amounts and quality of competent training (for lack of a better word) that will be available.
In regards to being vocal with the staff as to receiving a more detailed explanation?.......Those conversations usually end up with me insisting that they give me a listing of the literature they needed to complete in order to receive there degree so i can study it myself.........
So one of the possible tools for potty training would be a mild form of Chinese water torture for my son????...................Absolutely brilliant!....the thought of continuously overflowing him with liquids never occurred to me......By golly that could work..........
Soozq - I am in Winnipeg/Manitoba. Im not sure about "Early Years Centre local".we do currently have a social worker who has talked about certain programs and what not.....but that one i dont know? i will certainly ask.
What is it about Alberta that is being offered?..........i am unclear?
Thank you both for replying, you've also giving me a new perspective on using the cards as well.
I sincerely thank you from the pit of my burning nauseous stomach
My son most defiantly sits within the second grouping you described, It will be a possibility for him to lead what's considered a normal level of functioning within society. but again...that depends on the amounts and quality of competent training (for lack of a better word) that will be available.
In regards to being vocal with the staff as to receiving a more detailed explanation?.......Those conversations usually end up with me insisting that they give me a listing of the literature they needed to complete in order to receive there degree so i can study it myself.........
So one of the possible tools for potty training would be a mild form of Chinese water torture for my son????...................Absolutely brilliant!....the thought of continuously overflowing him with liquids never occurred to me......By golly that could work..........
Soozq - I am in Winnipeg/Manitoba. Im not sure about "Early Years Centre local".we do currently have a social worker who has talked about certain programs and what not.....but that one i dont know? i will certainly ask.
What is it about Alberta that is being offered?..........i am unclear?
Thank you both for replying, you've also giving me a new perspective on using the cards as well.
soozeq
01-15-2007, 10:08 AM
Hi Kilgortrout
Here in Ontario, we just waited a full ten months for a developmental assessment, got turned down completely for public OT, and we can't even get on a waiting list for IBI until we've done the developmental Asessment. IBI has a huge waiting list and gets cut off at six. So, what's the point, really?
Alberta is ahead of the rest of the country in wait times, and the financial funding can't be touched by any other province. Here's a quote from a political debate on the topic.
"In the province of Alberta, widely regarded as the best province for autism treatment, parents of autistic children receive $40,000 a year per child through the Department of Children's Services. As of March 2002, 654 children had received this funding, of which 318 received the intensive behavioural intervention treatment.
In contrast to Alberta, some provinces do not provide treatment at all, while others, such as Ontario, provide some treatment but not enough to meet current needs. In Ontario there are long waiting lists of children who desperately need treatment. To add insult to injury, the treatment in Ontario, after a certain age, is cut off. Children languishing on waiting lists may finally get to the top of the list, only to be told they are too old to receive treatment. This is outrageous. Is this any way to treat a child?"
Ontario, where we are is falling way behind. It's pretty dissapointing. Liam's 3 1/2 and we still don't even have a full diagnosis.
The Early Years Centre in run by the gov, here. They are drop-in centres in the community where you can meet with special-needs teachers who have access to community information and services. It's a good place to meet other parents and children. WE got a huge amount of support from the staff there, through our trials and tribulations. It will probably be called something different, but you might have something similar.
Good Luck.
Suzy
Here in Ontario, we just waited a full ten months for a developmental assessment, got turned down completely for public OT, and we can't even get on a waiting list for IBI until we've done the developmental Asessment. IBI has a huge waiting list and gets cut off at six. So, what's the point, really?
Alberta is ahead of the rest of the country in wait times, and the financial funding can't be touched by any other province. Here's a quote from a political debate on the topic.
"In the province of Alberta, widely regarded as the best province for autism treatment, parents of autistic children receive $40,000 a year per child through the Department of Children's Services. As of March 2002, 654 children had received this funding, of which 318 received the intensive behavioural intervention treatment.
In contrast to Alberta, some provinces do not provide treatment at all, while others, such as Ontario, provide some treatment but not enough to meet current needs. In Ontario there are long waiting lists of children who desperately need treatment. To add insult to injury, the treatment in Ontario, after a certain age, is cut off. Children languishing on waiting lists may finally get to the top of the list, only to be told they are too old to receive treatment. This is outrageous. Is this any way to treat a child?"
Ontario, where we are is falling way behind. It's pretty dissapointing. Liam's 3 1/2 and we still don't even have a full diagnosis.
The Early Years Centre in run by the gov, here. They are drop-in centres in the community where you can meet with special-needs teachers who have access to community information and services. It's a good place to meet other parents and children. WE got a huge amount of support from the staff there, through our trials and tribulations. It will probably be called something different, but you might have something similar.
Good Luck.
Suzy