seeking tips/advise

Jennifer - posted on 05/31/2012

thanks danielle

Danielle - posted on 05/30/2012

I have been there to a point. So, try to hang in there! My now 8 yr old son went thru a very rough period between 2.5 & 3.5. He spoke some at home, but not much as his older sisters were happy to speak for him. He wouldn't speak at all at school for months until he was somewhat comfortable with the teachers of the other 2 yr old class. His unqualified teachers were trying to diagnose him with everything from petit mal to hearing loss to autism. Aidan wasn't evaluated for early intervention services until 2 yrs 9 mos, & had to transition to the 3-5 EI service before actually getting services just after his 3rd birthday. At the same time we had dr appts & hearing tests, etc... It took a few months before we saw any real progress in his speech and he didn't start speaking a lot until right around 6. With my 9 yr old daughter, who also has a speech disorder, we saw the improvement a lot more quickly because she would speak so much. My daughter also had a big jump when she started to read. My son, on the other hand, had trouble learning to read & made a big jump in his reading about halfway thru 1st grade, right after he had a big jump in his speech. Boys are just different. Actually, every kid is just unique!

Although several different people mentioned autism to me, I didn't have my son tested for it until this year at school. (He has OCD & I wanted it added to his IEP before he moved to a new school & the school psychologist was told to test for autism by the staff). I wasn't really concerned, but thought treating the symptoms was the most important thing, not getting an autism diagnosis. However, if it seems to you that your son may be on the spectrum, it may help you to get the services he needs to get the diagnosis.

I had 3 children ages 3, 4 & 6 when I started going through the constant stream of dr appts & tests & evaluations. And 5 years & 1 more kid later, I'm still taking 2 kids to speech therapy once a week. It can take a lot out of you! Try to hang in there! And remember, you know your child better than your dr does. So ask yourself, what are your concerns? Do you think he's autistic? Do you think he has a hearing problem? If the answer is yes or maybe, then the tests are worth it, either to ease your mind or to get him the additional services he may need.

I know I'm not giving much in the way of advice here, but I hope it helps you! :)