Hi, Im Randee...

May 15, 2001

I would definitely have him evaluated. My son Hunter was diagnosed with

Infantile Autism at 2. He seems very mild to me also but what made me seek

out help was that he was only saying a few words and then he would stop

saying them. Except for him flipping through books constantly, loving the

preview channel (would watch it for hours if you let him), and opening and

shutting doors all the time, he seemed fine. What always had me second

guessing myself about him was everything I read about autism didn't fit him.

He didn't bang his head, have severe tantrums, or have a problem with

routines. He's also very loving. Now I know this isn't the autistic child of

today where our children can be anywhere from very mild to severe but still

clearly autistic. I hope you find some answers and I pray that your son is

okay.

Jo (South Carolina)

May 15, 2001

Hi,

Im a young mom of 3 boys, and I am now trying to find out if my middle son,

Dyson, has autism. I have set up a few apointments (for urinary peptide tests,

allergists) to hopefully get a few answers and was wondering if any of you could

help me with which direction to go & where to go, because this is all new to

me!?

My son doesnt show the major signs of autism, but we are vegan (dairy free)

and I have heared that if you take dairy/gluten out that the diet that they will

improve - which may be why he isnt so bad as some stories I hear.

He is social and looks in your eyes - notices me, etc when he wants to, BUT he

is very indipendent and prefures to play alone... kinda his own person, but not

like some stories where they are always in there own world... and he is known to

play with others - just not as often as a 2 year old usually would. He bites

himself way bad on his hand... like bits the skin and pulls - this is everyday

multiple times, esspecially when he is frustrated because he wants something

and I dont understand or Im takeing him away from his toys, etc to go to bed or

eat. He loves crunchy foods like pretzels, crackers, etc... and is now starting

to not like his spaggetti. He used to shake his head sometimes for a long time

(sometimes while walking and he would run into walls). He prefures to not be

comforted when hurt or mad/frustrated - has a bad temper. Likes to repete

actions (open the doors on his car toy and close for a long time - over and

over). Used to say " wus-a " (whats that) or " wus-iss " (whats this) " daaaa " (dad)

while pointing... doesnt any more... has a 0 word vocabulary turned 2 this

month. Does say mmmmaaaaa (kissing sound) while kissing and waves bye... he

gets his cup and leads me to the water cooler when thirsty. Takes my hand and

leads me to what he wants... so he finds his way to communicate. Doesnt get

shoes or objects when asked or does not do/follow commands... as if he doesnt

understand. Doesnt make animal sounds or point to objects when asked (ex:

wheres the cow {in a book} point to it?) His frustation cry makes others think

he is badly hurt. He is mostly distant But can be affectionate when he wants to

be. when playing with objects on the floor with other kids, he usually wont

join in, plays alone- But loves to rough house esspecially with daddy (more

responcive to my DH). After eating or drinking... whats left he throws on the

floor, or even sometimes on me. Seldom smiles of laughs. He does sleep well at

night- but usually when he wakes up from his nap he is a bear... naptime he

likes to play in his room and get into stuff more then sleep... find him under

his bed or floor once he falls asleep.

WOW- what else??? cant remember... anyways all this, but he still isnt as bad

as everything I read - actually a lot more pleasant... What do you think?

Autism or not? Could his symptoms be milder because he has never *or seldomely*

had dairy? HELP?!? Any other characteristics of autism that he doesnt show that

could help me distinguish it?

I started to question this after reading a book " What about Ty - a true vaccine

injury story. " and things are kinda clicking... I came accross veganism about

the same time as I weaned him... could this be coinsidence or not? anyways...

Thanks for takeing the time to read.... and thanks for letting me on the list.

Hope to find the answers to my concerns- I will keep you posted on my findings.

~Sincerely,

Randee

YLDSM webmistress/list-mom!

http://www.youngldsmothers.com

Wife to 1 cool guy & SAHM to 3 boys!

http://www.geocities.com/randeesanders

May 15, 2001

Randee, download what you have written on this board and take it with

you to an appointment with a developmental pediatrician. You need to

make this appointment NOW, since these guys are booked way in advance.

Have your pediatrician put in a word to get you in right away.

To date, there is no way to " test " for autism spectrum disorders. The

diagnosis can only be made by a qualified developmental pediatrician,

and preferably a team of pediatrician, speech pathologist,

occupational therapist, child psychologist. Our evaluation (when Ben

was 2.6 years old) lasted for 13 hours, over a three days period. They

will observe your child with you and without, will ask thousands of

questions and take a complete med and developmental history.

