Did you know your child was autistic?

[ManekiNeko]

I ask because I have to have my DD assessed. I spoke with someone from Autism qld who suggested it was very important that I take her to a developemental paed. I always knew she was different to other kids but I just thought she was quirky now I'm actually pretty sad thinking this is a possibility. I don't know why I feel sad as she has not been diagnosed but I guess a part of me realises it explains alot of the things I didn't understand about her.

[Grizabella]

To be honest I didn't know. I took Brion to the paed due to behavioural issues. I was very ignorant when it came to autism and automatically thought of Rainman when I thought of autism.

Don't be sad - your daughter is still the same beautiful unique child, it's just your views that have changed. I find when I found out I mourned in a way. Not for him, but for my hopes and dreams for him. It is perfectly natural to do so.

But until you get a diagnosis, leave the stressing til a little later. Always to for that later on :) :hugs:

[treasurehim]

Sorry I dont have children and cannot answer your question, but i wanted to add the following :

There is nothing to be worried about :)

Autistic children are amazing! Their talents are so fantastic, embrace them! I see autistic children every day and they always put a smile on my face. And their peers accept them like all the other kids, they don't even realise anything is out of the ordinary because all kids are different.

And if there are any challenges, then it is great that you will pick them up and be able to develop anything that needs attention.

[MyFourCubs]

Sorry I dont have children and cannot answer your question, but i wanted to add the following :

There is nothing to be worried about :)

.

Hmmmm.... while I appreciate your positivity I will say in the nicest, possible way (I hope!) that that was a very unrealistic and faintly ignorant (I'm really sorry, I couldn't think of a better word!:o) comment. I agree that autistic chidlren have wonderful traits and I would be the first to say that having an autistic child is certainly not the end of the world but I can also say first hand that there is stuff 'to worry about." Autism is not a bed of roses and while you see them everyday I also assume that you get to leave them there. having an ASD child 24/7 is a bit different. I adore my autistic son but it is hard work- emotionally, physically and financially. It is a huge diservice to say to somebody with a possible autistic child that there is "nothing to worry about."

To the OP- yes, I knew my ds had autism. It was very obvious from very early on but I ahd the benefit of him being a second child, if he were my first I would have had nothing to compare him too. I certainly wouldn't beat yourself up about not picking it up- many, many parents don't. There is every chance your dd does NOT ahve autism, just take it one step at a time, take her to the paed and see what comes of it. Cross fingers it's not ASD but even if it is there is loads of early intervention that can be done and the pp is right in that autistic children are gorgeous- they are just different and they take your life on a different route but not an altogether bad one. It's not easy but it is rewarding.:) There is an ASD chat thread if you are after more support, ideas etc.:D

[Grizabella]

^ *nods* Brion is my eldest so I had no comparison. After having my second the differences are worlds apart! Would have known for sure if he had of been my second.

[ManekiNeko]

Oh I always knew she was different to other kids just thought she was eccentric. I just feel bad because I am pretty hard on her disciplin wise because I thought she was being difficult and sooky. As a baby she rarely laughed or cooed and didn't like me holding her which is the opposite to my 4 month old DS. I was feeling increasingly guilty I enjoy him as a baby more than DD when she was. Now thinking the things that irritated me about her could be something she can't help makes me feel like I should have cared more and not thought she was just "naughty".

[Grizabella]

Oh I know that feeling! What you just wrote is exactly how I felt about Brion, especially once Toran was born.

[ManekiNeko]

The more I look at her the more signs I see and it makes me feel stupid that I either didn't notice or put it down to her being selfish or naughty. A big one is that when I am telling her she did something wrong she will look down and cover her eyes with her hands and I would always move her hand and tell her to look at me when I'm speaking to her but she still keeps doing it. I just thought she was being difficult because in general when I ask her some things she won't look at me or answer me I actually have had to physically move her head to get her to look at me sometimes. I just feel like a huge insensitive jerk now and why could I not see things that were so obvious now.

[treasurehim]

Hmmmm.... while I appreciate your positivity I will say in the nicest, possible way (I hope!) that that was a very unrealistic and faintly ignorant (I'm really sorry, I couldn't think of a better word!:o) comment. I agree that autistic chidlren have wonderful traits and I would be the first to say that having an autistic child is certainly not the end of the world but I can also say first hand that there is stuff 'to worry about." Autism is not a bed of roses and while you see them everyday I also assume that you get to leave them there. having an ASD child 24/7 is a bit different. I adore my autistic son but it is hard work- emotionally, physically and financially. It is a huge diservice to say to somebody with a possible autistic child that there is "nothing to worry about."

