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I think I am ready.
I wanted to post a follow up to Monks eval, but I have put it off and put it off thinking that what I have been told will go away. Monk was diagnosed with mild Autism. He is young for a diagnosis, and by state standards is not eligible for some of the grant programs they offer until he is three. We are getting started soon with speech and language and some occupational therapy, and the prognosis seems positive and he should enter kindergarten with his neurotypical peers at 5 with some very intensive therapy.
I have been reeling from this for weeks now and still have times when I feel hopeless and incredibly alone. My family and my in-laws have been a tremendous help to me. We are working on getting a second vehicle for when we start therapy and playgroup. It is just not feasible for us to rely on my MIL or my Mother to take us to sessions and whatnot if we are going to have a regular schedule.
I am not ready to fully post about this on FB, I still need a little more time to figure out how I feel, but I really feel like I needed a little extra support, and you ladies have always been there for me.
Re: I think I am ready.
Our baby girl!!
i think that getting him started with therapy is a great thing. it's wonderful that your family and il's are being supportive and helping out.
also, you're allowed to feel whatever it is that you feel, but if you need to scream, cry, laugh, vent, etc.... please do so. we are here for you, j, and monk
over the years, I have had several students in my class with mild autism and you would never be able to tell them apart from their typical peers. I don't know monk's story and what it was that clued you into something being not quite right....but good for you for noticing something was up and taking the steps to get him all that he deserves!
You're doing him such a HUGE service by starting as much as you can now!
Best of luck with everything, it'll be a tough road at times, but you can most certainly get through it!
This exactly for me too.
My friends DS was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum and just recently was fully diagnosed with Asbergers (sp?) I believe he is 8. She has recently enrolled him into therapy at the Brain Center down in Cincy for a 6 week treatment. If you'd like more info on the center I can ask for it.
I am curious to know what clues you noticed in Monk to get checked out though.
((Hugs))
Monk at this time is still completely nonverbal. He does not come when we call his name, he does not always follow commands, he has some repetitive behaviors, and does some stimming and tip toe walking. He makes sounds...lots of them, mostly like sound effect sounds, but he does DaDa, MaMa, BaBa, DaDee, and most recently he has been doing the Ha sound....
Some of the things that they may look for in ASD kiddos I dont really see....he doesn't seem to get overwhelmed in public, he will come and grab my hand when he wants something he just doesnt always take me to what he wants, he only pulls me in an initial direction. He will sometimes look in a direction that you point...especially if you are playing and engaging with him in a game he really likes... for example he will follow your hand up in the air to see a balloon or a bubble in the air. He will also spontaneously give hugs and kisses to us and to his stuffed animals, he also does this when we ask him for kisses and hugs.(he also makes this little "mmmm" sound while doing it which just melts my little heart every. single. time.)
I have hope that we will be able to get him progressing quickly when we get him in to some therapy....I hope that will be happening in the next couple of weeks. I have been reading the 100 days kit, and have ordered a book to start reading that has been recommended on a lot of autism information sites I have looked at. I want to know as much about this as I can so that I can make the best decisions for Monk.
I am scared to death though, I will not lie....I am frightened for my son, the new baby, my marriage(though I know there are studies that say that having a child with autism does not make divorce rates higher)...its a lot to try to deal with, and on top of my pregnancy which so far has been good, but will be closely watched because of my history of high blood pressure, and DHs transition to the insulin pump...its just a lot to work with all at one time.
Awww. So sweet.
I can see how it is a lot to deal with.
First of all ::BIG HUG::
I agree with everyone else that you are in fact a wonderful mama! You are doing all of the right things to give your baby what he needs and you are going to be helping him out SO much in the long run.
It is definitely an overwhelming situation, but you'll get through it all. We are all here for you, and personally speaking - please let me know if you ever need anything or want to hang out and vent or not vent.
So glad you've got such an amazing support system around you!!!
He is lucky he has such a strong Mom! I don't have any experience with autism directly but I know you are doing the best for him. Hugs and prayers!
This definitely sounds overwhelming, but you can totally do it!!! You're an awesome, strong woman! Good for you for getting him the help he needs, and big hugs to you!!!!
This exactly. My nephew is Autistic and the programs they went to helped him so much. He would just repeat what you were saying and then after putting in all the work and therapy, you can now have some what of a conversation with him and he is just the sweetest kid. He goes to regular high school, to the school dances and all the girls love him! You did/are doing the right thing by catching it early and getting him the help that he needs. ((Hugs))