Finally booked DS to see his paediatrician

[Miss.B]

Thanks JLeigh29 & charlotte91, I got the referral yesterday and the paed. app. is today at 2pm. The GP was asking what the problem was and I felt so silly telling her but she wrote it all down and said that the paed will check him out and if he thinks he needs further assessment he will refer him onto another person/people. And of course he didn't do the hand/arm flapping in the room so I couldn't show it to her. DF gave him a cracker and of course he was distracted by that. I'm quietly pooing myself, I've had this knot in my stomach all day yesterday and it's worse today. I'm so hoping the paed will say he's fine. Thanks so much for thinking of me ladies

CeCe have you had the app. with the paed yet?

Just me, how did you go with the referral hun?

Big hugs ladies

[human bean]

Good luck today hun will be thinking of you and your gorgeous little man

[Just Me]

Just me, how did you go with the referral hun?

I took DS1 to the doctor last week and I think he showed every classic behaviour in the book while we were there ...

- He licked the chair
- Walked on his tippy toes in circles while flapping his arms continuoulsy
- Swung his head round and round in circles
- Made odd and strange noises repetitively over and over again
- Had a small break down when the doctor tried to touch him
- Asked what every noise that he could hear was
- Refused to make eye contact with the doctor
- The doctor tried to talk to him and had this conversation with him

D: Did you have a birthday recently?
DS: *makes weird noise* Yes
D: What cake did you have?
DS: One that was cut up into little.tiny.pieces?
D: Did the cake look like anything?
DS: Little.tiny.pieces (DS talks in a very staccato voice ... I don't know how else to describe it)

DS did a few other things but I can't remember what they are now. I talked to the doctor about the things I was concerned about - DS didn't cope with our last holiday. He screamed for hours every day uncontrollably, he does really well most of the time but as soon as we do anything different, DS loses it. He tends to lick things and if he isn't licking things, he is licking his mouth or flicking his tongue backwards and forwards, he won't eat any food that is hot (which the doctor told me was just my bad parenting and DS pushing my buttons ), he has abosolutely no interest in other kids - he talks to grown ups (more talks at them) but if another child is doing something, besides my other kids, he has no interest in what they are doing ... there were also a few other things (I took a list).

The doctor told me it was all normal three year old behaviour and he was showing signs of anxiety. He then also said that he had no experience with any thing on the spectrum but because DS has quite good language skills for his age (DS was stringing words together from 12 months), he said that he didn't think it was anything on the spectrum. He told me that while I was in the doctor's office, DS did nothing that was unusual for a three year old. I tend to agree that all those behaviours on their own are normal but I think the way he acted and the series of behaviours and the consistency of them indicates that there might be more going on.

The doctor compromised with me and gave me an appointment to see a Paed. who would know whether the behaviours are concerning. He looked at me like I was an overbearing parent who had no idea.

I hate seeing the GP. I always feel like an idiot afterwards and I did again that day. I feel like I am over reacting and that I am a fraud. That other parents have real issues with their kids and I am struggling to cope with my very normal child and trying to act like there is something wrong with him. It was pretty awful.

I know how you feel Miss B about your doctor's appointment because I felt the same through mine.

I haven't made the appointment for the Paed yet. I don't know if I will. I feel like such a hypocondriac and I don't want to waste anyone else's time. I really don't know what to think now.

