[pgwido]

I know exactly how you feel. My son has PDD-nos, (in the Autism Spectrum). He is now 23 and doing quite well. School was really tough. I fought for 1 on 1 aids for quite a few years, and extended school year programs, special reading programs, Speech, OT, anything else I knew would help him. All the teachers and staff hated me! Actually they were afraid of me. I knew who to call when they weren't following an IEP, or just weren't doing the best thing for my son. I was told on many occasions what a great advocate I was for him. I was even asked by some of the teachers if I'd help other parents. Some of the good teachers actually felt bad for other students because they didn't have a good parent advocate for them and these kids weren't getting the right services. My schools actually wanted him in a private school so they wouldn't have to deal with him or me. I kept him in the public school, it was important to him to "be with everyone else" as much as he could, not be in one room all day with only the disabled students. You sound like a great advocate for your daughter, keep it up! It will be a long road sorry to say, but her success depends on you! Stay on your staff at the school, and know your Special Ed State Regulations and make the School follow them. Good Luck!

[honeybabysaunt]

Yay Michael!!! Blake will catch up soon!!

[LyndaSLP]

Originally Posted by twilson79

Guess who started sitting yesterday!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited, he was 3 days shy of being 10 months old but I don't care, that is my little handsome man and every accomplishment is huge for me! We have a PT specialist and an educational specialist coming to see Michael next Thursday for an eval---and they are coming to my house!!! How awesome is that. I asked if they also service older children--remember my 7 year old, Nicole, is autistic and we still think she should be in a "special" school. She is not learning. She is memorizing. We read books--simple books and she will try to use a work she knows is later in the story. She does not sound out words or anything. She remembers the story and tries to use the words she knows are in the book. County schools will do anything to not have to pay for your child to have the "APPROPRIATE" education they DESERVE. Don't worry, mommy is on top of it. Now that Michael's appointments are set I will start with her. My babydoll has NO social skills, she pulled her pants down 4 times at school today--no reason--just because she felt like it. I don't know, this is so frusterating. I work 40+ hours per week and I have to deal with both children--I can't miss any more work, I have missed enough due to child support with the ex. I just want my babies to have everything they need for a fulfilling life. I am going to update her IEP and refuse to sign if I do not get what I want. She cannot associate with children, she can be mean, hateful, and rude. But children like her try not to be, it just happens. I am not defending her behavior, I will be the first one to call her on it and pop her mouth for being sassy or mean, but I don't think these teachers know how to deal with a child like mine, she learns differently. They can't teach her like she is a "slow" first grader. She is smart, they just need to know how to get it out of her. If anyone has been through the same......help......... I have been trying to deal with this since she was 2. Her school hates me, they know I will not deal with what is going on and they just want me to be passive and let Nicole continue through elementary school getting further and further behind. Thanks.

Are you familiar with the Parent Advocate Agency/Program in VA?

They'd be a wonderful support for you to help you get your daughter what she needs educationally.

Let me go find information for you....

[LyndaSLP]

Parent Training and Information Center

Main website in case others are interested in the information:

Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers

For Virginia:
PEATC - Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center

Purpose of these centers:

Each state is home to at least one parent center. Parent centers serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning. They help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education results for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.

[twilson79]

Honeybabysaunt--that's not fair, Blake already has more hair than Michael--he isn't allowed to catch up until Michael has a full head of hair. If Blake crawls first, I'll trip him --not really, give them babies kisses from me.

[EileenWolter]

My older son is also on the spectrum.

So you know as well as I do, the best thing you can do is EARLY intervetion.

[itsbelong]

I'll say prayers for you guys!

[obe]

I have heard that sometimes the autism is a food allergy that is misdiagnosed. sounds crazy.

[twilson79]

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and prayers, I'm now dealing with the school system for Nicole--a mother's work is never done!!

