I wrote this on parent soup board but have not gotten a responds. I am hoping someone on this board can help with my questions. TIA..
My dd is 7 years old and is just finishing first grade. Yesterday I had a meeting with my dd’s classroom teacher, dd’s speech teacher, school psychologist, and special ed. teacher. We completed a CARS = childhood autism rating scale on my dd. Her total score was 35, range mildly to moderately autistic. This is not a surprise to me. Actually it is a relive. It looks like my dd is own her way in receiving help that she needs to learn.
I have a few questions. Is autism a genetic disorder? If it is my insurance will cover O.T. Right now my dd is seeing a behaviorist. The behaviorist has diagnosed my dd with ADD inactive. Should I change and see a developmental pediatrist? I like the behaviorist but every time I mention that my dd has autistic tendencies he seems to have a wait and see attitude. I hope that makes sense.
Another question is about family members. My in-law. I love them very much and they are wonderful people. But they just act like it is just horrible to label my dd. I told them that the school has to label her. She has to be label to get help. My mother-in-law is especial worried. I told her that my dd will more and likely be going to resource next year. I am overjoyed about this. She feels my dd will not be “challenged enough”. ( SIDE NOTE: My dd grades are very inconstant. The teacher asked me yesterday if I consider holding her back. We all decided since she will be attending resource next year, she should continue to second grade.) She keeps telling me how smart dd is. I hate talking to them about it and told my husband yesterday that it is his job now to inform them on what is going on. Has anyone been though this?
Thanks you everyone,
Jen.
(My dd has also been tested for ld. The test results were normal, she doesn’t have ld.)
NEVER TAKE A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE REGARDING AUTISTIC SPECTR
I agree with everything Lisa said. My autistic son also began early intervention when he was 2 years old an he’s doing great. Remember that everyone’s mind works differently and it’s the differences that make the human race evolve. If we all thought alike, what would the world be like today? Who would have invented the lightbulb? It may be one of our children that invents something that will save our planet someday. Or maybe they will just inspire someone to love a little more. A DX from a respected developmental pediatric specialist can help your child in the long run. Your insurance should pay for that but you may need a referal from her pediatrician.
Re: NEVER TAKE A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE REGARDING AUTISTIC SP
I agree. Under no circumstances would I accept this diagnosis from a school without outside evaluation by a specialist. You will need that kind of evaluation to get appropriate services from the school and you may need outside therapy as well.
Janis
There is no 1 known cause for the Autism spectrum disorders, there are several theories. Some individuals who fall on the spectrum seem to have a genetic component with other family members being affected with similar issues. It is believed that some individuals autism is caused by injury caused by vaccine. Other individuals have co-morbid disorders that seem to go along with it. It is very difficult to sort out what causes any one individual to get it. Usually an individual dx’d with this type of disorder is recommended to under go lab work to see if their is an identifiable cause. When my son was identified they did a karatype and checked for fragile-X. We do have a very strong family history of disorders of cognitive function.
As for the labeling part and your relatives being uncomfortable with it just remember they are not the ones who have to raise this child. It will fall to you and your husband to advocate what is best for her. You may try sitting down with them and explaining the difference of services with a label vs. no label makes. You can share with them that the earlier the intervention the better the outcome. My guess is they fear the label-if you see the media they usually only show the most extreme of cases. Most individuals unless they know someone on the spectrum does not know much about it. My son like your daughter has an average IQ so people say he can’t be Austic he is not retared. He is not flapping his hands wildly so he cant be, ect. These students can be very smart but one of their hallmarks is how inconstitant they are. The nueropsych currently seeing my son days that teachers find this aspect very difficult to deal with. My son can do complex math problems in his head if you ask him verbally but if he sees the same problem on paper forget it. Somedays he seems to be solidly in and our world and other days you wonder what far world he is off into. He has been in interventive services since age 2. When he started he was considered severly austic-he head banged, spun himself, was fascinated by spinning objects, would stare at lights, had no eye contact, had no speech, had self-injurious behavior, you could talk to him and he would not be there. The experts proclaimed “you will be lucky if he potty trains by 5 and if he ever gets any speech skills.” We requested services based on label and he has improved greatly. He is in a self-contained 3rd grade class, he can read at a second grade level, have a simple converstation, care for himself including making food for himself (knows how to use the microwave) and so many more things. What I am trying to tell you is listen to what the experts have to say but do not take it to heart, listen to yours. You are with her more then anyone else and know what she can and can’t do. Sorry this was so long. Good luck to you and your daughter.