Where to go from here?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Where to go from here?
5
Sun, 12-09-2007 - 1:26am

So, I have always said my son Aiden (6) has a lot of autistic tendencies, but is NOT on the spectrum.

- Christina mom to-

Chloe (10)    Aiden(8)   

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 12-09-2007 - 10:26am

Christina,

It is good to hear from you but not with this kind of stuff. (((HUGS)))

The only thing I can think of with this is that we delayed Mike's diagnosis because he was more affectionate and because we thought we were just seeing things because of Cait. In other words we didn't want to diagnose him just because his sister was and we were rushing into things. It was a mistake on our part with him.

Aidan is having some struggles in school so regardless if it is ASD or something else it needs to be addressed so you are going to want to find out if it is AS or not. Some kids are hard to pin down like Dave who has a lot of autistic tendancies but isn't. BUT Dave makes friends very easily, is able to learn the skills to hold it together in school without tons of intervention, and understands other peoples point of view. we did do an IEP with behavior plan in preschool/kindie but that was all it took. That and understanding/flexible teachers. It sounds like Aidan is continuing to struggle anyway.

Start with the online PDD assessment thingie http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html

Honestly list all his strengths and challenges as objectively as you can. Work samples, notes from the teacher, etc. Then get an eval.

How do you feel about the doc who sees/diagnosed Chloe? Since that person already knows your family history it would be a good place to start if you trust them.

I am trying to think back to when I met Aidan if I saw any tendancies. However, it would be really hard to say, they were on best behavior and playing outside and I wasn't looking. I am sure it would have been completely different in a crowded or confusing/stressful type environment.

((((HUGS))))) Again, I know this is not what you needed. AS tends to have a strong genetic component and it is common to have more than one so I would at least get him evaluated.

Renee

PS, thanks for the email. I needed one this am.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Sun, 12-09-2007 - 1:51pm

Christina-


I'll second the hugs that Renee sent your way, and will also reiterate the idea that kids on the spectrum can be extremely affectionate.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Sun, 12-09-2007 - 2:10pm

Hi Christina,

Remember me from the bp board?? It's funny reading your post as it could have been mine a year ago. Liam (7) is my most impacted and also aggressive. (We are on yet another med trial,....sigh). We always thought Cian (4) was the stepford baby. Slept well, ate well, didn't melt over everything. Then age 4 hit, and it became obvious the few oddities that we often poo pooed were in fact indicative of something. First we though the speech delay was ear infection related. Then we thought he was emulating his older brother's behavior. (Except Liam didn't line things up and Cian does....duh). So we had him tested by the school twice; lots of little issues were discovered, (speech, OT, social adaptive) but no one was willing to actually say ASD.

Then I bit the bullet and took him to a psychologist who specialized in ASD and bp kids. Yup, Cian has a dx of Aspergers and Add (inattentive type). And honestly Cian is very mildy Aspie, but as he gets older the issues do increase with him.

My instinct is to say trust your instincts. Get the school to assess him; make them do their job. I know how tough it is with all these spec needs babies in your life; know you're not alone. Heck, I'm half waiting to see what Roan (1) is going to throw at me, lol.

Dee

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APOV on Autism
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sun, 12-09-2007 - 4:54pm

Christina,


I too have to ditto what Renee said.


If you suspect there is anything up,

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2007
Mon, 12-10-2007 - 3:58pm

Christina,

{{{HUGS}}} I also thought my DS Justin was not PDD or ASD because he is so affectionate and empathetic. But I realized after talking to the child psychologist who evaluated him that kids in these categories can be. So I would second what others have said and get the school to evaluate him Write them a letter that you are concerned about his behavior that interferes with his or others' educational process (remember that education does not just mean academic; it includes social, developmental, and functioning/adaptive skills), and that you want the school to evaluate him for services and any special education based on IDEA.

-- Innie

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