B is for Braeden.
The official diagnosis is in from the private psychologist. Autism. Not really surprising and really kind of a relief. Now I know and we can move on from here. I am still waiting for the diagnosis from the psychologist that the school referred him to but i will be surprised if their diagnosis is any different.
Now I just have to figure out where we go from here. I am already frustrated with the school district and I just had my first conversation with their Special Services office today!
For those of you who have, or are, dealing with a special needs child, what were the first things you did? What steps do I need to take? What therapies and services do you think are the most important to start with? **SIGH** so many questions....
You think you are prepared until it comes right down to it. Now I am feeling overwhelmed again.
One step at a time.
One day at a time.
Braeden Orion DeLuca is one hell of a great kid. He makes me crazy and frustrates me but he also melts my heart every day. I am thankful he is my son and came into my life when he did. Now I just have to be the Mommy he needs me to be and make sure that he gets any help he needs.
Thank you for all of the kind comments, FB posts and emails. You all make this easier just by being you.
7 comments:
Speech therapy and applied behavior therapy are good places to start. Consider changes in diet (removing sugar, wheat, tomatoes, etc) to see if it has any effect. Play therapy, also. Get him out and give him the chance to socialize with kids his own age. Love him until you can't love him any more; try to avoid getting angry with him--chances are he won't notice and it will just stress you out. Temple Grandin is a high-functioning person with autism who has written many great books. Read some, and perhaps you'll get some insight into your son's mind. Read all the books you can, but try not to buy into "miracle cures." Something that helped one person's child may or may not have the same effect on yours. Best of luck to you and your son.
Here's a link to a site you might find interesting.
http://www.generationrescue.org/home
I agree with the previous poster, read as much as you can, get as much information from a variety of resources as you can. A good local support group might be a good idea as well. I know that there are local chapters of foundations that offer support as well, you might find info on this through the link I provided.
Best wishes to you and your beautiful child.
Oh Tracey, i cried when I first found out, and then I sat back and realized i had to be strong. The first thing I did was get Josh set up with Speech therapy and Occupational therapy. Go 100% with the gluten/casin free diet, it is wonderful. Food therapy is another one you need, Josh just began that last week. Josh has gone so far since we began all his therapies a yr ago, he didnt speak a work 9 months ago, and he will be 5 years old next month, and today he is speaking in sentences. Hes still OCD, but not as bad. We can make small changes and he is ok with them now (still can not make big changes). You know how to get ahold of me if you need me. hugs and love! Tara (from coffee culture)
btw, yes generationrescue.org is wonderful, i belong to it, have for over a year now and am a rescue angel in my area.
Both my kids have autism and we've run the gambit of all therapies. They're both mainstreamed and high-functioning now. Occupational therapy with a good program for sensory processing disorders would be a good place to start. Hugs to you. Email me if you have questions. wendy at sparrow dot us
My son ended up with the PDD label for a while before we finally had him diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. AS is finally within the autistic spectrum so now he can receive services he needs. I began this uphill battle as a married woman and he was three with the PDD diagnosis. It's a school system thing. After his father died he had a severe reaction that landed him in the psych ward of a children's hospital. Finally, at the age of 6 he was diagnosed with Aspergers. He is now twelve, we are living in a whole new state (Western N.C.) near some fantastic institutes that cater to autism (T.E.A.C.H.) and yes, he's on the right meds that help with speech and social issues. He is now doing fantastic but it was one hell of a road to get here. Hugs to you!
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