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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
....and question whether you are getting carried away or not?
For example, Emily just recently started lining things up. It isn't like it is the ONLY way she plays, and she doesn't do it with all of her toys. We've only seen her do it about 3 times.
For example she'll line up all of her disney princess figures or she'll line up all of her letter magnets on the fridge.
And of course, I've read that lining up toys is a sign of autism, so the first time I saw it I got all worried.
But she has not one other sign, and she does so many things that autistic children wouldn't do like role-playing, making good eye contact, has great language, etc.
But seriously, sometimes there is so much of somtehing out there that it kinda freaks you out and worries you when maybe you really have no reason to.
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Posted 11/6/07 4:45 PM  |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I know exactly what you mean. I think all the talk about the issue makes have these knee jerk reactions...for instance, my son is a late talker. He just is, he was an early walker and a late talker. But with every single thing I read about Autism...I get that little ping of fear...and I know I am not that person who gets those pings of fear. I don't read the posts here about autism, because I think they only scare people even more.
I am not the kind of person to get worried about things like that, but with all the fuss being made, its hard to help but feel worried.
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| Posted 11/6/07 4:48 PM |
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Tany
Becoming a different woman
Member since 5/05 24460 total posts
Name:
Tania
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I know exactly what you mean, at one point in her early interventions, the social worker had mention that she could have ppd, which is a form of autism.
I took her to a developmental pediatrician and had her tested.
The doctor concluded that she does not have autism, the only thing she does have is a speech delay, which she has been getting therapy for since she started preschool.
It's never wrong to check if you have any doubts, if she were to have something, this would be the best time to assist her with anything she needed.
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| Posted 11/6/07 4:53 PM |
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Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
As a speech pathologist I sometimes feel I "know too much" and worry constantly about DD's development. I have to constantly reign myself in.
The sad fact of the matter is some "autistic characteristics" are also sometimes totally NORMAL in child development (lining up toys, spinning, flapping, late talking) which makes the disorder so much more frightening.
As my supervisor once said, "We're all just a little autistic once in awhile...."
Message edited 11/6/2007 4:57:36 PM.
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| Posted 11/6/07 4:56 PM |
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
Posted by Porrruss
As a speech pathologist I sometimes feel I "know too much" and worry constantly about DD's development. I have to constantly reign myself in.
The sad fact of the matter is some "autistic characteristics" are also sometimes totally NORMAL in child development (lining up toys, spinning, flapping, late talking) which makes the disorder so much more frightening.
As my supervisor once said, "We're all just a little autistic once in awhile...."
Well said - I agree....
The thing is, many symptoms are things that typical children do - so you can't look at anything in isolation. If the only thing a child does, all day, everyday, for hours is line things up, thenI'd be concerned... but every kid lines toys up, and engages in some type of ritualistic play - its if it is the only play they do (plus other odd behaviors on top of that0 that the concerns are valid....
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| Posted 11/7/07 1:18 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
yes, I keep looking up stuff and think that Christopher is sometimes. I work in the Special Ed. area and like someone said you know too much.
He does the same things that worry me to death....no babbling yet, obsessed with opening and closing doors, and drawers. It is so hard for me because I compare Matthew who started doing things before Christopher.
Matthew is more loving, whereas Christopher is not. 
I still question things with him.
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| Posted 11/7/07 1:23 PM |
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apb17
My guys
Member since 5/06 2173 total posts
Name:
Alli
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I feel that all mothers one time or another questions whether their child has some "autisitic-like" tendencies. I too, as other posters am a sped teacher. I always seem to over analyze DS' behavior especially since he is so different than my older boy. Reading all these articles and news reports causes so much stress.
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| Posted 11/7/07 1:27 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I do but I dont...
My daughter, Ariel, has Mosaic Down Syndrome and is Autistic. Basically I see the things now that she wasnt doing at the same age...Although basically she developed normally until complex speech became an issue...
It is b/c of what I do know about the disorder and about what is normal and what is TRULY abnormal that makes me not worry so much...OMG I hope that makes sense!
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| Posted 11/7/07 3:38 PM |
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heidla
Me and the guys
Member since 5/05 4024 total posts
Name:
Heidi
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I do!!! I don't think I would if I had a girl, but since it seems so much more prevelent in boys I am always looking for signs. DS is a very happy social baby, but sometimes he zones out and seems in a world of his own. It worries me, but he is still too young to tell. Dh and my parents all think I am crazy.
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| Posted 11/7/07 3:49 PM |
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missrock
Beautiful!!!!
Member since 5/06 3808 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I worry all the time. Im so nervous that DD has Autism. My dr. thinks im nuts.
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| Posted 11/7/07 4:36 PM |
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purplegirl
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Member since 5/06 2423 total posts
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I work with children who have autism so I am a little too familiar with the characteristics. I am always on the look out for those in my DD. It drives me crazy and I know I need to stop doing this!
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| Posted 11/7/07 5:33 PM |
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nymommy2be
I love the summer
Member since 1/06 2063 total posts
Name:
Kara
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
I know, it does make you crazy. My son sometimes flaps his hands when he is happy. I know that he has none of the other signs and red flags but I still think about it.
