I was looking through my old emails tonight, I don't even remember why now, I've been at this for about an hour, and I found this message that I posted to our local parenting mailing list; it's dated 3/12/2004:
We've just returned from the Developmental Pediatrician who has recommended Early Intervention for my 25 month old son. She was hesitant to give him a diagnosis, and when I asked, she said she would call it "Global Developmental Delay." Basically, he's about 10 months behind in all areas, some more, some less, but specifically he has a marked speech delay; at 25 months he has yet to say any words clearly. I say "clearly" because it's possible that he says lots of words, but we just don't understand them. He babbles constantly, understands everything we say to him; can follow directions (when he wants to!), and communicates his needs quite well nonverbally. He's been late in all of the major milestones so far, (crawling, pulling up, walking, etc.) but he's gotten to all of them eventually. I don't know what to think about an Early Intervention program. How necessary is it? My husband and I are very concerned with "labeling" him with a diagnosis that he'll have to wear for the rest of his life. But should those concerns be outweighed by the possible benefits from putting in him a program? What I want more than anything is to connect with other parents who have been where we are now and can tell us what choices they made and why, and what the results were. JillI wanted to post this message for any parent who is new to the autism world. You may be feeling overwhelmed or scared or having a whole range of emotions you don't know what to do with, and I just wanted to tell you that I have been there. I know exactly how you're feeling. I was once in the exact same position you were, but I didn't have the great big internet to turn to.
I just wanted to tell you that you're not alone. If you're reading this and you know somebody who might benefit from those words, please pass it on.
Logging you in...
Bec · 631 weeks ago
Jenny Saul-Avila · 631 weeks ago
We didn't realize how far behind he was in pretty much every other area - I cried when they told me that he was delayed in just about everything. BUT, he was only granted 1 OT session & 1 DI, the IFSP team assuring us that he didn't need a specific speech therapist. I still remember thinking, in a few months, he'll be talking & everything will just fall into place - that's what all our friends & family had been saying - along with the usual, "My kid didn't talk until she was 3 & she was fine." I thought, who cares if the EI program lasts until 3 years of age, he'll be done long before then.
3 months in, when I thought my kid would be talking & on his way to being totally caught up, he made a little progress in fine motor & was able to work through a session without totally losing focus. He'd made no progress in speech/communication. Behavioral issues really kicked in. EI granted us a speech therapist & we got ourselves a neurology group - and an ASD diagnosis. And thought, once we really knew what we were dealing with...OMG, we only have 2 more years until EI ends! ONLY 2 more years! And man, did they fly and I learned that Early Intervention is freaking awesome.
findingninee 79p · 631 weeks ago
<3 you huge.