Concerned Grandma

[julia brislawn]

Our Grandaughter, age 16 months, has every symptom of autism. (lack of eye contact, interest, toe walking, lack of speech, etc.) but her parents seem to be in denial and think she is just 'slow to develop'. The alarming thing to me in that she seems to be losing skills she once had--at llast Xmas when she was just one she followed the dogs and pointed, saying "dogie, doggie" but does not do that now or anything similar. When my son asked "where is Daddy's nose?", she would tweak his nose, but doesn't do it now. She seemed fairly normal to me (I have had 6 children) until about 15 months. My question to you is, how can we kindly interfere--or should we, ? and how important is early intervention? I am panicked because I don't like to interfere in family affairs, but want her to have every chance. She is the only child my son will ever have--they are older parents. Also, the mother was in a severe auto accident when 5 months pregnant. Could this have any bearing on the child's condition, and if so, why didn't it show up at the beginning?.

I appreciate any information you can share we me.
Thank you

[clgonzal]

Julia,

Early intervention is the key to the child success, many kids seem to recover faster when they're younger and the appropriate help is provided. Many people believe that these insults cause by vaccines, environment, and etc, and are the reason for symptoms of ASD and regression. Apparently they are triggering immune abnormal response to these insults. In our case our son was test for almost everything possible and it was positive for high mercury level right after 15 months old, and also to have food sensitivity that were causing his regressions and ASD like symptoms. He’s doing better now with therapy, diet and all thanks to early intervention.

Regards
Claudio

[beck]

[QUOTE=julia brislawn]Our Grandaughter, age 16 months, has every symptom of autism. (lack of eye contact, interest, toe walking, lack of speech, etc.) but her parents seem to be in denial and think she is just 'slow to develop'. The alarming thing to me in that she seems to be losing skills she once had--at llast Xmas when she was just one she followed the dogs and pointed, saying "dogie, doggie" but does not do that now or anything similar. When my son asked "where is Daddy's nose?", she would tweak his nose, but doesn't do it now. She seemed fairly normal to me (I have had 6 children) until about 15 months. My question to you is, how can we kindly interfere--or should we, ? and how important is early intervention? I am panicked because I don't like to interfere in family affairs, but want her to have every chance. She is the only child my son will ever have--they are older parents. Also, the mother was in a severe auto accident when 5 months pregnant. Could this have any bearing on the child's condition, and if so, why didn't it show up at the beginning?.

I appreciate any information you can share we me.
Thank you[/QUOTE]

[beck]

Grandmother. Hello I am new to all this and I too see things in my daughter and am battling with the theripsts and teachers to get a diagnos. I am glad to see that you are concerned because my parents and siblings and friends just think we are seeing more into things then they really are. My daughter also has cerebral palsey and that took alot to get the doctors to admit or diagnos if you will. I know my child and I know something is wrong why wont people tell me?

[NiteCat4Ever]

Yes, I agree that early diagnosis and early intervention are the keys in helping the child. The best thing to do is to find a psychologist and psychiatrist that specializes in autism and another great resource is there are actually many primary care physicians and neurologist out there that also specialize in autism spectrum disorders and can diagnose appropriately. My son is now 16 years old; and without early intervention he wouldn't be where he is academically/socially/emotionally or life wise this I know to be very true...as I know another mother near me who never utilized early intervention as a means and her child is very severe on the spectrum.