Hi Im new, and I am the mother of an 18 month old boy. My son has been being looked at by neurologists, and is involved with early intervention. I dont know what to think at this moment, because the Dr's dont want to diagnose him with anything because of his age. Saying that it is to early to tell. And me being a mother I want answers so I can help him, and learn more about his life and find ways to help him. I know he is just a baby, but at 18 months the only milestone that were on time were walking and crawling. He still doesnt eat REAL food, only thin baby foods with no texture, and pediasure. He flapps his hands to every thing that spins, and spins everything. While he flaps he also holds his breath. He wont step over cracks in the ground out side without bending down and touching it first. He still dont talk, and he had his first seizure last week. I feel lost because I wanna know whats going on and I feel like Im not getting any answers from anyone.
You aren't getting answers because none can be given. Its like being pregnant and wanting to know the gender of the baby, if a doctor can't tell you, they can't.
If a doctor who knows the child cannot tell you, then people on a forum certainly can't either.
Sad, but true.
Do you have any other children?
Hes not my first child... And I wasnt asking for someone on a forum to diagnose my son. Not what I was talking about at all. I was venting because to know there is something wrong, and not have answers is frustrating. Example... I cant find day care for my son. Normal centers will not take him because of his needs. But ones for special needs children wont either because he is not diagnosed. I have to work, I cant collect SSI because he is not diagnosed. Now I have the problem of who can take care of him. Im looking for advise... Exactly as I posted..Advise Please.. And the doctors do know there is something definatly going on, but to what extent they cant tell me. Thats how I got involved with early intervention services.
I assume you are in the USA. The system is similar here in the UK.
It's one battle after the other. If your son gets a diagnosis you then have the battle of getting services, then a good school, and so on.
Try and take it one step at a time, and pace yourself emotionally, because its a marathon run. In the UK a lot of children can't get help like SSI until they are five, even with a diagnosis.
Are you getting support from your family?
There is a guy named Gabe who learnt to eat with ABA, I'll look up his mother's website for you.
Please do not promote ABA
Well he is working with an Early Intervention Team of theropists. They are going to start theropy with him once a week. For the feeding issues we are going to start using a NUK brush, as a theropy tool.
We actually had an meeting yesterday, and they have some more things they want me to start doing with him.
As far as my other child. Shes wonerful. She is advanced. And she takes care of her brother almost like a little mommy. She is 3.
She worries about him, she really is great.
I assume you are in the USA.
And yes Im am in the US. And Im not sure how old he will have to be to get SSI, I think it varies here. I pretty sure I would be able to get it for him, because kids with BI-polar here can get on it.
If he gets diagnosed, then you should be able to apply for help, as you know, the problem is the time it takes to get an accurate diagnosis.
A lot of those behaviours certainly sound like they are autistic, that's for certain.