Age 2 - no words - failed M-Chat - I'm a mess

DebbieH3

DS is 23 months and has no words at all.

He's in early intervention and we are seeing a Developmental Specialist in 2 weeks. He failed the M-Chat.  I know there is a chance he may fall under the Autism Spectrum but wondering if anyone else has (is) going through what we are?

Thanks for the support!

docmay25

My ds had a huge speech delay.  He wasn't talking at 2 and when he did start talking everything was a sound: "da" meant daddy, done and down.  Then he started saying "words" but only we knew what they were..."Ama" meant open.  He did early intervention and now at 4 he has perfect speech.  Teachers are shocked that he even had a speech delay because he talks better than most kids his age. 

I know that my ds is only one example, but I just wanted to let you know that early intervention can be a great help.  You already have him in early intervention and that is great because the earlier he starts, the better. 

My nephew also falls under the spectrum and had a speech delay.  He did early intervention and still has services in public school.  But outside of the family, no one knows that he falls under the spectrum (he has Aspergers).  He is a happy, well adjusted 11 year old.

Good luck and just utilized every resource you can find.

Glendi2.0

I'm in your (almost) exact boat... DD#2 is 21 months old and has a handful of words, but she rarely uses them in a way to draw attention or engage (mostly just repeating or announcing what she's holding)- she failed the M-CHAT as well and we are off to her first evaluation for possible PDD/ASD tomorrow... it's been a little overwhelming (esp. at first- I started really addressing my concerns with her about 3 months ago), but at this point, it's almost empowering to know that if something is in fact wrong, we are taking steps early on to address it.

Where in MA are you? In/around Boston, there are SO many facilities and resources for kids with Autism and other developmental disorders, and it feels great to know I'll have options as far as her doctors and treatments go. Let me know if you'd like some of the information I gathered over the last couple of months as I did my research. Good luck, and try to take it one day at a time.

isabel68

we were just where you are about 2 months ago.  email me at isabel68@aol.com if you want to send along your number and we can chat.

you are not alone.  i blew off the first failed m-chat at 16 months because i was CONVINCED he was fine.

the second failed m-chat at 18 months sent me REELING-- I totally fell apart.  but he's getting help now and that's the most important thing.

hang in there. 

DebbieH3

Glendi:

I'm in your (almost) exact boat... DD#2 is 21 months old and has a handful of words, but she rarely uses them in a way to draw attention or engage (mostly just repeating or announcing what she's holding)- she failed the M-CHAT as well and we are off to her first evaluation for possible PDD/ASD tomorrow... it's been a little overwhelming (esp. at first- I started really addressing my concerns with her about 3 months ago), but at this point, it's almost empowering to know that if something is in fact wrong, we are taking steps early on to address it.

Where in MA are you? In/around Boston, there are SO many facilities and resources for kids with Autism and other developmental disorders, and it feels great to know I'll have options as far as her doctors and treatments go. Let me know if you'd like some of the information I gathered over the last couple of months as I did my research. Good luck, and try to take it one day at a time.

Thank you for your post! We're in Attleboro and we're going to MGH July 8th for DS to have neuropsychological/psychological testing. I would love to find out more about what's available in the area. We'll drive anywhere if it means it's going to help him. GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!! And Thanks again. My Email is dhaltom3@yahoo

rach9305

Definitely follow up with more testing, but on the flip side studies have shown that that M Chat has a high percentage of false positives (meaning that the child will fail, but be totally fine) obviously there is a chance that your dc does fall somewhere on the spectrum, but just because they don't have any words at all is not the only indicator! You are doing the best thing for your dc by investigating further and being their advocate

andreas4dogs

Hi Debbie! My son is 26 months and has 3 words. He has been in Early Intervention for a year. The only progress we have seen is with his signing (he has about 6-8 signs).

At my son's two year appointment, my pediatrician recommended I see a developmental pediatrician. It took me five months to get in but I saw a developmental pediatrician at the beginning of the month. My son has PDD NOS which is on the autism spectrum.

As of this week, my son is enrolled in a special preschool for children on the autism spectrum...

 Good luck!

DebbieH3

Thank you everyone for your posts!!!

Mysticstarz33

HI, Im in Maine and my son has ASD he is 3 1/2.  He was completely nonverbal until 6 months ago.  In addition to speech (and other therapies) we have done a lot of stuff to help out if you would l ike more info feel free to email me at mysticstarz33 AT yahoo DOT comt

Our first concern was his lack of speech and we were blown away when they first suggested ASD. 

He has come a long way though since we started down this path