18 month old new to autism, living in Italy. DAN/ABA?

March 19, 2012

Hello,

I am very new to all this as my 18 month old daughter was only diagnosed with

mild-medium autism last week. Since then I have been researching a lot. I have

completed an ATEC test where she scored 73 (however as she is only 18 months I

feel that many of the points don't apply to her). Her main issues are that she

doesn't talk at all, doesn't walk (although she has hypermobility in her joints

which is apparently a separate issue), and she doesn't answer to her name or

give eye contact on demand. However, she does give eye contact when you sing or

make funny noises, and smiles, laughs and plays all the time. She crawls well

and is getting more explorative every day. She has just started clapping and

will imitate it, we are now trying to get her to wave, which she is starting to

do. I don't know how worried to be, really.

I am keen to start helping her now, whilst we have the benefit of finding out

about this early... but I don't really know where to start! She now goes to

nursery 4 mornings a week which has alreay improved her social interaction, and

we are beginning physio to help her improve her muscle strength so she will

walk.

She does have a poo problem where she won't go for 4-5 days and has obvious

discomfort even though it is soft. I have been reading about bio-medical

approaches and this seems to fit in with the autism, even though I've been told

it is due to her lack of muscle tone caused by the hypermobility.

Basically, I am asking if there is anyone out there with a similar situation as

a lot of information seems to be about older children. Also I am thinking about

contacting Dr Grabriella Lesmo in Milan as she is a DAN doctor to see if

there is anything worth changing. I am also trying to find a speech therapist

to get her talking. I have also looked at ABA but it is hard to find the right

resources. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks,

Jo

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