What Made You Seek an Autism Evaluation for Your Child?
When my son was 3-1/2 years old he received a dtp booster and was very ill with 105 temps and febrile seizure. He never seemed to recover until he contracted the flu 3 months later. Within 6 months from the dtp most of his previously learned skills were gone. The pediatrician kept telling us to give it a little time because he had been ill. After the 3 visit he referred to the school system for an evaluation. They sent us home and gave a second evaluation in 6 months. He had regressed much more by then. They referred him to the TEACCH program for an official diagnosis.
How Did the Diagnostic Process Work?
Our pediatrician referred us to the school system, who did an evaluation. They said he was behind some, but seemed to be really attached to Mom and set him up for a second eval. in 6 months. The second evaluation was much worse; less language and more behavior; low cognition. He had regressed to a 2 year level. They referred him to TEACCH for a diagnosis. They took him and me into a room with a two way mirror. Behind the mirror sat my husband, son, and a psychologist. As they watched the therapist present activities the diagnosis was discussed with my husband. He was diagnosed with severe Autism. Had regressed to the 18 month level for social and language abilities.
Advice
- Make sure the child is in good health before administering a vaccine. If you suspect vaccine injury don't wait. File a report with VAERS and make your doctor documents the injury. Once the regression starts, don't wait on the pediatrician; get him to refer for testing immediately. Be prepared to fight the school system to get the training your child needs. We ended up pulling our son after 2 years and homeschooling him. Get the child all of the therapies you can afford; realizing that some will have minimal effect. Stimulate, stimulate, stimulate.
What Our Diagnostician Recommended
To put him in the public school in an Autistic Classroom. This was pretty much a disaster.
How We Found the Resources We Needed
Resources here were very limited and the school system was useless.
What We Would Do Differently
Please see advice. That's what we would do differently. We were sweet, ignorant, parents who trusted the doctor and the school to do the best for our child. By the time we realized that neither had his best interests at heart, it was too late.
