So we got the ados results for dd...and we don't understand it. First they gave her module 1 which from everything I see online is for nonverbal kids...dd is is techniqually on level both expressive and receptive language lower average end...so should she have had a different module? Also it feels like the observer (dr who has been working with her for a year now) didn't pay attention to some of the things dd did...I almost feel like she had a preconceived notion about dd and that was she is not on the spectrum. I am willing to accept that dd is not on the spectrum but it's hard to accept 1 dr saying yes and another saying no. Would it be in our best interest to find someone who hasn't worked with dd to give her the ados again hopefully module 2 or 3?

I don't know where else to go out here...and I get really stressed out...I consistently feel like people are going to tell me I am nuts my child is normal...even when my dh and other therapists think she has issues I still worry that people are going to tell me I am crazy to keep pursuing things because there is nothing wrong with her....which may be one of the reasons this has been really hard because it feels like the dr is saying there is nothing wrong with my child, which negates what I have to do each and every day to help her.

Sadly we can't get any help unless she gets diagnosed with autism...we tried with ADHD but everything revolves around the diagnosis of autism. Also many people who meet my daughter and hear she has ADHD think she is a naughty child and refuse accomadations...but say autism and they jump with how to help. Its so frustrating...without a label I feel like I did before where I had no idea what to do that would help her because the normal stuff doesn't work, the ADHD stuff doesn't help her play with other kids...and so again we are left back at square one with what do we do with our little girl so that she can be the best she. I think she went in with the opinion dd didn't have autism...she has been working with dd for a year now and has never felt she had autism...but this doctor also doesn't believe in sensory processing disorder. I don't know about administer it correctly because I don't know how it was suppose to be administered, what it was testing or how the scores are determined. I think she will be scoring it to her view that dd doesn't have autism rather than being truly objective...I almost wish the person who did the test had never met my child and could be truly objective.

Be aware its not always the studio...when I danced 1 studio director was incredible about accepting all body types as long as they worked hard and could do the dancing. But it was the costumer for nutcracker that told me I need to lose weight...At another studio the director removed me from a part because I didn't lose the extra 10 lbs she wanted me to...I was at the thinnest I had been since puberty but had developed thighs and it just wasn't the "look" she wanted. But a true eating disorder is more than just about a dancers body, its about feelings of control and worthiness. Dancing may trigger it but there is more than just wanting to be thin or a person would not go to the extremes that they do. So look for a teacher who does not demean the dancers who helps them be better by pushing and praising but not demeaning.

4 weeks ago we say a neuropshyc that said he thought dd had high functioning autism. Today I went to see our child development person who gave her the ADOS...although she hasn't scored it yet I asked what she thought...and she said she has no idea why the neuro said autism...dd is not autistic just very oppositional. Although while testing she wouldn't play with the dolls...instead she played with the cushion from the chair, would not engage in the activity the Dr wanted. When the dr brought out a squeaking frog she covered her ears...then took the frog and squeaked it in her ear over and over and over again. When dr brought out a cylinder and said it can hop dd said no it can't it rolls. But she did do the birthday party part just fine because she is in love with birthdays...although she covered her ears during the singing, and stopped mid activity when she realized the eyes on the doll blinking and played with them for a bit...I was shocked...I had forgotten how repetitive and playing with parts of objects she still did...but the Dr said she was normal. So I am now in tears because I feel like I am left with nothing once again. We are back at square one :(

Thank you for posting this article. My dd is in a sped preschool program, when she was diagnosed 4 weeks ago with high functioning autism we told the school. They said we don't believe that...it's because she works so so hard to be at school so they just see quirky, we see it all. She wants to be "normal" and tries very hard to approximate normal but that does show how much her autism effects her.

The big difference between the girl/boy thing is that with a boy it is drop pants check...this dr is asking a young girl to take off all of her clothes leaving her to feel unprotected, possibly without control. It is a very uncomfortable position to be a room with a backless robe. I hate the feeling at my yearly how would a young girl feel to be practically naked then told spread em, even if it is just an external check. Now I would understand a dr having a girl pull down her pants for a check but the loss of dignity and control in a backless piece of paper as a young teenager, I don't think that is appropriate.

so I went there and they do have info...but I can't access it without an account...and I don't want to give them any more information...any idea what to do?

