Aspies For Freedom

Full Version: I'm new, and I do have a minor dilemma
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Hi!  I have been enoying reading these posts.

I have an almost 4 year old daughter who was diagnosed with PDD-NOS last year.  I also have 20 month old son who is also developmentally delayed but we do not think it is AS.

My dilemma (sp?) is that a aquaintenance (again, spelling?) 2 year old was "diagnosed" by a speech therapist as autistic.  She asked me for advice via YIM, and while I tried she seems to have a very different approach then I can support.  I urged her to have him assessed by a developmental pediatrician or psychologist, and have throrough ST and OT assessment so they can see where he needs extra help.  Instead she seems focused on going from what this so-called ST said and recovering her child.  Even though it will bankrupt her she going ahead with ABA and DAN protocol, even considering chelation!  For a 2 year old!  

What else made me angry is when she asked me about my daughter and if her diagosis if it "just broke my heart?"  Umm, yes, it is overwhelming at times, and I want to help my children as much as possible to lead a happy life however they define it, but DD and AS is not heartbreakingly sad in any way.  It just is what it is.

I just reiterated that she needs to do the assessment first because there are a couple of medical conditions that can mimic autism, suggested some general books, and have not returned any of her YIMs since.  I feel like I should have raked her over the coals  and been more forceful but I thought it wouldn't have made a difference.  *sigh*
The speech therapist is being irresponsible if they have recommended such action from an unofficial diagnosis.
But your friend sounds so crazy that maybe the speech therapist only said a 'maybe' and she has dreamed up the rest of the scheme herself.

There is a lot of drama in the media about autism, and she may be getting caught up in the hype, very foolishly.

I would give her a piece of mind.
Your heart is still whole and not bleeding as far as I can see.

I don't know about your acquaintance, but it seems she is running scared. She will have a brighter future if she accepts her child as he is, as he could not have been born any other way.

Speech therapists should stick to speech.
I agree.
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