"Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

This is long, sorry.

Hi,
My name is Lea. I've been around the parenting board since LIW days (over there I was FleeFlee), and I "know" quite a few of you although I dont get to post all that often.
I have 2 boys now, Cole is 32 months old, and Brady who is 8 weeks.

When Cole was about 13 months old I started to notice that he didnt look at us when we called his name. He was happy and interactive, but wasnt yet speaking. My family told me that my granfather "didnt speak until he was 3". My MIL told me my DH was a "late-talker". At 15 months, Cole started to ever so slightly shake his head back and forth (as if saying "no") while he watched TV. I actually came onto this site and did a search. A lot of moms mention that their child did this and it was a phase. Cole didnt really play with his toys appropriately. He liked physical activity best, and he could push his litlle grocery cart around for hours if I let him. I didnt know exactly what "mothers intuition" was at the time, but even though all these signs could somewhat be explained, I had a really nagging feeling.

At Cole's 15 month well check-up I mentioned a couple of these to our pediatrician. THANK YOU DR. SVITEK for not dismissing me, not telling me to wait, not telling me he's too young. While he didnt really suspect autism (because Cole is a mush, wants to be held and has great eye contact when HE initiates it), he sent us to a pediatric neurologist.
After a 2 hour wait, intense history, and brief exam, he told us he suspects seizure activity. We went for a 24 hour EEG and a brain MRI. Both were normal. He referred us to Early Intervention. At 16 months Cole was intially evaluated by a Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Special Education teacher and a Psychologist.
Again, Cole had *some* characterisitics of Autism Spectrum Disorder, but a lot of really great social skills that led them to believe it was something else. The Speech pathologist told us she thinks he's severely hearing impaired. We called his name, slammed down books, and clapped hands, he had no response. I knew he could hear though. If he heard Sesame Street coming on he'd run in from the other room. We went to Schneiders anway and had his hearing tested twice. All came back normal. At 18 months he still had no language. We began sppech, OT and special Ed. through EI. We've been blessed to have wonderful therapists who have taught us and Cole so much. Little by little Cole is gaining language. His first word was "Go."

At 2 1/2 our fears were confirmed. Cole was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified). One of the tests actually put him into the true Autism Spectrum Disorder range, but we think thats a bit of a stretch.

After over a year in EI we had him re-tested. At 2 1/2 years old his language tests at a 15-18 month level. He's starting to put 2 words together (more juice), and is beginning to show signs of pretend play. He is now attending a special ed preschool and we're seeing continued improvement.

I wanted to put this out there along with this other post because I truly believe that we're going to pull Cole through this because of early detection and early intervention. Maybe putting a face and a story to this condition can help someone not to be afraid to have their child tested early.
Call for Early Autism Screening

You can see more about my little guys here:

myspace.com/coleandbrady

please feel free to FM me anytime.
thanks for reading.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you for sharing your story. And congrats to Cole, it's great that he's improving!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

It's great that you picked up on things, were diligent on getting things looked at, and the Drs were willing to help you diagnose the problem. Once you know the diagnosis, you can start treating it. It sounds like he'll do pretty well. He's got a great, supportive family, and great Drs and therapists working with him.

You're definitely an inspiration to other parents.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

So glad you caught this early, I'm sure it will make a big difference in functioning. BTW Scott Svitek, is my kid's doctor, and I can't say enough good things about him. He's not an alarmist, but he does listen.

All the best to you and your son!!!!!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you for sharing this with us! Cole is so lucky to have such a great mom who picked up on all of these things early.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

I am so glad you caught this early...it makes a world of difference.

My cousin's son was diagnosed with PDD around the same age. They put him in EI and he went to school every day, had speech therapist and OT several times a week and now he is 8 and mainstreamed in 2nd grade b/c my cousin caught it so early and got him the help he needed right away. He was not left back at any point and was never put in special ed. To be honest, I dont know that he even shows any signs of PDD anymore. Therapy and EI made all the difference for him!




ETA: Did you notice anything unusual during his 1st year or was there anything that concerned you during his 1st year or out of the blue around 13 months you started noticing things?

Message edited 10/30/2007 9:30:18 AM.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

thank you for sharing your story. early detection is so important and many parents don't know how to advocate for their children. sounds like you are doing an awesome job!! and go cole, for doing an awesome job too!!!!!

your children are beautiful!!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thanks so much for your story. I'm so glad Cole is improving every day and it's so great that your mother's intuition along with EI is the reason why.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Kudos to you for detecting something early on and getting him the help he needs

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you so much for your story.

I'm glad Cole is improving everyday.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you for sharing your story. Sounds like Cole has made great progress and I'm sure he will only continue to do so in the future.

BTW - your boys are adorable in your avatar.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thanks for sharing...and glad your doctor never dismissed your feelings.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thanks for sharing your story. Your boys are beautiful and very lucky to have such great parents.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

It really sounds like Cole is making progress and that is wonderful!!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thanks for sharing your story. Your boys are beautiful.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you for sharing your story.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Message edited 10/30/2007 10:00:13 AM.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Posted by MrsBumbleb

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad to hear he is making good progress. And good for you for following through with your gut.

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

I'm so glad you shared your story. I'm so happy you caught this early. Your children are beautiful!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thats for sharing!!

I'm so glad Cole is improving everyday!! Thats wonderful....

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It means a lot. I am so happy to hear that Cole is doing so well. I will keep him in my prayers. You have two beautiful boys and they are very lucky to have you!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you so much for posting this. I am so happy that Cole got the help he needed so early. It is because of YOU that he has done so well!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

Thank you for sharing your story.

for Cole!

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

wHAT A Good mommy you are, you saw some signs and took the initiave to look into it. God Bless him !

Re: "Coming out of the closet" ... so to speak...

They are very lucky to have you for a mommy