Never one to just "wait"...

February 2, 2009

So, I'm not really one to wait around the 2 months until my son can go to the coordinated treatment center and get his formal dx. I looked up the screen they used on him and he really, really failed. There are 23 questions... 6 critical. He failed 5 of 6 critical and 9 others (you need to be further evaluated if you fail ONE critical or three total - again he failed 5 critical, 14 total). I was scared, but I'm over it. Now I just want to do something to help my son.

So, I'm looking up PDD and autistic tendencies (not a useful dx) on the internet and... those are both VERY mellow as compared to what my child is dealing with... very mellow. He is much more like a "classically" autistic kid. No eye contact, no words, no meaningful interaction, hates to be held, etc.

On to my point! Since Tucker is dealing with several dx (pre-natal exposure, traumatic brain injury and now this) how does one choose treatment. Honestly, I would like to try the ABA treatment but I think of how much time and energy it will take away from my other daughter and I'm not sure that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. But, then I think what if that choice to NOT do it is the difference between Tucker being able to function independently as an adult or not?

I'm rambling... any advice out there?

Has anyone done ABA treatment successfully or not?

AlexzandersMom

February 8, 2009

I just got done ready your other post so I don't know if this will be useful or not but here it goes.

There is an online test you could use to get some answers. Visit [url=http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html]Childbrain.com - PDD assessment scale/screening questionnaire[/url]

They can't give you a diagnosis but can give you an idea of whether or not your son is on the spectrum. My son was diagnosed is July and we are waiting to start ABA, but I have heard alot of good things about ABA. I have also heard alot of good things about the different diets and suppliments you could try. If you have any more questions pm me.

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rottymom

February 9, 2009

I haven't read your other post nor do I know ABA is, but my fs was seen at 15 months and was said to be borderline autistic (basically too young to diagnose). I was told to start now what I would do if he were autistic. We forced sign language, force finger pointed, did lots of one on one recipical play with eye contact games (that was exhausting!) and held him against his will. Now at 20 months he is being recipical on his own...he is trying to talk, he is having eye contact on his own. Now I am not sure if this means our hard work is paying off or he never was autistic but I would like to believe it was our hard work. My therapist told me she read an article about autistics learning how to enjoy normal human interactions and it starts young with all the things we have been doing. It gives me hope.

athikers

February 9, 2009

Thanks :)

Though the school has said they don't believe my son is autistic, he hasn't seen an MD about it yet, so we'll see.

We are also doing lots and lots of forced interaction and it really seems to be helping. We are trying to get the finger pointing, but so far, no go... we'll keep working at it.

We have chosen (like you) to treat him as if he is autistic - since he is socially disabled one way or the other I'm sure its not "hurting" anything.

We continue to see small gains each day with kiddo. Today, he handed me a toy (seems minor, but he's NEVER done that) and threw a ball to his daddy! Overhand!

cksmom

February 12, 2009

My son is 5 and considered severely affected by ASD since he is non-verbal. Speech therapy did squat for him but ABA? LOVE IT!!!!!!! he has learned more in 4 months of ABA than 2 years of preschool alone. he is doing wonderfully with only receiving 4.5 hours per week at home. His school schedule does not allow for more ABA but this summer we hope to crank up his hours. We started late and I'm not sure how old your son is but it works. I have friends with kiddos that started ABA at 14-18 months and are now mainstreamed into a regular class in elem school and some have not even disclosed the dx to the schools. I would consider that "recovered". the younger the better for ABA.

Financially, it's killing but we are trying to hold on until our state passes an insurance bill mandating coverage by all carriers. Some states have already passed this bill.

For the record, most school districts will not accept just hearing from the parents their child is autistic because then they would need to provide more services legally. A medical dx from a qualified professional is usually the key to getting the SD on board. Know your rights for special education. here is a good site:

[url=http://www.wrightslaw.com/]Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy[/url]