My son Merrik

Joy - posted on 01/23/2009

Quoting Karen:

Just curious - does anyone know how to get your child diagnosed? I keep getting the 'general global delay' which means they don't know and won't give us help in the classroom as our girl is so shy and polite she doesn't cause any issues. She's just totally traumatized when she gets home and we all take the brunt of her not getting help in school.

Talk to your pediatrician and if that doesn't help try going directly to a psychologist for help.  You need a whole battery of psychological tests to get an accurate diagnosis.  And remember that this isn't an exact science.  They use the DSM IV to diagnose the child, and the DSM is on its 4th edition because we keep learning new things!  Don't just rely on the school system.

Joy - posted on 01/23/2009

Quoting Amy:

I don't know what your doctors qualifications are or if they know about autism spectrum disorders, but all the things he diagnosed your son with altogether point to an autistic spectrum disorder. It really doesn't matter though because the treatment for all those disorders will help him regardless. Good luck, and don't get stuck on just one diagnosis, as long as he's getting the help he needs he'll be fine. My son is 3 1/2 and is in a full-day pre-school. We just got a report for this semester that he has improved so much that he might beable to go to a regular special-education preschool with normal hours. Early intervention has done wonders for our child and I hope you see the same with your son! Good luck and hang in there, it gets better.

I was pretty sure sensory processing disorder WAS on the autism spectrum.

Theri - posted on 01/22/2009

Hi, my daughter is now 8 1/2, and we have been through it all, not autism, but Sensory Integrative Disorder, PDD, Oral Tactile Defensiveness, Epilepsy, ADHD, Partial hearing loss, and then they confirmed Fragile X Syndrome, and yes SHE is symptomatic, so I enjoyed going back to DR #1 and letting him know that my daughter does indeed have AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, along with everything else, keep fighting for what you believe, you are ALWAYS entitled to another opinion, br grateful for the help now, my daughter started getting it very early, 6months, and is now integrated in a normal school, we fought for it, but with her therapists, she is slowly but surely progressing, maybe only at the rate of a 4 year old, but she'll get there, in her own time. Be strong, remember only GOOD parents notice when their child needs help, and do something about it!

Karen - posted on 01/21/2009

Just curious - does anyone know how to get your child diagnosed? I keep getting the 'general global delay' which means they don't know and won't give us help in the classroom as our girl is so shy and polite she doesn't cause any issues. She's just totally traumatized when she gets home and we all take the brunt of her not getting help in school.

Trina - posted on 12/11/2008

Odessa, can you tell me a little about your son and what led you to seek evaluation of him in the first place? My daughter is 2 1/2 and we are having so much trouble with her. She has been evaluated by the school district but scored really high on all areas except for sensory. They cannot provide her with services since she only qualifies in one area but have referred me to a counselor that might be able to help. I'm just trying to see what other people's kids who have sensory issues do so I can see if we're similar. Do you mind sharing your story?

Christine - posted on 12/10/2008

Inquire within your public education system about special education services for your child. Don't wait like I did, my son is 4 1/2 yrs and is only now going through the assessment phase to receive free speech and occupational therapy, which comes with the free special education preschool program to help him with SPD. Good luck!

Amy - posted on 12/09/2008

I don't know what your doctors qualifications are or if they know about autism spectrum disorders, but all the things he diagnosed your son with altogether point to an autistic spectrum disorder. It really doesn't matter though because the treatment for all those disorders will help him regardless. Good luck, and don't get stuck on just one diagnosis, as long as he's getting the help he needs he'll be fine. My son is 3 1/2 and is in a full-day pre-school. We just got a report for this semester that he has improved so much that he might beable to go to a regular special-education preschool with normal hours. Early intervention has done wonders for our child and I hope you see the same with your son! Good luck and hang in there, it gets better.