How Did I Know My Son Had Autism?
January 12th, 2010 | 
Author: I get a lot of questions about how I knew Dakota had autism and when did we see the first signs. Honestly I don’t remember how the word Autism ever came up. I don’t remember if my husband said something to me that caused me to search Autism. I really don’t remember.
When Dakota was little he use to bang his head a lot for no reason at all. That became a concern to use so we brought it up to our pediatrician at the time. We had him checked many times for an ear infection and most of the time he didn’t have any. So we just chalked that up to maybe a behavior of some sort.
As he got a little older he would rock back and forth in the corners. He would stare out the window for a long time. Dakota could hear fire trucks coming a mile away and run to the window to look out. At 10 1/2 months he could sit down and watch a full DVD of Barney without movie.
His words were mama, dada, wiggle wiggle, tickle tickle and in time he lost some of those words. He didn’t make eye contact and didn’t like to be around others. He didn’t even respond to his name. We went through hearing tests and other testing. Finally we were sent to a developmental doctor in Madison. She was wonderful.
When we started out the journey we were frustrated. We didn’t know why his words regressed. Dakota didn’t start talking till after 3. When we were first diagnosed Dakota had PDD NOS. Then once we got into the intensive autism therapy he was diagnosed with autism and a couple years ago the diagnosis went to High Functioning Autism.
I must say he has made a lot of gains through the intensive therapy as well as regressions. The most important thing is awareness and knowing the signs. Don’t let people stand in your way if your not happy with answers. I was determined to find out and I wasn’t going to stop until I had answers.
Here is a video about Autism and the Early Signs of Autism:
This may not be all of it. I might have left a few things out but I wanted to write this while I had it on my mind.
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Tags: 6 Responses to “How Did I Know My Son Had Autism?”
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My nephew has recently been diasnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and the doctor said that this is a form of Autism. Is this correct?
Thanks for such an informative post!
.-= A.Marie´s last blog ..TERRIFIC TUESDAY =-.
admin Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Hi A. Marie! Yes Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of Autism. It’s very similar to High Functioning Autism. Although I can’t really tell you the difference between the two. I have been planning on doing some research between the two. I know that Asperger’s typically doesn’t come with a speech delay. At least that’s what I was told by the Neuro Psych. Your welcome. I have some ideas in mind for some future posts on Autism and Aspergers. I am getting Dakota tested again to check to see if he has Asperger’s. Dakota’s doctor seems to think he does. Honestly his Doctor doesn’t know to much about Autism the other person we see at the Doctor’s office does though.
for over 14 months, I have been begging doctors for him to be treated, they told me he had nothing. finally i had a breakdown at the docs office ion september because i just could not deal alone with all of the things going on with him, at school it was at least 5 calls a day about him and his behavior, they just labeled him as “bad kid” finally he is being diagnosed and seen by doctors, i have to tell you, every week, i still demand the therapist to see him again because they say he will outgrow it.
Today he had his appt for medicine evaluation and tomorrow thankfull he starts his occupational therapy.
so many doctors disregard autism diagnosis so easily.
I am glad he is doing better hun, hugs!!!!
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admin Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Have you ever asked the school to screen him for Autism or set up an IEP with some testing? If not I would do that. To bad you couldn’t get referred to a pediatric developmental doctor. Some Doctors don’t know enough about Autism and that’s a shame. Hope all goes well with the medicine evaluation and occupational therapy.
Thanks for sharing this. I am sure you get sick of being asked by so many of us mom’s that just are scared and don’t know what to look for.
.-= Frugal Vicki´s last blog ..And this is me…. =-.
admin Reply:
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
LOL. No I don’t get sick of the questions at all. It gave me an idea for a post. I was running out of ideas.