[Ree*Ree]

oh MissB I only just saw this! I'm sorry you've been feeling so conflicted and worried, I so hope that this arvo's appt goes well and puts you all at ease will be keeping an eye out for the update xxx


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[Miss.B]

Thanks HB &ReeRee

Just Me, I know what you mean hun about feeling like a idiot/fraud/overreacting parent. For all you know it could all be normal behaviour hun, it's just hard to know sometimes and I know that I just read too much into things too. For me it's hard because I have nothing and no one to compare DS's behaviour to. He's an only living child for us, and he only sees his gymbaroo buddies once a week. I look at the other toddlers there and DS seems out of place with his flapping. Last night I went on youtube googling autistic/angelman syndrome kids and tried to find anything that was similar that DS does. Yes there are acouple of things that are similar to the autistic kids behaviour, but DS has excellent eye contact, likes to play with other kids etc. which is atypical for autistic behaviour apparently. I do feel guilty hun, like I have said before I feel guilty for even thinking there is something wrong with him. Apart from my mum who is the biggest worrier queen, everyone is telling me it's all normal and find something else to worry about. I guess for me, I want to take him to a paed because I want him to say everything is fine and I can put my mind at ease.
At the docs the woman asked me how many words he says, not many was my response, but then again he is only 16 months. I'm sort of thinking he will be late in talking as so far he's been late with pretty much all else. Sitting up, rolling, crawling etc. I just don't want to over analyse everything he does but that's all I do these days and it's literally affecting me mentally and physically. I feel funny taking him out to restaurants because I'm afraid of the looks the others will give him and me. Is that just stupid and I shouldn't care??
Thanks for sharing your story hun, I really appreciate someone else's view/experience.

[JLeigh29]

Just Me - I can't believe your GP was so dismissive. I read your list and I'd be concerned if that was my child. Like you said, each on their own is nothing to worry about, but combined, it is quite a list (no offence). Make that appointment - you are not a fraud, nor are you wasting anyone's time. I'm sorry your GP made it so hard for you.

Miss.B - I was going to write something about not pooing yourself this morning, but didn't want to give you ideas, lol. A lot of your feelings are normal parent feelings too - I feel wary about taking DS out to restaurants (or just out in general) because he's likely to cry, throw food, wander over to strangers, crow like a bird etc etc and I am reasonably sure they're all 'normal' 15mo behaviours. Most of the time I think, 'Stuff what other people think!' but other times I am vey conscious of it all. As for the talking, DS doesn't say much either (about 1/2 dozen words, none of them pronounced 'properly') but he was an early/on time sitter, crawler, walker etc. I keep wondering when he'll talk, but I don't think it's at all unusual for 18mo to still not be saying much. Anyway, just wanted to say I hope everything goes well for you and you feel listened to and appeased today.

[Just Me]

Just Me - I can't believe your GP was so dismissive. I read your list and I'd be concerned if that was my child. Like you said, each on their own is nothing to worry about, but combined, it is quite a list (no offence). Make that appointment - you are not a fraud, nor are you wasting anyone's time. I'm sorry your GP made it so hard for you.

I knew he would behave that way because I didn't tell him where we were going. He always acts like that in new environments or when he feels uncomfortable. I thought there was no point in preparing him because the doctor needed to see how he copes in new environments/situations. Then I just felt silly. And the doctor said himself, he didn't really have any idea about ASD.

I am making the appointment. DH thinks we need to.

DS1 is starting kindy next year and I am worried for him and I am worried for his teacher. I just think if we understand what is going on and if we can get some strategies in place now, if we need to, DS1 will have a better chance at enjoying himself at kindy.

The doctor said to wait and see until school. But in my experience with kids who do have ASD, if they wait to be diagnosed at school, some of them have pretty horrendous experiences while no-one understands them or what is going on for them. I don't want to wait until DS1 has had a few run ins with teachers before we go and get answers. I want to set him up for an enjoyable and successful experience at school and I think the best way to do this would be with as much support as he needs, with strategies that work and with everyone having a clear understanding of what is going on.

It may still be nothing but I want to make sure that I am giving him the best possible opportunity. I am reallly worried about it. So I am making the appointment because I think DS1 needs it.

