There is a man in our ward that has not 1 but 2 autistic children (his children attend a different ward). Something I was not aware of until yesterday was that he had told Steven multiple times that he thought Seporah needed to be tested for autism. I was a bit dishearten when I heard that. What person knows more about and can recognize autism than a parent of autistic children.
After reading as much as you can read in 36 hours, I can say Seporah has a number of autistic traits (that I thought were just normal toddler behavior or just normal Seporah behaviors), but I don’t think she actually qualifies as autistic. If I had to diagnose her in my limited study I’d say she has Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (or PDD-NOS since it’s an entire mouthful). Which is a fancy way of saying she exhibits autistic traits without actually qualifying as autistic.
The whole vaccinations cause autism bit, I’ve only read minimally. Since if they really did cause it, well what am I really going to do at this point. Better to focus on what can be done rather than the past. But the specific vaccination that parents say have caused there kids to go haywire is the MMR. I looked, Seporah got it at almost 13 months. I thought and thought and could think of no dramatic regressions or dramatic difference before and afterwards.
Another thing I’m irritated about is Felicity is 15 months old. She has 1 main word “mamamamama,” occasionally she’ll say “dada,” and she’s stopped saying banana. At every evaluation I’ve brought Seporah to, people have commented on Felicity’s lack of language skills. I’m like, seriously, I think Felicity’s fine. But the psychiatrist put in for some evaluations for her, because he was worried. And I’m like great, what if she’s not. I looked it up, some 15 month olds are able to say 50 words, some are like Felicity.
Everyone used to tell me Chandler was ADD (or ADHD). You were his sunbeam teacher, so you know they had valid reasons for thinking that. I think he was a crazy kid with ADD traits but without ADD. The more time that goes by, the more he grows out of it. Mind you, he’s ALL boy and sometimes it drives me crazy.
On the speech thing, Jacob wasn’t even saying mama or dada when he turned 2. He had nothing. They wanted him tested but it got glossed over in all the Andrew stuff. By the time we would have finally gotten around to it he was talking like a pro. My little brother was the same, no words until he was 2. So yeah, I think it could be something that needs attention, but I also think that sometimes they just talk late. Adam is almost 18 months and he only has a few words.
I am sure you are in a quandary and an information overload as you search and read and try to feel your way through this. Whatever ends up being the diagnosis, I know that you and Steven (and Seporah and Felicity) will be able to handle it. You have already made a beautiful and full life for yourselves, and will continue to do so. Our prayers are with you, and much love.
Brayden turned one today and he has no interest in making sounds. I am sorta worried that he is quiet but he may just be a quiet child. One that right now just observes all that is going around him. And Felicity may be the same. She may not feel the need to talk and is learning by observation. No matter what an “expert” says about your children, you know them better than anyone. And you will love them the same no matter what.
Don’t despair, things will work out, maybe not the way you planned, but things will work out! You guys are terrific parents, and really the things you do with your kids are the things that will help them the most. You may have to add a couple of things into your lives or subtract things, but really what you do with them is just the thing to help them!! Don’t despair. Have faith. I know this is hard to hear, but from a person who has a spectrum of kids who’ve had their own problems and will continue to have problems, I have despaired, but things have worked out and they will for you too. We will pray for your family. Don’t despair.
Oh, by the way, you married one smart man. 10 pairs of matching socks is just what you need!!! He could share his own advice to the masses!!