I am confused about something..... - Autism Spectrum Message Board

texasmommy · 04-26-2004, 08:10 AM

I watched the Primetime show the other night and the parents talked about what good babies there children were (hardly ever cried, played contently for hours by themself, etc.) until about the age of 2. I have also read this on several post on this website.

Here is where my confusion comes in. My son, Matthew who is now 4, was a very cranky baby. He cried all the time. We laugh about it now, by saying he didn't stop crying til he was 6 months old. The more mobile he got the happier he got. I started noticing the autistic tendencies at about age 1. I had him tested at 18months and was told he was a normal child. I again had him tested by another doctor at about age 2-1/2 where I was told he was PDD, OCD, & ADD. This doctor however would not treat him because he was too young. I found another doctor who tested him and said he was Asperger at age 3, but again would not treat him so young. I have searched and searched for doctors in my area (Houston, TX) to help him, but was unsuccessful or there was a huge waiting list. I finally had him tested through our school system. At first they told me there was nothing wrong with him, but I insisted they do further test. That's when the school pyscologist evaluated him at his mother's day out program. That's when it became apparent. He is very high functioning. It is mostly is social interaction that needs help. My sister is his caretaker while I work. She and I have done a lot of research and have tried to implement things we have learned. He has made a lot of progress, but I feel he needs more. I still have not found any resources to treat him other than the public school system. I want to try to stay away from medicating him if possible.

If anyone has suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. I would also be curious to know if there are any others out there who children were not happy starting out in life.

Thanks!
Texasmommy

shue · 04-26-2004, 12:16 PM

My daughter was also difficult from birth. That's why I do not believe that vaccinations had anything to do with her autism. Possible, the MMR may have accelerated an already present condition, but she was a solemn, aloof, not cuddly baby from the beginning. Always very little eye-contact. There are children who seem to have a disentigrative type of autism, like the ones in the Primetime program, and there are kids who, like Abby never regress, just always were. There are even some children who do not begin to lose their language, etc. until after the age of four or five, even as late as seven.
I am sorry that you have not been able to find any services for him. That seems crazy in such a huge metropolitan area. I would be happy to enquire at Abby's treatment center about ABA providers in Houston if you'd like.

texasmommy · 04-26-2004, 01:22 PM

Any help I can get would be appreciated. What are are you in? Where does Abbey fall in the Autism scale? Is Abbey on DMG, Magnesium, and Vitiman B? Do you know where to purchase these?

I am really glad I have found this board. It has been a great source of information for me.

shue · 04-26-2004, 01:34 PM

We are using ABA. She gets nearly 40 hours a week. She also gets OT for sensory issues for about three hours a week formally and then a bit more at home. I have not started supplements or any dietary modifications yet. I plan to, but I am trying to see where we get with what we are doing right now first. I am tempted to try everything I come across, of course, but if I do that, how will I know what is working and what isn't, KWIM?
Abby scored 36.5 on the CARS test. Moderate to severe. She is verbal, lots of words and her use of language is improving all the time.
BTW, I am in D/FW, so the folks at Abby's "school" might really be able to help some since you are in Houston. I'll see what I can find out.

Ladybird34 · 05-17-2004, 06:54 PM

My son was cranky from birth. Rejected cuddling. Would not drink from bottle when I was holding him. Would arch back to get away. Never fell asleep in my arms. He would arch away. Had horrible foos allergies that left him with rashy cheeks and dark circles under his eyes. Tested at 18 mos: inconclusive. Tested at 3 years; borderline. Tested at 4 yrs: normal. Tested at 6 yrs; Aspergers. At age 8 he is handful on somedays and very picky eater. Hates meats unless really soft and thinly sliced.