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How My Child Was Diagnosed with Autism

Reader Stories: When Your Child Was Diagnosed with Autism

From deberooney

Updated January 02, 2009

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What Made You Seek an Autism Evaluation for Your Child? 

We went in for an evaluation after my son regressed after having his MMR vaccine and being hospitalized for "Fevers of Unknown Origin" He was a very active 2 1/2 yr old and at this point had stopped walking and was only grunting. He would get frustrated and stim, scream or bang his head and then throw up.He had constant diarrea or vomiting... We knew something was definatly wrong.

How Did the Diagnostic Process Work? 

First we went to the pediatrician. She said that we needed Parenting classes and that our son was spoiled.I cried for 2 days and when my son attacked me and drew blood in my leg. He then turned to his sister (she was 4) I called the health dept and told them I couldn't take it anymore. Something was terribly wrong and I didn't know what to do. She made me an apt with a different pediatrician who after 10 minures of watching my son said Autism and sent us to Marshfield Neuroscience in WI. The wait was 6 months for an appointment! He was first seen by a Neurologist, then a psych, then theyu came out and said Autism.He started OT and PT at this time. Later as time passed his dx was changed to Asperger's/ HFA.Now at 10 he has Asperger's, Celiac's disease and JRA.

Advice 

  • Listen to YOUR gut..if you feel something isn't right find someone who will listen!
  • Find a good Occupational therapist.
  • THE BIGGEST...do NOT do anything without being educated. I feel beyond any doubt that vaccines contributed to my sons 3 autoammune disorders!

What Our Diagnostician Recommended 

The first only recommended Occupational therapy

Then the doctors put him on a GF diet and he improved huge!

How We Found the Resources We Needed 

internet and people I trust in the autism community (TY AD)!

What We Would Do Differently 

I would NOT have gotten him the vaccines! I would have made an informed choice instead of being so blind.

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