There have been 13 babies born in my church since August...there are 6 more due this summer...everyone woman who was in the infertility group has a new baby or is pregnant...except me...and it would be a medical miracle if I could get pregnant...we have no money to adopt again and even if we did we could never get approved in our 2 bedroom house. So I am suck out of luck and very sad right now...sorry.

Yep :(

Five in a row or even before five in a row and lots and lots of snuggling and attachment.

I used it as a teacher with 1st graders and LOVE it. I think it is a really active visual way for children to learn phonics. I really like the additional books that you could just copy the sorts from...that really helped with set up. I want to use it with my children but I have not yet done it in a homeschool situation.

Ask for an aide...the most they can do is say no...but if they say yes then you get help. Tell them that this child needs it for himself and that the second teacher in the room is needed for the other 13 children. Tell them it needs to be person that is consistent in church attendance. I would use a visual picture schedule, possibly movable with velcro so the activities can be changed and so that the child can physically move it to realize what comes next. IE Song Prayer Scripture Talk, Sing time, Teaching time, Moving time (possibly break down to drink/bathroom then classroom) then have the parts of the class lesson set up. Then right before each event show the picture and move it to show the next thing. Also social stories specific to church could help. Heres the link to the book that I was talking about that is really good about disabilities in our church.

For me church sunday school time is the only time the whole week when I am not with my child. It is nice to know that my child is safe while being nourished and refreshed myself. I can be renewed for another week.

This sounds like primary...if so I would talk to the primary president about getting an aide for the child...also there is a book specific to lds called disabilities in the gospel has some really good ideas regarding picture schedules and other ideas that help special needs children.

DD is 4 years old. She is ADHD, SPD (sensory seeking), epilepsy, milk allergy and High Functioning Autism. So far I am just using Before Five in a Row very gently and ABCmouse.com. She is currently in the PS special education pre-k class (50% sped 50% NT but teacher is a certified Early Childhood Sped teacher) but I am planning to pull her out after this year.

Do the blood test and retest the skin. My allergist uses both numbers to determine what is the best next step. He has a set of numbers that let him decide if a food challenge might be safe.

what is mb12?

Babies entertains my children...FYI there is nudity - the Nigerian mothers are always topless and the Mongolian baby doesn't wear a diaper pretty much ever....but its one of those it is what it is and never talked about or sexualized

I will get it from my friend, i will pm as soon as i have it. I know she is working with my friends child playing with her and such, so I assume she does.

Denise....You may have already checked this...but there is an attachment therapist (don't know how much RAD experience she has had but know attachment is her specialty) in Lebanon, NH. I don't know her name or if she takes insurance but I have a friend who uses her...if you want the info let me know and I will get it for you.

My HFA dd is also very androgynous...actually leaning to wanting to be a boy...she wears boy clothes, plays with boys at school ect. I talked to another mom of a teenage HFA dd who also said her daughter dressed like a boy too. For my dd I think it is easier to be a boy because she can behave like she does (rough and tumble play, very active) and boys are ok with that...girls want more pretend and interaction which is very very difficult for dd. Its sad my 4 year old already knows she is different :(

Dance academy!

I know it seems like so much at first to go completely dairy free but once you are there you start to realize that it really is easy. Earth Balance is completely dairy free, Silk yogurt is dairy free, Oreos are safe (and a great special treat) Duncan Hines seems to be completely dairy free. In addition I have found that I can just substitute soymilk in any recipe asking for milk and Earth Balance for all butter. The hardest part is reading every single label but milk must be listed either bolded or within the contains section. It can take up to a month completely 100% dairy free to see a difference. Go Dairy Free is a blog that has some great recipes and info.

Do you have a young adult family assistance program she could get into? Where I live there is a program through a local family place that does day care for the kids and works with young (under 24) parents to help them be better parents. I would check to see if there is something like that. Our program is called families working together.