Son has possible autism ?

[becks]

Hi there everyone

 

Havent posted on here before ! But thought you guys would be the best ones to ask on this subject. My son Finlay , is 29 months old and saw a specialist on Thursday. He thinks Finlay may have autism and has now referred him on for further testing, blood tests, MRI scan and then further testing. Some days we look at Finlay and think he cant have this problem, but then others we have a terrible time with him. At the mo he only speak 3 two word sentences and these are very unclear, he does our heads in with water tipping it everywhere and then this week he has started with the punching and stuff.His twin brother ( who is actually the younger one) is fine and says lots and understands and communicates very very well. Finlay wont look into your eyes, try and teach him short phrases but it isnt working ! I just wanted to know what to expect with everything and how long it takes a childs assessments , also how many of your children are able to go to normal mainstream schools ? Another question is are there many of you which have been referred for all theses further tests and then things have got better and your children have improved and nothing diagnosed.

 

On Thursday I was very distraught at having my fears partially comfirmed by a specialist and by Friday I was trying to look into future about this all. I feel very left in the air right now ! Finlay goes for his bloods on Wednesday and will probably go under sedation.

 

How many of you have gone for these blood tests something found and then been improved through medication ?

 

I would be grateful for your advice on this matter.

 

Many thanks a very sad and confused Mum right now

 

Regards

 

Rebecca

 

( Mum to Finlay and Noah 2, Violet 3, Amber 7)

 

xxx

[pearl]

Hi Becks & welcome

My lad is all growed up now (& doing well ), so I'm not up to speed with assessments etc. but I'm sure someone will be able to help.

[Mad cat lady]

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time.

 

Don't know what type of tests your son is going for but my eldest had blood tests when he was this age, it was for food allergys and factor X, at this stage they will probably be ruling things out first. So as not to make a wrong diagnosis.

 

Both my boys go to mainstream school, mini me copes fine with it, the boy not so well but we are getting there slowly.

[lynne]

 

 

All children can be different, even twins.

 

My son did not speak until he was 4 years old, and than it was only a few words.

 

He is now 11 years old and attends a normal small school. He is very funny and loving.

 

But he is autistic.

 

Just take one step at a time and see what the tests reveal. Normally they take a long time to diagnose ASD

 

 

Send some hugs <'> <'>

[Special_talent123]

Hi there everyone

 

Havent posted on here before ! But thought you guys would be the best ones to ask on this subject. My son Finlay , is 29 months old and saw a specialist on Thursday. He thinks Finlay may have autism and has now referred him on for further testing, blood tests, MRI scan and then further testing. Some days we look at Finlay and think he cant have this problem, but then others we have a terrible time with him. At the mo he only speak 3 two word sentences and these are very unclear, he does our heads in with water tipping it everywhere and then this week he has started with the punching and stuff.His twin brother ( who is actually the younger one) is fine and says lots and understands and communicates very very well. Finlay wont look into your eyes, try and teach him short phrases but it isnt working ! I just wanted to know what to expect with everything and how long it takes a childs assessments , also how many of your children are able to go to normal mainstream schools ? Another question is are there many of you which have been referred for all theses further tests and then things have got better and your children have improved and nothing diagnosed.

 

On Thursday I was very distraught at having my fears partially comfirmed by a specialist and by Friday I was trying to look into future about this all. I feel very left in the air right now ! Finlay goes for his bloods on Wednesday and will probably go under sedation.

 

How many of you have gone for these blood tests something found and then been improved through medication ?

 

I would be grateful for your advice on this matter.

 

Many thanks a very sad and confused Mum right now

 

Regards

 

Rebecca

 

( Mum to Finlay and Noah 2, Violet 3, Amber 7)

xxx

 

 

 

didnt have any of those tests because they havent found the answer of how it was caused. i was diagnosed through a paeditriician he went through paper work asking mum questions if i have difficulties in those areas the 2nd attempt i fitted in autism.

