Finally booked DS to see his paediatrician

[Miss.B]

Well, today I finally worked up the courage to get my beautiful DS seen by his paediatrician in 2 weeks. For a while I have been concerned by his behaviour. So far everyone is telling me to stop worrying and being silly, he's developing normally. He has been on the late side with pretty much everything. He sat up all by himself at 9 months. He rolled both ways late too. He commando crawled until 14 months and is still not walking (only can pull himself up on furniture/bath but does not shift feet that much, rather he drags them). He can only say mama, yum, only started to say da, and makes the car noise. He is very interested in his hands. But the main concern I have is with his behaviour. I have posted before about his constant arm flapping, which I have always been worried about. He does is a lot, but mainly when he is excited, unhappy or just wants to be picked up. Yesterday he did this weird thing where he closed his eyes and started to cry like he was scared, and I had to really calm him down before he could open his eyes again. He did this again a little while later. There was nothing that I could see that made him upset, he didn't hurt himself etc. I was at mum's place and even she was concerned.

I feel so heartbroken that I am doubting how perfect he is. I just want the doctor to tell me everything is normal and on track. I don't want the doubts and worries to consume me. I really hope and pray that all is OK and he is developing normally.

Thanks.

[UntoldAngel]

I hope the paed can alleviate some of your concerns

[RhiChiChi]

Miss B, I hope the pead can shed some light on your sons behaviour and development. I was going to say don't stress too much about your DS development - my gf DD didn't walk until later, like 16 months and some other gf's kids wern't big speakers until later, however given the additional behavioural stuff and your mummy instincts telling you something is up, I think you have done the right thing getting a second opinion. GL

[~Trish~]

Huge hugs . Good on you for getting your DS checked out. The paed may say he's absolutely normal/fine, but you will worry about it until you find out for sure. It's much better getting him checked out JIC, if there is an issue, early intervention is the best thing you can do for him. Don't feel guilty for following your instincts

[JLeigh29]

I just wanted to send you lots of I can only imagine all the thoughts going though your mind right now. I agree that you've done the best thing possible to alleviate your fears because no matter how many times someone tells you not to worry or that there's a whole range of 'normal' when it comes to babies, you will (understandably) be concerned until you have some answers. It's what makes you a parent.

I truly hope that the paed can reassure you. GL with your own special tww!

[Miss.B]

Thank you so much for you support and words of encouragement ladies

I feel pretty good knowing that at least I'll have a professional have a look at DS and hopefully shed some light on why he is behaving the way he does......for all I know it could all be normal behaviour. It just doesn't feel good when you go to gymbaroo and some mum is staring at your child like 'what's wrong with him' iykwim? Anyway, perhaps I'm just over paranoid, I swear I've never worried so much before DS came along. I guess you want your child to be developing well and it's so easy to read into things even if others tell you it's all normal behaviour.

Will keep you updated.

Thanks again and thanks for listening

[Charlotte91]

I hope everything is OK.
I'll be stalking.

Good luck, honey.

[RhiChiChi]

Thank you so much for you support and words of encouragement ladies

I feel pretty good knowing that at least I'll have a professional have a look at DS and hopefully shed some light on why he is behaving the way he does......for all I know it could all be normal behaviour. It just doesn't feel good when you go to gymbaroo and some mum is staring at your child like 'what's wrong with him' iykwim? Anyway, perhaps I'm just over paranoid, I swear I've never worried so much before DS came along. I guess you want your child to be developing well and it's so easy to read into things even if others tell you it's all normal behaviour.

Will keep you updated.

Thanks again and thanks for listening

Aww, the part about others looking at your DS & judging makes me feel sad.

Did you make an appt yet?

[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