My eight year old son was recently diagnosed with Autism. I hear all of these stories about vaccines, and I don't discount them at all. I feel that this may be the case for some people. However, I do not feel that this applies to our situation. I saw on the news that they are looking into misdiagnosis of Autism in kids that have seizures but don't show signs of it. I still don't think this is us. I do know that Trae was only four pounds when he was born. When he couldn't sit up in a shopping cart at almost six months old, I took him to see a neurologist. The neurologist was grim. He told me that most likely Trae had cerebral palsey. He couldn't tell me if my little guy would ever sit up or walk at all, he just couldn't diagnose for sure at this age.... thank God, Trae did walk, run, and rides bikes like a maniac. As he finally hit milestones, they chalked it up to him just being a preemie. Then, especially once he started school, his frustration started, he never made eye contact, spoke, but inappropriately. He was finally diagnosed a few months ago. I still feel like this is really neurologically connected with my son. Sorry to make it so drawn out, but was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences....

Thanks so much!

Lindsey

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but how comfortable do you feel with it or the doc? In the 10 years I have beeen dealing with this I have never heard of an older child having these types of regressive behaviors;however my son is now starting to show some of these again at his age. I thought I was imaging this but maybe I am not. Getting back to you---if you are at the beginning of all this-get yourself to the nearest large metropolitian hospital that specializes in children and have a full neuroligical workup,pysch evaluation and autism screening. It has beeen my experience that you should start with the big city hospitals first,even if it means exstensive travel then work backwards(if you can) to those who can help locally.I wish we had done this at the beginning, but of course, as everyone feels, we are all wondering in the dark. I don't know where you are from ,but on the east coast of the usa Kennedy Kreegier Institute in Baltimore Maryland has beeen great for us. It is one of the premiere autism and

neurological centers. It think there is one in Houston Texas,also.

Anything else I can help you with?

Lindsey