To the OP- yes, I knew my ds had autism. It was very obvious from very early on but I ahd the benefit of him being a second child, if he were my first I would have had nothing to compare him too. I certainly wouldn't beat yourself up about not picking it up- many, many parents don't. There is every chance your dd does NOT ahve autism, just take it one step at a time, take her to the paed and see what comes of it. Cross fingers it's not ASD but even if it is there is loads of early intervention that can be done and the pp is right in that autistic children are gorgeous- they are just different and they take your life on a different route but not an altogether bad one. It's not easy but it is rewarding.:) There is an ASD chat thread if you are after more support, ideas etc.:D

Sorry I usually go to comment, and then delete it. I shouldnt have commented on something I don't know much about. I wanted to convey how great these kids are (when I see them).
I only see them for a few hours in the day.

I'll keep my nose where it belongs in the future :)

[MyFourCubs]

The more I look at her the more signs I see and it makes me feel stupid that I either didn't notice or put it down to her being selfish or naughty. A big one is that when I am telling her she did something wrong she will look down and cover her eyes with her hands and I would always move her hand and tell her to look at me when I'm speaking to her but she still keeps doing it. I just thought she was being difficult because in general when I ask her some things she won't look at me or answer me I actually have had to physically move her head to get her to look at me sometimes. I just feel like a huge insensitive jerk now and why could I not see things that were so obvious now.

Please don't beat yourself up! Everything is better in hindsight. I too look back on things Alex did, right from a baby and it is very, very obvious that something was very wrong and so many things that scream autism but not being familiar with autism, I did not connect it. I knew there was something wrong- as I stated earlier- but I missed many very text book signs of autism that knowing what I do now, were like neon signs pointing to ASD. All you can do is do the best you can, NOW. You are a wonderful mum and your dd is very lucky to have you.:yes:


Sorry I usually go to comment, and then delete it. I shouldnt have commented on something I don't know much about. I wanted to convey how great these kids are (when I see them).
I only see them for a few hours in the day.

I'll keep my nose where it belongs in the future :)

I'm really sorry if I sounded insulting. I DID get your sentiment and I appreciated it. Your enthusiasm is a wonderful thing. I just know that you can't tell a mum with an autistic child that everything will be fine because then on the absolutley awful days when you are not coping and it all seems like a nightmare you think, "what's wrong with me? Why can't I do this? It's not suppsoed to be this hard!" As I said earlier, it is certainly not ALL abd, there are wonderful things about having a special needs child and we learn so much from them and I think they make us better people. But you have to know the ugly side of it too and be prepared for it.

I did see where you were coming from- I imagine it would be like though when I think of Downs Syndrome children and they are so gorgeous and I know chidlren with Downs who are beautiful and loving and I think "why would people terminate a child with DS? They are so beautiful!" But at the end of the day I don't HAVE a child with DS, I don't know the bad that would inevitably come with the good, I don't see how tough it is. So I try and keep my mouth closed!

No need to stay out of forums though- I hope I didn't scare you off!:hugs:

[ManekiNeko]

Please don't beat yourself up! Everything is better in hindsight. I too look back on things Alex did, right from a baby and it is very, very obvious that something was very wrong and so many things that scream autism but not being familiar with autism, I did not connect it. I knew there was something wrong- as I stated earlier- but I missed many very text book signs of autism that knowing what I do now, were like neon signs pointing to ASD. All you can do is do the best you can, NOW. You are a wonderful mum and your dd is very lucky to have you.:yes:



Thanks I guess I am just a bit upset at the moment. When I started reading things I though oh well she doesn't do that... Then as I have been watching her the past few days I realise she actually does heaps of things I didn't think she did I was just used to it I didn't think twice about it being abnormal. From my understanding from speaking with someone from Autism qld high function children on the spectrum can appear quite "normal". I keep trying to tell myself things could be far worse but it doesn't seem to make me feel better at the moment or stop me from bursting into tears lately.

[treasurehim]

I'm really sorry if I sounded insulting. I DID get your sentiment and I appreciated it. Your enthusiasm is a wonderful thing. I just know that you can't tell a mum with an autistic child that everything will be fine because then on the absolutley awful days when you are not coping and it all seems like a nightmare you think, "what's wrong with me? Why can't I do this? It's not suppsoed to be this hard!" As I said earlier, it is certainly not ALL abd, there are wonderful things about having a special needs child and we learn so much from them and I think they make us better people. But you have to know the ugly side of it too and be prepared for it.

I did see where you were coming from- I imagine it would be like though when I think of Downs Syndrome children and they are so gorgeous and I know chidlren with Downs who are beautiful and loving and I think "why would people terminate a child with DS? They are so beautiful!" But at the end of the day I don't HAVE a child with DS, I don't know the bad that would inevitably come with the good, I don't see how tough it is. So I try and keep my mouth closed!

No need to stay out of forums though- I hope I didn't scare you off!:hugs:

No no, you didn't sound insulting you made your warranted point very tactfully :)
I have seen many responses by other people (not on this thread and not to myself) very inappropriate, and yours was definately not this.
My response was not meant to be taken sarcastically at all, I am genuinely appreciative of the way you put it!