 

i would like to say that medication doesnt cure autism. if he has autism it means it is lifelong but if he is diagnosed earlier it would help to help u to prepare himself when things arises and when he grow up he could grow into an adult with autism but would learnt of how to deal with some difficulties. unfornately i was diagnosed at a late age it caused great difficulty for me to cope with havin it and it was difficult to cope with my difficulties but im still trying to learn about myself.

 

im in the classic side which means i can talk but i struggle to communicate and interact with things. there are different kinds of autism ranging up to aspergers but if it was me i dont like labels i just like to see things that it is a gift that has been given to me like as in if i got an obsession im able to use that skills to do the things i want to do.

 

it maybe hard to accept they hhave but it will in time.

 

i came across a website called the National Autistic Society that help me a great deal. maybe u want to come across that website. there really good.

 

hope everything goes well

 

take care

 

[JsMum]

 

 

Hi, when my son was around 8 or 9yrs old he had his bloods tested but not for a chromosome test, instead the hospital consultant tested my bloods to see if I was a carrier of FRAGILE X, the symptoms can include Autism, Learning Disabilities and sometimes facial differences, I was Negative, meaning J didnt have Fragile X.

 

J had speech and language development delay as a toddler and has now been dx as having severe social and communication impairments, he has learning difficulties and ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder, and features of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder, my son is nearly 12yrs old and in a special school now, he has access to speech and language, Teaching staff that have experience in ASD and ADHDs, and other behavioural management, he does take melatonin that can help with sleep, and he is doing much better over the years, he uses widgits a software communication aid and I have had a lot of support from many organisations and of course lots of support from here.

 

I absaloutly do recommend Contact a family for additional support as the road to a diagnosis is very overwelming, and I really do get a great sence of reliefe when parents/carers come to forums like these as you can gain further support and understanding.

 

National autistic Society have a lot of information on Autism also do do look at there website also.

 

It is scarey but having an understanding and having lots of different ideas can really give you hope and strength.

 

There will be lots of further advice if you feel you need it to access speech and language therapy, specialist teaching and learning enviroment, my son had too many years where his needs were not met impacting on his behaviour and mental health, early assessments, early understanding of what could be the cause, will help enormously.

 

Hope we can help support you throw this.

 

Warm welcome.

 

JsMum

[NickyB]

Hi Rebecca. Sending you lots of these <'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

 

My son was diagnosed when he was 3 (he's now 6) - we had concerns from very early, mainly due to his lack of speech and interaction. He was referred to a speech and language therapist when he was 2. She then referred him on to the ASD specialist. We went to 2 assessments with her before she diagnosed high-functioning autism. All in all, it took about 10 months.

It is a daunting process, and the diagnosis came as a relief, but it also left us feeling shocked and scared. However, we have learned to take each day as it comes and try to focus on his strengths - he is an amazing, intelligent, funny little boy.

 

It's a very emotional and confusing time, so look after yourself and take care.

 

Nicky x

[Mad cat lady]

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time.

 

Don't know what type of tests your son is going for but my eldest had blood tests when he was this age, it was for food allergys and factor X, at this stage they will probably be ruling things out first. So as not to make a wrong diagnosis.

 

Both my boys go to mainstream school, mini me copes fine with it, the boy not so well but we are getting there slowly.

 

Factor X should read as Fragile X, (I thought this was wrong when I typed it, but couldn't think why!!!, thanks to J's mum for mentioning it in her post or I would still be wrong)

[smiley1590]

your son oviously has speech and communciation difficulties which can be a sign of autism he sounds classic autism! is he delayed in any other areas? does he just point and makes sounds at things he wants and needs? i would get in touch with NAS by email or phone and explain your personal situation and they will be able to give practical advice of getting him SLT! and using PECS system get him assessed! good luck with you and your son! hope find answers you looking for! hope you get the help and support you both need!

 

alot of parents feel sad and confused about the whole process and range of feelings thoughts and emotions you are put through! i had SL difficulties like your son i was years later found out i had AS before (but i also have dyspraxia) which i now know can both impair SL together! part of effects of having it!

