I am so confused

Before I lose my sanity.

it all depwnds on what level off autism he has

The Autistic Spectrum + Lorna wing is an excellent book

Multycolored Mayhrm Jaqiue Jackson

The autistic spectrim Chantelle Sicille kira

love shell

Kris

I just wanted to offer my support to you. I know what this feels like, waiting for your child's appointment to see if they are cursed with autism or not. I've been there twice. This is a confusing and overwhelming time. I can testify to that. One of the main reasons why this is such a hard thing to diagnose is that all children present their symptoms differently. Both of my children on the Autism Spectrum have very different symptoms.

The first thing I will say to you is try not to think of Autism as a curse. If your child has Autism, it is not going to be the end of the world. Though it may feel like it at the beginning and occasionally down the road a little way, know that there is so much information available to you know. There are many treatment options to explore but now may not be the right time since there is so much emotion involved. I hope I don't sound crass by saying this but you have two choices, you can become a "victim" and feel sorry about it and just let everyone else take the wheel to decide where your son will wind up later on in his life or you can take control if you get the diagnosis and arm yourself with knowledge and put your trust in God who created your child and has allowed this to happen as part of His plan for your son's life. Many children with agressive early intervention and biomedical treatments are losing their autism diagnosis even in cases where a child has been diagnosed with classic autism. Do not lose hope and faith. They are your best weapons.

I know that not everyone on here and in the world believes in God and is a Christian, but I don't know how anyone can get through this without God.

Anyway, My point in being so blunt (and I do apologize if I have hurt yours or anyone else's feelings- really), but I just think it is important to know that the best chance you have for healing your son is to get started as soon as possible. That "window" that everyone talks about is essential for your child. It is open from birth until about 5 years old (I think) but it becomes a major problem if you let your feelings of anger overcome your willingness to get you son help by the time they are five years old. So getting back up after the fall and dusting yourself off again is the key. You and you alone are the best advocate for your child. No one else can do it better than you. Spend as much time with them as you can. Build a support group around yourself from this and other websites but also with real people who know and love your son. You will need them- not only to share your sorrows but also to share every single triumph and victory that your son accomplishes!

One thing that Autism has done for me is just helped me not take anything for granted and to appreciate the simple things in life.

I will pray for you. Like I said, I know what this is like. If you want a little more info on my personal story, visit this link:

www.associatedcontent.com/article/412250/ controversy_healing_autism.html

I know that it was all over TV but I am about half way through it and I think she does a great job at describing a parent's perspective.

And at my mom's suggestion I thought about how I felt when he was diagnosed and how little I knew at first. I think it's good that she's become so informed and is trying to push it into the mainstream. She's definetly not the first person to write a book like this but reading it so far has brought it to light in a different perspective. I haven't finished it yet, but I think it's worth it.

She has great resources in there. She and I follow the same wave length. Would I like to see my son and daughter completely cured of their symptoms...sure, sometimes, but I'm also realistic in knowing that perhaps that will not happen. I can tell you that I have seen dramatic improvements in my daughter in my son has surprised everyone (all of the medical professions on board with his treatments). He is talked about amongst the group as far as how much he has accomplished compared to what they thought he would be stuck in forever. These treatments for us have included biomedical treatments (in the natural form...cheaper and I think more effective) due to tests that have confirmed a lot of issues within his body that are contributing to his "fogginess". He had about 25 words when he was diagnosed last year, functioning as a 3 year old at a 12- 15 month level. He is now four and is functioning at a 45 month old (about 3 3/4 yrs old according to the charts/tests). He puts together full sentences now, makes consistant eye contact, has short conversations, expresses his needs/wants, points, is very independent and is very very musically inclined. All I am saying is that improvements can be made, and as a mom, if I had sat back and accepted everyone elses " Your child is doomed for life and will never make any improvements at all" speech....we would certainly not be where we are today.

Besides that, I would never consider putting my babies in a home, nor would I allow anyone else to talk like that about my child. I think that very train of thought is so damaging. I wish family members would follow the "Bambi" rule..."If you don't have anything nice (or of value) to say, don't say anything at all.". My in-laws hindered my sons ability to improve for a while because they were so in denial about his condition too. they thought he is super-duper smart and just won't talk because he's as smart as Einstein and is going to be a physicist, mechanic or engineer. That was very damaging to me to the point where it took me a full 18 months longer to get him screened for autism. All that time, he could have been involved in therapy to foster his development. I think that family having reactions and feelings are to be expected. Unfortunately, sometimes they drive us nuts in the process.

It gives reading material, you can download screenings and evaluations and it gives you questions to make sure your doctor asks.

Also, you might want to check out www.foggyrock.com

It is an autism site with a great resource library that is all online.

My best-

Post edited by: Ahsan, at: 11/09/2007 21:15