I have seen how it affects different children in different ways, and the one that I have been closest to, is now in high school and truly is a fantastic kid. He has an amazing gift in music (as well as other things) and he is the most gentle and polite teenager. BUT, I havn't been there 24/7 and seen the lengths his parents have gone to, to bring him up so well.
I guess the reason I wanted to share these positive experiences, is that from a person uneducated about autism (myself), I always thought that these children had difficult to handle behaviours, but I now know that there is other extremes and hope that others can see this.

Come on, I am too inquisitive to stay out of forums :p I didn't mean at all in a rude way when I say that I will keep my nose out... but I should really zip it in these cases :)

Thanks for not batting me down, as I have seen people do in other threads... I appreciate the tact, and your respect! And I say this with the most sincere tone :hugs:

[Lil Mamma]

I didnt know. My eldest child has autism, I took him to speech therapy just after he turned 2 because I was concerned that he wasn't talking much at that point. I had heard it was normal for some kids not to talk until 2 but I had a feeling something wasn't quite right. After a multidisciplinary assesment I was told that it was highly likely he had autism. The signs became more and more prevalent from that point. He started early intervention, speech therapy, OT and behaviour therapy shortly after this. He is now 3 and goes to his early intervention unit twice a week.

The good thing is that if she is suspected to be on the spectrum, she can start accessing early intervention services, we didn't need a diagnosis to start.

All the best :hugs:

[smog]

i always knew something was wrong with him i just never knew what. when the dr said autism it was like a slap in the face to be honest i was in disbelief .. i knew nothing at all about autism
:hugs:

[Bex]

Hi
I am trying to work out my son.

He has been refured for a spech path and a medical test for learning.

It was suggested autism. But he is affetionate (As a baby he was even clingy) He understands what I say to him and will act. When he feels like it.

When I try to sit down and teach him though. I just get no way and he gets angry or uspet.
His 2 1/2 yr old brother is taking over him in counting and almost speech.

From what I understand he doesn sound autistic. What do u think?

[lis123]

we never "knew" as such that adam was autistic......we knew he had "issues" but just thought he was a little eccentric (we had even nick-named him our eccentric little professor). My mum did point out at a very early age (like 1) that we should have him "looked at" but shrugged it off.....until he started pre school at age 3 and they pulled us aside, and told us he showed alot of autistic tendancies and we should have him assesed (one of the teachers had worked with alot of autistic children). we had him off to a pead who told us we had nothing to worry about.......time went on....he got worse, had therapies (on occasion.....cause with no dx its hard to get regular therapy)......and after a 3 year fight have only just gotten a dx at age 6!!!! We now look back on video footage of adam at age 18 months, and wonder how the hell could we have NOT known??? cause looking back its pretty bloody obvious....BUT thats only because we NOW know what we should have been looking for......hind sight is a wonderful thing!!!

[Happy2be3]

Hi Lis, was wondering if you would ever consider posting the video's of your son (at a young age, say 18 months or so) on youtube?

I have been searching for vids that clearly show "signs" of autism and most of the vids are of kids over 5 or so... anyway, just something to consider.. you would be helping alot of parents like me I think who suspect something is up with their child but just not sure what.

I suspect my sons behaviour is quite odd and I've always felt theres something "different" about him, but then the thing that always makes me think "nah, he's fine" is that he is very interactive and looks ppl in the eye very regularly:confused: follows comand etc etc..

[Poppetfish]

Lots of people do post videos of their autistic children on youtube then then take them down soon after. The negative comments are very hurtful. EG. "Your son is a ****ing retard to not respond to his name.":(

[Happy2be3]

Lots of people do post videos of their autistic children on youtube then then take them down soon after. The negative comments are very hurtful. EG. "Your son is a ****ing retard to not respond to his name.":(


Yeh :no: Its such a shame... I have noticed that.. or they will say "theres nothing wrong with your child! He/she looks normal to me!" ...
Geeze I hate reading comments like that!


Regardless of if my son ends up with a "condition" or not, Autism & Aspergers both really interest me and I am looking at possibly studying Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy one day in the future and it just hurts me to read comments that some ppl make on youtube videos.. I can only imagine what the parents of that child feel :(

[sarah79]

I knew something was different about ds when he was about 18 months. At first i thought it was just his hearing because he didn't talk much (only 3 words) made very little noise, and there is a history of hearing problems in the family. Hearing test came back fine (although i don't know how they got that as he didn't sit still the whole time we were there). His behaviours then became more obvious to me that there was something else. We finally got into speech theropy at 21 months (still saying about 5 words). Ds is now just turned 3 and we were told yeserday by a phsycologist that in her opinion he has autism or aspergers, and we jsut need to wait for a second diagnosis with a speech theropist (app is next month).