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| Posted 11/7/07 5:58 PM |
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CkGm
They get so big, so fast :(
Member since 5/05 13848 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
If I had the time I would find my freak out thread of a couple of months ago when Grace was not responding to her name. Thank God for the girls on this site since my DH and I had worried ourselves sick. Lipstickjunky(Liza) saved us that night- spending time giving me info via FM, offering to call and talk to me over the phone- I can't tell you how worried we were.
Of course when we went to her 9 month appt and told the Ped about that time, she laughed at us and said, I have a patient with autism that hasn't been formerlly diagnosed yet, and your DD and that child are night and day. She went through all the signs with us and pointed out how Grace didn't have one.
I think EVERY parent fears this.
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| Posted 11/7/07 6:09 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
It's funny that you posted this because I almost started an identical post earlier, but I had to leave for work. I try not to read too much about it because I know I'll make a bigger deal out of things than I should. My DS is perfect the way he is, no matter what that is. I have mentally committed to myself to focus on what he does do and all the cool new things he learns and try not to concentrate on the negative- even though that can be a challenge. He defetnitely does some things that can be "signs" but it's not like he does them all day long or anything. I think what makes me confortable that he's "normal" is there are other babies (between family and friends) around his age and he does things right along with all of them, and some things especially early. He hasn't done anything significantly late.
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| Posted 11/7/07 8:54 PM |
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Teri
my girls!
Member since 2/06 1491 total posts
Name:
Teri
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
For some reason I'm so much more fearful of this with my second baby - not sure why!
But I was under the impression most children develop normally and then show signs for autism around 2? I often hear that the kids were fine and starting to say some words, etc and would then just stop....stop with the eye contact, verbal communication, etc. So now I don't know what to worry about!
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| Posted 11/7/07 9:05 PM |
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MatteosMom
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 1494 total posts
Name:
Carolyn
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
OMG YES. I've posted about it and just had an EI Eval for Matteo today. In the first 10 minutes she said 'why am I here to evaluate you??' b/c she said his eye contact and social interaction was great. But still, there are other things. And like you, Matteo will line things up here and there, did a little hand flapping once in a while. And everything you read online, it's just so confusing!!!
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| Posted 11/7/07 9:25 PM |
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
Posted by Teri
For some reason I'm so much more fearful of this with my second baby - not sure why!
But I was under the impression most children develop normally and then show signs for autism around 2? I often hear that the kids were fine and starting to say some words, etc and would then just stop....stop with the eye contact, verbal communication, etc. So now I don't know what to worry about!
I have to say for the most part, most of the kids I work with never developed language, or had a speech delay, and moms saw things right from the beginning... I know one child whose parents state he had language, and little by little it went away... it was really scary. They even remember the last thing he said (his name, really slowly, as if a tape recorder was dying  ) - but honestly, when I pry, most parents will indicate they knew something was up around 4-6 mts of age... when babies begin to develop a social smile...
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| Posted 11/7/07 10:30 PM |
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colesmom
Brady's mom too!
Member since 5/05 1989 total posts
Name:
Lea
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Re: Do you ever wonder sooo much about Autism things...
Posted by lipglossjunky73
Posted by Teri
For some reason I'm so much more fearful of this with my second baby - not sure why!
But I was under the impression most children develop normally and then show signs for autism around 2? I often hear that the kids were fine and starting to say some words, etc and would then just stop....stop with the eye contact, verbal communication, etc. So now I don't know what to worry about!
I have to say for the most part, most of the kids I work with never developed language, or had a speech delay, and moms saw things right from the beginning... I know one child whose parents state he had language, and little by little it went away... it was really scary. They even remember the last thing he said (his name, really slowly, as if a tape recorder was dying ) - but honestly, when I pry, most parents will indicate they knew something was up around 4-6 mts of age... when babies begin to develop a social smile...
Our experience with Cole was a little bit of both actually. I know he did say "up up" and clapped hands upon request at 12 months old, and then lost both of those by 15 months, but thats not a huge regression. Like Liza said, now looking back, there were a lot of little signs from about 6 months on that I didnt know to look for. We thought his social interaction was great because he was happy and smiled and laughed. Cole had great eye contact when he wanted to, but would not respond to his name when called. He never pointed at things that he wanted or to draw our attention to them. When he was 8 months old we were at a party and an airplane flew overhead. Another little 8 month old girl right next to us looked right up and pointed and "cooed" at the airplane. Cole didnt notice it even when I made a big deal and said "look! airplane!" I was a little puzzled and thought maybe he had a hearing problem. I just didnt know what signs to look for. 
BTW -- the one consistent thing I've heard from Spectrum Parents is that almost ALL of them at one point had concerns about their infant's hearing. We knew Cole wasn't deaf because he always heard Sesame Street from another room, but so many things like the airplane and calling his name over and over and over to get his attention and not pointing in response to questions like "where's mommy" had us worried about hearing loss. Now I know that they are all early signs of autism.
All babies have "quirks" and its easy to get concerned with all the talk in the media. Try to find a middle of the road approach. Educate yourself on baby's neurological milestones and mention any delays to your ped. Dont immediately dismiss a concern, but try not to be paranoid about one or two "quirks".
Message edited 11/8/2007 5:26:52 AM.
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| Posted 11/8/07 5:26 AM |
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