Hello everyone

Hi everyone, My name is Kristin, I'm from Pittsburgh Pa. I have a little girl with Autism.Lauren was dx with it at 17 months old. She will be 3 at the end of May. She is doing VERY well. I also have a 18 month old son that is showing signs of Autism also. We are still waiting on a dx. I have a son that will be 4 in april is a normal kid. I think it's going to be hard on him as he grows up . I want him to have as normal of a life as possible. Kristin

So good that your daughter is doing great,hopefully you have Early Childhood Intervention in place in her life. Since your daughter have already been dx,have your son checked asap,the sooner the better for his educational placement and oppurtunities. Keep me posted,please. [email protected]

Janet, Hi Well the sad news he also has Autism. He was dx last month at the age of 18 months. I know im very lucky to have caught it so soon. He is also going to start ABA/DDT as my daughter gets. Here in Pa if your child has Autism they get a medical asst card. Our regular insurance does not pay for anything. I hope he does as well as she is doing. We have early intervention service also.Thanks so much for your email Kristin revision to RNY 1/7/04

I also have a son with Autism. He is now 27 years old. Unfortunately, Jaysen has severe autism/mental retardation. He is the love of my life!! He was diagnosed at about 18 months through D.E.C. here in Raleigh, NC. He entered the school program (autistic classroom) at about five years old and finished at age eighteen. I am fortunate to have such a great son..it was very challenging however, because he is still in diapers and doesn't talk (some echoalia) But as a whole, he was low maintenance, until he got sick. He now resides in Goldsboro and goes to a workshop every day. I also have a 31 year old daughter who works at UNC in Chapel Hill and am very proud of her!! Good luck to you and your children!!

Hi Kathy, You should be proud of your son, great to hear that he does go to a work shop. My little boy is just 20 months old, He was dx at 18 months old. My daughter also has Autism,She will be 3 at the end of May. She is doing very well, she gets therapy 5 days a week in our home. I just hope and pray that Evan will do as well. Hugs to you!! Kristin

Hi everybody, I'm new to obesityhelp boards and so glad to have found this special group! I have a 6 year old son who was once diagnosed with Autism/PDD (moderate) and now has lost his diagnosis. We've done a ton of biomedical therapies with him that have literally worked wonders. He now speaks in fluent, total sentences, and is attending a mainstream kindergarten class. His biggest area of concern now is lack of social skills, so we're hoping this exposure to "typical" children will be a good peer modeling opportunity. I look forward to conversing more with you ladies! -BJ in Annapolis, MD

Obesity and Autism what a combo! My autistic boy (Sam) is approaching 8 years old. He is verbal, but has no language. He resists all attempts to get beyond a single PEC or word or sign. He is my angel child. I'd be lost without him. I have 6 other kids, one who is a full-sibling. He is not autistic or PDD. Of course if he had had immunizations, this might be a different story I am concerned, my wife and I are both hoping to have surgeries this summer. Sam is so rambunctious (sp?) I am concerned about him getting too physical and hurting one of us. --Brett!

Brett, Don't even get me STARTED on vaccines. We are chelating my son and there is quite a bit of mercury (from the vaccine preservative thimerasol) that is showing up in his urine analysis. I just have been reading somewhere online that the CDC is not concerned about the current vaccine schedule flu shots that still contain thimerasol. It makes me ill. I am having surgery this summer (hopefully), too. My big concern right now is the risk of death. I feel like there is no one else in my family capable of managing my son if something goes wrong. I am wracked with guilt about this. Am I being selfish for wanting this surgery so badly? -BJ

Barbara: I'm in my classroom preparing lesson plans so that I can go see my son participate as well as he can in Special Olympics and I received your response. I am very much in the same position as you. My wife can manage Sam, but not always. I am the primary one. He and I have always had a special bond. I am also concerned about the death rate, but what choice do I have? If I don't do it I will be dead in 10-15 years (or earlier) anyway. I just know I have to do this or he won't have me anyway. Take care. You are doing the right thing. --Brett!

Hi..I am the mother of an autistic child. He was diagnosed with severe autism/mr at around 2 1/2 (if I remember correctly). It has been a long time ago as he is now 27 years old. He has been a constant joy in our lives. He no longer resides at home with us, but we see him very often. This past weekend , we had him for the weekend (Father's Day) and really enjoyed our time together. Autism is a very puzzling disorder and demands unending consistency. I wouldn't trade any of those years no matter how demanding they were and I truly hope each and every one of you the hope and encouragement you need. I pray that you all have the best of teachers and wonderful programs for your children. Just remember to always be your child's advocate, as in my case, my son doesn't talk. God bless.