Hi - did anyone watch a show called Magnificent 7 on the ABC last night ? It's based on a true story of a single mum of seven who has four sons who are 'on the spectrum'.
I missed bits of it, but have found it is in 10 minute parcels on youtube.
I made a horrible mistake today... I thought that with 3 days of prepping that we could go to the shops. I chose shops that are outside, and we popped into the chemist for 2 minutes, into the bread shop for 2 minutes... etc etc. We went into 3 shops and then spent time outside, she had the DS with her and sat in the back of the pram. She was good the entire time.... then we got home. Matilda lost it, ran out onto the street, screamed for 2 hours. Bit, scratched, kicked and hit me repeatedly. I thought we could do it, and I prepped her using pictures etc, I showed her where and she was excited about going out. But obviously it was too much too soon....
I have another month to wait for appointments.... *groan*
Oh Christy! What a good girl she was though to hold out till you got home! I have found the same we can usually only go to one or two shops before coming home. I don't know what it is that sets them off? Noise, smell, lights?
After having a few days to process the news, I'm finally ready to put it down in words.
Isobel, who is 6 years old has language delay, but with speech therapy has really improved, and is starting grade 1 this year.
William who is 4 1/2 was diagnosed with ASD a year and a half ago.
Daria is 28 months old and has significant language delay - less than 20 words.
Alexander, Darias' twin was diagnosed with ASD on Tuesday.
We were expecting the news, so it wasn't that big of a shock, but it has absolutely gutted us at the same time. We were desperately hoping that he wasn't, but it wasn't to be.
Because all of the kidlets have problems- the paed's words were "One child with ASD is unusual, two is almost unheard of, and the girls have problems as well. Your the unluckiest family I know". - we now have to go and have genetic testing done.
There is only a 5 - 10 % that the testing will show up anthing, but if there is anything, then we want them to make an informed decision when they are older if they want to have kidlets of their own.
We are still processing the news, and just taking it one day at a time, it's just really good to be able to put thoughts down, even if it is just rambling!
oh Karla It must have been hard writing it down. The processing is the worst part of it. There is a family at Matilda's school with the oldest boy having Asperger's, and the 2 sisters have dyspraxia.... one that is 6 has it severely and the baby sister who is around 2 yrs old isn't using words yet.
Hello
I have been a bit of a lurker on this thread and thought it was time to say hello. I am mum to three children, soon to be four. Our third child Oscar was diagnosed with Autism last year in April. The diagnosis also included " an associated developmental delay" that being his speech. Oscar has a severe receptive and expressive language delay. Despite these challenges he is a delightful little boy. We also had speech problems with his older sister our middle child Lily. She has over come this now and her last assessment found that her speech had entered "normal/average" range.
We have had many investigations with Oscar, speech assessments/ speech therapy, blood tests, genetic testing, paediatrician assessments etc. He began an Early intervention program in term 4 last year and it was really great. He will be continuing it this year too. His progress is very slow, especially with speech. He sings well and mimics lots of songs and Tv shows and movies he likes. But consistent speech to communicate with us is just not happening. He will be four in May and I am scared for the future for him. And there are times when I wonder if he will ever talk to us. Our eldest asks sometimes if he will ever talk, and it's hard for us to answer, because we just don't know. On the surface he looks like a normal little boy, he loves to play with cars and trains and trucks. He loves gadgets, anything with buttons. He has always been a quiet child and we don't have issues with tantrums and things. We are having another child, which is due in May and I am spending time showing Oscar books and magazines of pregnant mums and babies, I put his hand on my tummy and say " mummy has baby in her tummy, you're going to be a big brother", I'm trying to help him get ready for the change. We always wanted to have four children and last year in May I miscarried twins, it was just heartreaking. 2008 was a very hard year, finally getting the confirmation that Oscar has Autism and then the miscarriage, left me a bit of a mess. I have two nephews with Autism, so long before Oscar's diagnosis I knew something wasn't right. But when you get the diagnosis, it makes it final, unchangeable.
We have had heaps of support, and am learning new ways of teaching and communicating with Oscar. He does let us know what he wants by gesture and such. Often helps himself to our pantry cupboard to bring me spreads for a sandwich or crackers and stuff. We are currently toilet training and he is able to go himself quite well during the day without a nappy on, he gets confused when you put undies on him and ends up having accidents though. We are hopeful that 2009 will bring brighter things for our family and that Oscar will continue to progress.
Cheers
Ley
Karla That is a lot to absorb! Hopefully you will get a lot of help and please join a support group. Your pead (or mchn) will be able to put you in touch with your local one.
Ley he sounds a lot like Mason! I'm sure he'll cope fine with the baby. One thing I've noticed is that kids on the spectrum are fascinated by bubbas and are accepting that the bub needs mummy more than them. I also think that could be because they get to watch your tum grow kind of like a live picture display.
I'm hearing about school all the time and how he will be a grade 1-er. A bit nervous about his aide, especially after he had such a wonderful one last year. Wish we could keep her
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It must have been hard writing it down. The processing is the worst part of it. There is a family at Matilda's school with the oldest boy having Asperger's, and the 2 sisters have dyspraxia.... one that is 6 has it severely and the baby sister who is around 2 yrs old isn't using words yet.
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