Got A Diagnosis

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Got A Diagnosis
5
Mon, 05-01-2006 - 2:02pm

I am not surprise by it at all.

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-01-2006 - 7:05pm

Well, there are 2 cases where a child could "come out of it" sort of speak.

1- The child had some autism type traits early on but wasn't really on the spectrum. However, due young age and perhaps some sensory, language or maturity challenges they had some behaviors that were consistent with ASDs. It is very hard to diagnosed ASD's young accurately. They are getting better and better but there is always the possibility the child was a bit off developmentally but not autistic. My 6yo Dave is like that. He has SID problems and had lots of autistic type traits but is not autistic and has grown out or has been therapied out of many of them. He is still spirited and has a stubborn unique personality but he is not autistic.

2- The child is autistic but is able to gain enough skills to pass as NT. In this case the child still thinks like an autistic and may continue to at least need modifications and understanding of how they think and process the world but may appear recovered. The biggest mistake with this group of kids is to think they are "cured" and to get lax in treatment or monitoring because without supports as they get older thier struggles may start to come out again. however, with understanding and vigilance they can often function very well and pass for NT in various settings.

I don't know if the doctor was blowing smoke up your tush. I don't think he was doing it purposely. There are loads of kids who make tremendous improvements and can function very well with supports. I would rather a doctor do that than the old "put them in an institution" line parents were fed.

But truth be told, no one knows. No one knows the potential of an individual child. No one knows which child will make tremendous gains and appear to come out of it and which ones won't. I don't believe in recovery honestly. There is no full recovery. Thier brains are autistic. They can be taught a load of good skills and coping strategies but if htey are autistic they are autistic. Some just function better than others. No one can say why or point to something that works for all kids.

I have seen kids nonverbal at 3 be the top student in thier class in 3rd grade after being totally off an IEP. I have seen kids highly verbal at 3 and not qualify for special education require intensive special education in 3rd grade.

Can your son make loads of progress and have a typical childhood? Maybe, no one knows. He has a pretty good shot at it with early intervention. It is possible but it isn't definite.

Your doc is blow smoke up your tush as much as ours is about Cait not needing seizure meds past her late teens. That is what she truly hopes will happen but there is no way to know for sure. For all I know my dd may be epileptic for life and may never have a drivers licence, or she may grow out of them and be off meds by 20. No way to know for sure.

Renee

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Tue, 05-02-2006 - 9:58am

Theresa,

I agree with Renee, It is very early and very hard to tell how things will go. Nobody can tell or guess. There are no crystal balls or hard evidence either way. Basically: It's a crap shoot. All of life is.

Having said that; Both my kids have made tremendous progress with the right treatment. I think my daughter may (*may*) eventually be almost completely "asymptomatic" for want of a better word, but I definitely think my son will always have that "A" factor.

But I never know what might happen and what life might throw their way: School, middle school, high school, puberty, life events, sports. Many things go to shaping a life, and some things might shape it for the better, some things for the worse

My best advice: Take it one day at a time. Don't worry about what you can't control and concentrate instead on the here and now.

And: #1 piece of advice:
The only kid you should compare him to is his past self.

HTH

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Avatar for teerose731
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 05-02-2006 - 10:15am
Thanks - that is really great advice and I can actually do that because he has made such great strides over the past month since starting speech therpay.

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Registered: 02-20-2001
Tue, 05-02-2006 - 10:48am

Paula,


That is a great piece of advice that I havent heard before!

 


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Registered: 02-24-2004
Tue, 05-02-2006 - 4:22pm

Theresa,

I agree with the others. I just take it one day at a time....that's about all I can do. Otherwise, I'd probably lose it!!lol I concentrate on the progress and all the accomplishments that Nathan makes...and only time will tell!

((hugs))
michelle