autism spectrum

[AmyinWI]

I took my little guy to a 2 hour autism evaluation today. the Dr. feels G definiteley has several indicators of the spectrum,and diagnosed him with "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified". whatever that means!
I do know,with down syndrome complicating things, it will be a little harder to figure out what is what. And I know early intervention is important, but the therapy is intensive,and involves a therapist being in our home anywhere from 4-8 hrs per day. :eek: I'm just not sure I could handle that,not to be selfish, but I like my privacy. ugghh

[Sue C]

:group: I'm sorry Amy. That sounds very intensive. I don't think you are at all selfish. That is a lot of time of someone else being in your home. I will pray for wisdom and peace for you.

[tracy]

Amy~
I like my privacy too.
Praying for you.

:group:

There are books available on your son's diagnosis; PDD-NOS
If you would like recommendations, I could type up a list.

[Jo in PRC]

:group: I know that it sounds overwhelming, but remember the early invention isn't forever. When Anna was in the midst of her all-day therapy, after awhile I learned to enjoy the chance to let someone else do that and just go about what other things I needed to do. I realized I didn't need to be a hostess or even a therapist, just the mom. That was freeing. Hope that helps a bit. Jo

[Alice R]

And I know early intervention is important, but the therapy is intensive,and involves a therapist being in our home anywhere from 4-8 hrs per day. :eek: I'm just not sure I could handle that,not to be selfish, but I like my privacy. ugghh

I'm sorry to hear the news of PDD-NOS. G is dealing with so much already. :group:

PDD-NOS is a type of PDD. The NOS part isn't really that interesting. :lol:

The therapy you are referring to is probably ABA therapy. You have various therapists come to your home and work through trials with G.

I did it a long time ago. 20 years ago? I know it sounds very invasive to your privacy and it is, certainly, but it's not that bad. The therapists do this all the time and are good at being invisible. ;) Most families set up an area away from everyone, sometimes a bedroom or a back room and let the child and therapist work in there. When you are doing ABA you really don't want a whole bunch of people involved, which is different than regular therapy which is very family centered and the parent is encouraged to be involved.

Hopefully, it won't be as much as you fear. I'm a quiet person and the idea of having someone in my home for a few hours each day would bother me also. It probably will be much less than what you are anticipating. ABA iis done here in very small apartments with large families and somehow, the therapist manages to disappear. ;) Sometimes I come in to evaluate the child for the next level of services and I say "where's the child?" and the parent is like "oh, they are in the bedroom doing ABA". I didn't even know the therapist was there, and again, these are very small living areas. I go to the bedroom to interview the ABA therapist and I find them in the corner, working with the child very quietly and intently.

It'll be OK, Amy. :group: :group:

[chiguirre]

My boys attended center-based ABA starting at 4 and 2 years old. For a young child, home-based is less stressful, but we couldn't find an in home program we could afford. In your case, a center might be a good solution. Even if you do have to do ABA in home, you'll have to set aside a room where the therapist and child can work together uninterrupted, so the therapist won't be under your feet all the time.

You'll get used to it with time and, hopefully, the improvements you'll see will make it worthwhile. Hiring therapists is really the only way to implement ABA if you have other kids at home. It's just soooo time consuming that you couldn't do it on your own and it is the most effective treatment for autism.

[Lisalyn]

Amy,

This is the same dx that Eli has. Some people call it Atypical Autism. Eli tends to be a little more social than most kids on the spectrum. This kept him from meeting the full classic autism dx.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this, too. It was very difficult for us, as a privacy-craving homeschool family, to have the therapists come. It didn't take long, though, until it was a part of life. I'm so glad we did it!

:group:

[Jenene]

Our ABA therapist became part of our day and then part of our family. I loved both of them. At first .. it was ... clean the house, get my clothes nice for company... and then .. LIFE happens and it is... come on in! I used to be sure the coffee was on for them and was so happy to see them on the tough days. I loved having them come to the house because it was one less therapy I had to get the kids in the car for.
We just finished our time with them and their program. To be honest I was sad to see them leave, so we keep in touch on facebook :) like I said... Family. You will be surprised how you will get into a grove with them and your kiddo will look forward to them too (maybe not at first because they do make your kiddo reach for their potential).
The labels (PDDNOS, PDD, ASD, ADHD, ADD, DS.ect) just help narrow down what areas need work... in the end... it is your child and their needs that are addressed.

Blessings!