Intro - 3yo just diagnosed with autism and speech delays

rmaxim

Hey everyone, just wanted to make an intro here because I'll probably be frequenting this board a lot in the future!

Yesterday we had our first formal evaluation done on our oldest son, who will be turning 3 in a couple weeks. We had suspected it for the past several months but were assured by his pediatrician that his development was "normal". Then I had our daughter in December, and it took a little while to get around to pushing the issue. But things have suddenly come to a head!

His repetitive behavior was getting more distinct, his language difficulties seemed more apparent, and I contacted the center for autism research at Johns Hopkins (we live in MD) for evaluation. Their waiting list was 6-8 months(!) but they did recommend him for evaluation based on a questionnaire, so I went ahead and insisted on an consultation appointment with our pediatrician to see if there was anything we could do in the meantime. This time he saw a different doctor at our practice, and she said that yes, she believes that he is at least "on the spectrum". Incidentally, I was contacted the next day about DS participating in a study at Hopkins, which is basically a 4-day/week preschool program and involved evaluation as part of the screening process.

We had the evaluation done yesterday, the evaluator scored him for language development and did the ADOS, he scored on the scale for autistm and was accepted to the study. She evaluated his language development at 24 months for verbal and 27 months for receptive.

Whew, sorry this is so long and thanks for sticking with me! I'm so overwhelmed right now. I'm so happy to have a real answer, but so concerned about his future.

I am most likely going to quit my day job and become a SAHM so I can spend more time with him (something I've wanted to do for awhile anyway) and take him to this study/preschool program which will be a 1hr commute each way, 4 days a week, for 5 months. 

I'd appreciate any recommendations for books and resources. We've registered with our County for their programs, and I read "Ten Things Your Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" last night. 

bumpuser511563

Well I want to say welcome to our board!

I have read "Ten Things Your Child With Autism Wishes You Knew." Our Autism Society Chairperson gave it to me when I first met her. I have given copies of it out to our daycare.

I don't know of any b

lite-bright

Hi and welcome to the board. We're a really supportive bunch and many of us have been where you are. My DD1 was dx'd at three with ASD. 

I found the 100 Days kit from Autism Speaks to be really helpful -- it's a general roadmap of things to

rmaxim

Thank you both! I've downloaded the kit and will read it ASAP!

irishbaby0708

Hi - Sounds like were in the same situation.  My Lo was dx a few months ago and I was basically told the same thing by our pedi but, pushed it too.  My son recently started full day autistic preschool 5 days a week and we started him on new vita

KelleyBean

Jumping in here...we are headed in that direction as well. We are in the EI panel eval process and our pedi has referred us to the developmental pedi. DS is 2.5. The process is really difficult but I'm starting to read everything I can get my hands on. Go

pastalady

Welcome! My almost 4 year old DD has ASD as well. I liked a Mom's Guide to Autism. It had lots of practical advice. My husband has Asperger's but we were still blind sighted by DD's diagnosis. This last year has been great though. The preschool for your s