"RED FLAG ALERT - AUTISM"

My son, who is now 5 seemed to be like any normal baby.  By the time he turned 2 the little words that he started to speak just stopped.  We as parents didn't think much of it at the time.  What does a parent know when they are new to parenthood with their first child?

We took Dane in for his well being check-up.  The Dr. asked, "Any questions?"  "Yes, why did he stop talking?"  This is when she referred us to Birth to 3 program.

Other quirky, routine things were going on.  He always had to flip light switches.  He was always fixated on ceiling fans or pinwheels.  He was always spinning things like saucers, spoons, matchbox car wheels. When ever I used the microwave, he always had to push start or he would throw a fit.  Still he couldn't speak and would just go into a "sensory meltdown."  We had no idea what was going on.

For the time being, I was in total denial there was anything wrong.  I just figured he would grow out of these routines.  I was wrong, they got worse.  Everything set him off.  I was at a total loss and we were expecting our 2nd child.

When you hear "Red Flag" listen to what professionals tell you.  Don't just assume everything will be fine.  Take your child in and have them tested for autism if you suspect anything!  The sooner you can have them treated and get the final diagnosis, the better your child's life, and yours will be be.

It seems to me that attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) run side by side and hard to separate the two.  The best thing you can do for yourself is again, Get Them Tested! 

Dane

"The worst thing a parent can do, is do nothing."  The words of Temple Grandin.  She is a very brilliant woman who has grown up with Severe Autism and has a PH.D in animal science and a professor at Colorado State University.  She has also written books on her autism and I recommend reading her book entitled "The Way I See It" to get a better view on how a person living with autism sees their world.