Thanks for your support everyone and sorry that I am thread crashing Miss B

I am waiting to hear what your Paed says too ... good luck

[*Efjay*]

I hope you get some answers, Autism is best helped early. Your children are perfectly normal for them. I have 2 boys being diagnosed at the moment & suspect my 2 yr old will also be on the spectrum.
Just Me, make the appointment, you will kick yourself later if you don't. eta - your gp is an idiot

[Just Me]

Just Me, make the appointment, you will kick yourself later if you don't. eta - your gp is an idiot

Ha ha - thanks

I love the way you are so to the point FJ ... makes me laugh

[KimB]

Miss B how did the appointment go? Hope you got some answers.

[Charlotte91]

*stalky stalky*

[Miss.B]

Hi ladies!

I'm so lucky to have you wonderful ladies being a tower of strength and support to me so big thank you to you all

Well I was virtually crapping my pants before we left but at the same time I was relieved that maybe we'll get some answers. He had a good check of the normal stuff, he checked his heart, felt his kidneys, rotated his hips/legs etc, and asked a lot of questions ranging from when did he do this and that and what is he up to now etc, all the while watchning his behaviour. Thank goodness DS started flapping his arms which was good as I wanted him to see it (it was when he put him on the examination table) and he said that he doesn't think it's unusual behaviour, rather his trying to communicate to us that he doesn't like what is happening to him. We explained that he does the arm/hand flapping when he is super excited or upset or wants to be picked up, but lately he's been, say sitting down watching the telly, and his arms are going at a slower pace without him being too excited. He said that it's like a comfort thing for him in that instance and he probably doesn't realise he's doing it. He asked if he had a security blankie which he does and he said that when he gets too excited or upset or basically starts flapping away, to offer him the blankie and he will get the comfort from that. He also said that some toddlers bang their heads, or shake their heads quite violently, so every toddles will express him/herself in his/her own way. He said that he doesn't believe he is anywhere on the spectrum, and said that as he starts walking/ talking, the behaviour will improve. In regards to walking, he said that he is slightly behind on his motor skills, but he stood him up and watched him take the steps while holding onto him, and he said that he should walk within 6-8 weeks. So all is all, I was extremely relieved, and he suggested to come back in 6 months if we wanted to check on his progress. I told him that I was feeling like an idiot for imagining the worst, but he assured me that I did the right thing by bringing him in as it there was something to be concerned about, early intervention is best. I also asked about him closing his eyes and crying sometimes, and he said some kids do the head in the sand thing, where they think we can't see them and sometimes they freak out cos everything goes black, lol. So thanks again ladies for all your support, understanding and above all your love, it really means so much to me and my munchkin!

Just me, I agree with Efjay and JLeigh, your GP shouldn't be so dismissive, instead he should be a lot more encouraging and supportive. I'm glad you are taking your DS to see the paed hun, it's the best thing I've done as if I didn't go, I would forever be thinking the worst in my head and making my own life unbearable with stress and worry. It could be all normal hun, but you don't know for sure. Paeds are childrens' doctors and they see thousands of babies, toddlers, kids etc, so they know what to look out for. I said to DF that if there was something wrong with DS, I would want an early intervention for him becasue I want to give him the very best in life and the best start too. Gl sweetie, keep me updated and I will have everything crossed for you that it goes well.

B xoxox

[Miss.B]

OMG I didn't realise I went on for so long!! Sorry ladies

Efjay, GL with your little ones assesments hun, I hope you can get some good news and some answers.

[Cranky Kitten]

Bet that was a huge relief, and yay for getting such a supportive Dr -

[Charlotte91]

I'm so glad everything went well.

I've been logging on all day waiting for you to post!!

xoxox

[Miss.B]

Cranky Kitten (love your username BTW!) thanks hunni, he is a really good doc and that's the one DS has had since birth (he was at his birth! lol). He's a really great guy who will always listen and never hurry you out the door. When I told him I thought I was overreacting he said that there is no such thing. Good 'ol man!

My dear charlotte, my wee stalker! Thanks sweetheart, I really approciate your support hun!

[UntoldAngel]

I'm glad you got some reassurance hun

[Miss.B]

Thanks hunni