 

i can now talk fine verbalise though i stutter and struggle with sentence structure but part from that i look 'mainstream' alot people 'fooled' by how well i cope and manage so anything is possible little steps at time i been further education for 3 years so can be done dreams and ambitions outweight heartache pain hurt be keep up with finding answers the sooner you know what's going on for you and him the better for both of you i know from personal experience!

 

wish your son happiness and success in whatever he achieves!

 

XKLX

[smiley1590]

won't look into your eyes -avoiding eye contact is also an autistic sign as we find it uncomfortable and cause us great stress and anxiety when we try too! what other signs is he showing? i would research autism as a whole on here search engines and read up on books with parents with child with an ASD! the more information you have behind this the more you can really work out whether this 'fits' your son picture that is missing at the moment! tipping water sounds like other autistic type behaviour? does he go OCD about water? he may not understand why he does this himself! i went normal mainstream education all way through!

 

blood tests and MRI scan can determine whether he has ASD or related disorders! the only one that can be tested is congentical like fragile X syndrome!

 

i would get doctor to refer him to professionals how can assess him properly and may find out what's realy underneath all this! like clincial pyscholgist and have social worker to help with support with family!

 

 

[A and A]

Hi Rebecca. Sending you lots of these <'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

 

My son was diagnosed when he was 3 (he's now 6) - we had concerns from very early, mainly due to his lack of speech and interaction. He was referred to a speech and language therapist when he was 2. She then referred him on to the ASD specialist. We went to 2 assessments with her before she diagnosed high-functioning autism. All in all, it took about 10 months.

It is a daunting process, and the diagnosis came as a relief, but it also left us feeling shocked and scared. However, we have learned to take each day as it comes and try to focus on his strengths - he is an amazing, intelligent, funny little boy.

 

It's a very emotional and confusing time, so look after yourself and take care.

 

Nicky x

Hi there we have a lovely little boy who will be three in October he is showing the signs of an autistic child and he has been referred for speech and language therapy and physiotherapy and we have got an appointment with a community paediatrician at our local child development centre, what I am now worried about is what tests Liam will have to go through. What did the 2 assessments consist of that you went to.

 

Worried mum and dad to Liam

[mossgrove]

The difficult thing about diagnosing Autism is that there is no test. The Blood test and MRI may be happening to rule other things out, but they cannot tell you if a child is Autistic or not.

 

Diagnosis can only me made via observation and talking to parents, carers etc. to see if a child's behaviours meet the criteria. I can be a scary and bewildering process but it is important to remeber that your child isn't being taken away and replaced by an Autistic one. They are the same special child before AND after the process.

 

 

Good Luck!

 

Simon

[cmuir]

Hi

 

I think the first thing is to prepare yourself what an emotional rollercoaster-type experience (as your're starting to discover). My son is 7 now and was diagnosed at 4.5. I knew that something wasn't quite right early on, but it took years to get anyone to listen and then years of being passed from pillar to post before finally getting a dignosis.

 

I think it's very positive that a specialist is considering autism. Hopefully things will move in the right direction quickly and you'll know one way or another soon.

 

I think the best piece of advice to give is to take a few days/weeks/months at a time. Try not to look too far ahead. I tend to do that and find myself getting bogged down and depressed. If your child turns out to be autistic, sure it's not going to be easy, but it's not all bad either. When R brings me home a painting, my eyes fill up because I know he's put so much more effort into it that his peers (he's currently in a mainstream school). Whilst I do wish he didn't has Aspergers, I still love him dearly - probably more so because I know he needs me.

 

Other thing I would say is that in terms of schooling, etc it all very much depends upon how high or low the child is on the spectrum whether a child is best placed in a mainstream or special school environment. That said, I do believe in early intervention particularly when a child is very young (when the brain is still developing).

 

Lastly, you've come to the right place because we all know what you're going through. I think you'll find the forum a great source of support, help and advice.

 

Caroline.