Hello, new here & just beginning...

My Name is Melissa and I am the Mommy of a wonderful little 3 year old boy named Nate. We are currently in the beginning stages of screening and testing, so I'm pretty new to all of this. We do not officially have a diagnosis yet, but I have heard that it can take awhile to actually receive one. I have a feeling that he will be diagnosed with either Asperger's or PDD-NOS, but again, we currently do not have an official diagnosis. We are also working on getting him into a Title 1 preschool next fall, which will work with him 5 days a week, and give him 2 good years before kindergarten to help him actually be able to enter into the regular school system with other kids. The only drawback is that they have a waiting list and limited spots, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed there.

What I do know is that Nate is such a sweetheart, he is very loving with us(his parents) and with a few other family members and friends. He is funny and loves to laugh and be silly and he is also quite a smarty. He's pretty handsome too - just had to throw that in, LOL! He definitely has echolalia, pretty much just a little parrot, but whenever he does use his own words he seems as amazed at himself as we are. He spins on occasion, but will usually stop when asked, and sometimes just laughs about it like he meant to spin for fun, but I do know that spinning is a symptomatc trait. He is VERY obsessed with logos and signs and just amazes us at some of the things he can point out and name, especially when we never told him what the sign or logo was. He also loves numbers, loves music and has good motor skills. He can sing songs and really carries a tune spot on, but just can't talk to anyone unless echoing them or uttering very very simple requests("more juice", etc...) He is terrified of haircuts and doctors no matter how kind they are. His eye contact is low, but getting better as we work with him. I can tell it bothers him to look us in the eye for more than a few seconds though. I thankfully don't see him regressing in any way, mostly see him making progressions, but I hope he won't start regressing at some point or reach a plateau and stop. He is very proud of any accomplishments he makes, his little face just lights up! He tries very hard, especially to talk with us, and I just feel like if he can ever make the connection of how to talk and act with others, that it will be like a lightbulb turning on for him and he will just run with it. I just would love to be able to have a conversation with him someday that does not involve him echoing me. I worry about his place in the world bc although he seems to like other people and tries to interact sometimes, he just doesn't know how to talk to them or act around them after he initially says hello. He likes other children, but again, after saying hello and playing with them a little - he generally plays alongside them once they realize that he can't really talk to them. That's ok for now at this age, but I worry that someday when the differences are more noticeable to his peers, that he may be outcast or bullied, and that would break my heart.

I wish so badly for a good future for him - for him to have friends, and girlfriends, and an education and career, good times and good experiences, a family of his own someday, and just basically a shot at a regular life like any child deserves.

Anyway, my goodness I sure rambled, but really just trying to give a good description of our little Nate the Great, and to introduce myself and say that I am looking forward to any comments, advice and support out there.

Thanks! Take care -Melissa

I am shell mum of 6 four with autism

I also have Aspergers syndrome.

let me know if you need anything

shell