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**Guest** · May 24, 2006, 11:04 PM

My daughter has autism

Patty,

Best of luck finding out all you can find out! There is so much information out there now. Glad to hear you are going for a second opinion. I'll be thinking of you!

Donna

**Guest** · May 24, 2006, 11:43 PM

My daughter has autism

Thoughts and prayers, Patty. You'll be learning lots and there's lots to learn. Having faced some serious health challenges with my own kiddo, I know how frightening it is to first get the news. You'll get through this, I promise. Hang in there. Many are wishing you well this night.

RJ

(And no, it's not your fault.)

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 01:35 AM

My daughter has autism

my daughter has autism

Patty, Just wanted to let you know, you're in my thoughts and prayers. Like RJ says you will get thru this. I don't know much about autism but I think there are different levels of it. I think it's good that you're getting a second opinion too.
My God girl, you've been thru so much. They say we're never given more than we can handle... but sometimes, I gotta wonder, about who's holdin the scales?
I know it might not feel words of comfort right now... but that which doesn't kill us, DOES MAKE US STRONGER. I'm livin proof of that one. :rolleyes I guess most of us here are. Take Care Sweetie, Our thoughts are with you, and your family.... Judie & critters

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 05:16 AM

My daughter has autism

Re: my daughter has autism

Haven't been there thank god, but siblings have. Just be aware that autism is a really broad term for a whole range of syndromes, OK? And? The earlier you get it diagnosed the earlier you can start the therapy and the better the prognosis.

Hang in there girl ...

(need a hug emoticon, I think)

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 05:49 AM

My daughter has autism

Re: my daughter has autism

I am thinking of you. Autism does include a wide spectrum of symptons.There is a lot of info out there.Try to find a specialist(if you haven,t already).At this point just want you to know that you and your daughter are in our prayers.
Janet

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 06:12 AM

My daughter has autism

Re: my daughter has autism

Patty,
You and your family are in my thoughts.

be strong!
Marcie

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 07:11 AM

My daughter has autism

Re: my daughter has autism

Thinking of you.....

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 07:48 AM

My daughter has autism

Re: my daughter has autism

Hey Patty,
I'm thinking of you and want to agree.. the term 'autism' is very broad, particularly at such a young age.. and you are definitely not at fault!!

You just take good care of each other now and don't let them scare you. Give it plenty of time and get other opinions.

My mum was told I was retarded when I was four. It turned out to be rubbish, but only after they put us through 6 months of tests.

I'm not saying your daughter has been wrongly diagnosed, only that you should try to stay strong and keep her close until you're sure.

Trust your own instincts and look around for other alternative kinds of diagnosis & treatment.

Sending you love & prayers,
MFM

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 08:04 AM

My daughter has autism

Re: my daughter has autism

Patty,
Just keep doing what you are doing. Seeking out more opinions, further testing, further therapy. She sounds like one of those "borderline" cases perhaps? And caught so young. Being an O.T. myself, I know there is a HUGE focus on pediatrics, autism especially. Lots of research and development going on to help her reach her highest potential possible!
You are helping yourself, you are helping her, STAY STRONG! We are thinking of you and please let me know if there is anything I can look up for you...anything info or questions you have. I do not work in peds, but I can do my damndest to find out!
Love,
Rebecca

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 10:09 AM

My daughter has autism

Patty,

I went through the same experience with my daughter at 21 months. We were told she had Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) which put her on the autistic spectrum. AUtism is a spectrum situation-there are varying degrees of it. Anyway, I thought I would die. I was in such despair and in such a dark place. But like many mothers, another part of me rallied, and we got her into speech therapy, occupational therapy and special ed. She got lots of services for a few years and today she is a perfectly normal, typical, happy, emotionally connected 9 year old who has no idea she had this problem!

The important thing, I think, is to hang on to hope and know that their little brains are malleable and connections within can be established. Lots of treatment is the key, in my opinion, whatever will help her engage with people.

My heart goes out to you, it's a scary scary thing to find out your child has a problem like this. Some days I am amazed I am still here; I'm thankful that I am because she is an amazing little girl. Please feel free to write to me in my EZ box if you want to talk. I know the pain you are in-I called them The Dark Days in a paper I wrote about my daughter. Just remember these kids can make a lot of progress!

Ann

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 10:27 AM

My daughter has autism

hi-
I couldn't agree more with the above posts. The term "autism" is frightening but means different things for different individuals, as it can range from mild (most mild can be called "aspergers") to severe. I am a psychologist who works in a prestigious private school considered very academic, and we have a couple of students currently diagnosed with aspergers. Don't despair. Get another opinion. I would recommend having an evaluation by a neuropsychologist with experience working with/diagnosing PDD children (pervasive developmental disorders-autism is one of these). There are lots of supports out there as well, as I am sure the diagnosing dr. will provide you.

good luck

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 10:27 AM

My daughter has autism

I understand

Patty,

I have one son and he developed a mental disease at 14. It runs in my family but I never once thought I'd pass it on because I am fine. I can't tell you the pain, guilt and sheer despair I went through. That's when I started drinking. I coudn't bear it.

Please know that this is Not your fault in any way. And as others have said, there is a very wide spectrum of autism, such as asperger's syndrome which is very mild and they can grow up and be quite normal with the right care. I think my mother may have had a touch of that. She said she didn't say a word till she was 2 1/2, but by the time she went to school she had a normal vocabulary. I will say she found it difficult to express her emotions but there was no doubt she had them. And that was at a time when there was no therapy for anything like this. And no acceptance. Today there is so much to help and she can come through this and be fine.

Patty, I am so sorry you have to face this. You have enough trouble. Perhaps this will bring you and your hub closer, realizing that there are more important things. Together, you will give your daughter the best.

Sending you all good thoughts.

Ned

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 12:37 PM

My daughter has autism

happy

I sent you an email. Hope it is helpful

bak

**Guest** · May 25, 2006, 04:03 PM

My daughter has autism

Dear Patty,

I am so sorry this has happened to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please get a second opinion.

Hugs,
Mary

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