my kid who started talking late has mild autism spectrum disorder

Darshini,

How old is your child now? Never mind, just saw your ticker!

Contrary to what your doc suggests, you should contact your school district and get him enrolled in the school for preschool because most public schools offer early admission to kids who have challenges so that they can learn to cope and try to keep up with grade level and come main stream. So first, please do that. It is not late even now - school year has just begun. Check your school district's web site and find relevant information and send an email. I am sure they will respond to you.

That said, for therapy it is best if your pediatrician can suggest some one. If he gets in to the school, they will also have an intervention specialist and further will suggest other options to you. Don't shy away from contacting them. I have known people who had their kids in a preschool program from the age of 2.

Therapy will certainly help him. Don't panic. Simply focus on what he needs and work at giving him and getting him your best. I have heard of kids who have made tremendous progress. Best wishes and keep interacting here as well for there are many ILs who can offer you suggestions and help you through this. Best wishes.

 

Dear Dhariniusa
I dont have answer to your query but i think these threads will be of use to you

http://www.indusladies.com/forums/t...-langauge-development-children-questions.html

http://www.indusladies.com/forums/toddlers/172865-speech-therapy-advised-2-8-a.html

Hope this helps

 

Hello Dharshini,

Even my son comes under the same spectrum. He is 2.5 and knows his abcs & 123 but still struggles to ask for water and other daily things. He is under therapy and I see great progress already .

Lets keep in touch.

Regards,
Malar

 

OP,
Was your child diagnosed after a developmental assessment? In other words have you had a formal diagnosis done? Usually the diagnostician will refer you to the necessary department. They will also tell you how many hours of services is needed per week and if your child will benefit from other related services too (ot, play therapy). It used to be that children under 3 get services from the county health services and 3 to school age through school district. There have been a lot of restructuring in most states. Call up your local school district and find out what the procedure is in your area.

Even if your child is in a preschool, the therapist will come to his school an provide services. The teacher and therapist will work together to work on the goals all through the school day. Speech therapy is usually provided for 30-40mts 1-3 times a week. Even if this is a pull in session (where the therapist works with the child in the classroom as opposed to a private session in a therapy room) your child will need to practice the skills through out the day. For that the teacher needs to know what the goals are and how to address them in the classroom.
The educational liaison will look at the report to determine the hours of therapy. It is important for you to talk to the diagnostician to push for more hours. They may feel that his needs are mild and so recommend fewer hours of services. Remember though, that the greater the intensity (of intervention at a young age), the better your child will fare. Your tax dollars are paying for this. So be pushy, and ask for what other services can help your child bridge the gap.

 

OP,
I your son has a hard time staying in one place, you might want to look into occupational therapy(OT) too...it is one way of teaching young children to regulate their bodies. To be able to benefit from speech therapy, your son will have to learn to stay in one place to hear and follow directions, attend to the task and complete it. Children in the spectrum benefit tremendously from OT-it is usually a series of motor/play activities to target the child's individual needs. Yes, speech therapy will help to develop communication skills (which may reduce some of his behaviors) but keep an eye out for other services as well.

Occupational therapy for autism - how will it help my child?

If the school district doesn't bring it up, do ask for an OT review.

 

As others said, please check in local public school district. Are you in US?, if yes it would be great if you check in local school district, they provide all kind of assessments. IS your kid going to regular daycare now?, by 2 he said 50 words so how he asks you if he needs water or snacks he want?

 

what is ASD?

I'm a bit confused!...

Mine is 3 n 1/2 now... but she talks alright but it still babyish... i can understand but say not 100% just 90% but and stranger cant... she can say 1-10 but always misses 6 no matter how many times i've taught her... and in the ABC's she misses atleast 4 alphabets regularly.... but she can say words with the alphabet... thanks to a song! rhymes ? words very unclear... i just thought she is being shy and plus i have never pushed her to have it all... been going slow and she is attending preschool for 3 months now... but talking hasnt got any better... but yes she has picked up new words and will use it in the apt way...

am i missing something? is there anythng serious behind not talking clearly yet?