[twilson79]

Well, the infant and toddler connection evaluated Michael and was found eligible for services. They did not seem too worried but he was behind in a few skills. He will have an occupational therapist visit him once a week. Also my visit with the developmental doctor is on May 21st, he is the best in Richmond, I just hate that I have to wait sooooooooooooo long. Maybe he will "catch up" by then and he will be fine, if not, I will take it one day at a time.

[lhart24]

Thanks for the update.. just keep at it.. you will start to make progress.. you are a great mom

[aidan&logansmommy]

I just want to say that you are an awesome mommy! Reading through all of your posts- you are doing everything you can. I imagine you must be stressed, as any mommy would be, but I think you are doing a wonderful job. Mommy instincts are usually right and getting started early with any type of intervention or therapy really does make a difference. I worked in early intervention with visually impaired preschoolers before staying at home, so I sort of understand. Then I had my second child who has had all sorts of medical issues, and it is so hard living it day to day! I commend you for all you are doing for both of your children and I hope you will make some time to take care of yourself!!

[twilson79]

Thank you so much, I with I had time to take care of myself, but between working full time, taking care of the kids, my fiance is going to school and working full time, and the children's father not helping with anything-- I don't remember what it is like to have some ME time. If it isn't one of the above, I'm worrying about money. I am sooooooooo tired of worrying about money.

[GrannyGodley]

I really don't know, but I have read many times that nitrates in foods, red food coloring in food, and sugar can trigger or cause many problems. I would suggest, that as an experiment, you selectively discontinue for several months one item at a time. I would start with the hardest - sugar. Eleminate it from your family diet entirely and see if it actually helps the children. Be sure you replace the calories they are missing, though, with foods of substance and nutrition.

[gagesmommy]

I would also say to check for food allergies in both children. If anything you might find one that gives them a hard time. It may not help the autistic part but they can really upset tummies making it harder for them to concentrate and their moods. Some kids don't know they should tell mommy and daddy they don't feel well or they have been dealing with it for awhile and might think its normal. I have milk allergies but nobody could figure it out until my mom and I decided to take any dairy products completely out of my diet, guess I didn't have cancer after all!! At 20 yrs old having Dr.'s tell you its probably cancer and to start setting up appts. for testing and such and instead we took the 2 days before the tests were to start and by the morning I was supposed to have a cat scan I felt better so we canceled. Good luck to you and your little ones. Get them better before you worry to much about money (easier said than done). Also you might check into grants that you might be eligible for.

[twilson79]

Nicole gets social security, Michael is not diagnosed yet and I might pass the federal guidelines for income now that they include Nicole's social security as part of my income. Every little bit helps though. Thanks for all your concers and ideas.

[Barbara83]

does your child have ear infections alot, just asking because my daughter did,and it causes balance problems. And you a mom,, go with your gut, i did,, i had to push it, ,but i was right,, my daughter is learning disabled, and the more help you get the sooner the better,, good luck, and i hope things turn out good for you. and just a reminder,, you are the only one speaking for your child,, if thy tell you no,, find others that will listen,, good luck Barb

[twilson79]

Nicole had lots of ear infections, they started at 11 months and at 2 1/2 she had tubes placed in her ears. She started showing signs that she was "different" before 11 months. I don't allow a doctor to tell me things any more, I listened to "she will catch up, she is fine," so many times that I had finally had it when she was 2 and refused to leave the doctors office until she got help.

[twilson79]

Well, Michael starts his OT on Friday, he has gotten so much better in the last two months! We are still taking him to the developmental dr in May, just to make sure he is developing in his motor skills.

When he was evaluated, the educator said that Michael lacks a lot of upper body strength. Michael had severe reflux and was hospitalized for it when he was 3 weeks old. I had to strap him into a bed that was at a 45 degree angle and he really wasn't allowed on his belly much, especially after eating when he was really little. The educator seems to think it is just his upper body strength and lack of using those muscles (I guess it was a catch 22). He doesn't twist his upper body, he turns his whole body at the same time. We are now presenting toys and his snack food to him from the side so he has to twist to get it.

So far so good, I'll let ya'll know how everything goes. Thanks again for being so helpful and thoughtful.