You may find that after this eval your child receives a diagnosis of

OCD or delay with autistic tendencies. Be wary of these. It may be the

perfectly right diagnosis, but most states only provide services for

an autism diagnosis. The develop. ped will most likely know if this is

the case. You need the services, so make sure you get the right label.

(for example, my son is PDDNOS, pervasive developmental delay not

otherwise specified, and from what you say your child seems to be mild

too, but all our drs. say autism spectrum disorder--which it is, but

you need to use the " A " word).

It is wonderful that you are starting early. We started with therapy

at 2.6 and with biomed intervention a few months later, and now after

one year Ben is doing so wonderfully. The earlier the better!

There are a number of tests that can be done to lead you down the

right road, after you get the diagnosis. The best thing is to look at

the Great Plains Lab website to get an idea; also you can read Lynn

Hamilton's book Facing Autism. This is a good start. Going gluten and

casein free 100% is VERY hard, so worth it if it is needed, but first

get your diagnosis and do some testing. We did, and it convinced us to

stay the course. Ben has been GFCF for 8 months, has no more gluten or

casein peptides in his system and just started saying " I luv you " .

Music to our ears. Best of luck to you...

Ben's Mom

> Hi,

>

> Im a young mom of 3 boys, and I am now trying to find out if my

middle son, Dyson, has autism. I have set up a few apointments (for

urinary peptide tests, allergists) to hopefully get a few answers and

was wondering if any of you could help me with which direction to go

& where to go, because this is all new to me!?

>

> My son doesnt show the major signs of autism, but we are vegan

(dairy free) and I have heared that if you take dairy/gluten out that

the diet that they will improve - which may be why he isnt so bad as

some stories I hear.

>

> He is social and looks in your eyes - notices me, etc when he wants

to, BUT he is very indipendent and prefures to play alone... kinda

his own person, but not like some stories where they are always in

there own world... and he is known to play with others - just not as

often as a 2 year old usually would. He bites himself way bad on his

hand... like bits the skin and pulls - this is everyday multiple

times, esspecially when he is frustrated because he wants something

and I dont understand or Im takeing him away from his toys, etc to go

to bed or eat. He loves crunchy foods like pretzels, crackers, etc...

and is now starting to not like his spaggetti. He used to shake his

head sometimes for a long time (sometimes while walking and he would

run into walls). He prefures to not be comforted when hurt or

mad/frustrated - has a bad temper. Likes to repete actions (open the

doors on his car toy and close for a long time - over and over).

Used to say " wus-a " (whats that) or " wus-iss " (whats this) " daaaa "

(dad) while pointing... doesnt any more... has a 0 word vocabulary

turned 2 this month. Does say mmmmaaaaa (kissing sound) while

kissing and waves bye... he gets his cup and leads me to the water

cooler when thirsty. Takes my hand and leads me to what he wants...

so he finds his way to communicate. Doesnt get shoes or objects when

asked or does not do/follow commands... as if he doesnt understand.

Doesnt make animal sounds or point to objects when asked (ex: wheres

the cow {in a book} point to it?) His frustation cry makes others

think he is badly hurt. He is mostly distant But can be affectionate

when he wants to be. when playing with objects on the floor with

other kids, he usually wont join in, plays alone- But loves to

rough house esspecially with daddy (more responcive to my DH). After

eating or drinking... whats left he throws on the floor, or even

sometimes on me. Seldom smiles of laughs. He does sleep well at

night- but usually when he wakes up from his nap he is a bear...

naptime he likes to play in his room and get into stuff more then

sleep... find him under his bed or floor once he falls asleep.

>

> WOW- what else??? cant remember... anyways all this, but he still

isnt as bad as everything I read - actually a lot more pleasant...

What do you think? Autism or not? Could his symptoms be milder

because he has never *or seldomely* had dairy? HELP?!? Any other

characteristics of autism that he doesnt show that could help me

distinguish it?

>

> I started to question this after reading a book " What about Ty - a

true vaccine injury story. " and things are kinda clicking... I came

accross veganism about the same time as I weaned him... could this be

coinsidence or not? anyways... Thanks for takeing the time to

read.... and thanks for letting me on the list. Hope to find the

answers to my concerns- I will keep you posted on my findings.

>

> ~Sincerely,

> Randee

>

> YLDSM webmistress/list-mom!

> http://www.youngldsmothers.com

> Wife to 1 cool guy & SAHM to 3 boys!

> http://www.geocities.com/randeesanders

>

May 15, 2001

Hi randee, from what you wrote he does sound like he is on the spectrum to

me. My little guy was similar in alot of ways, only Dakota was obsessed with

spinning, wheels, himself toys ect, he also used to line his toys up in a

row instead of playing, you are making a smart choice having him evaluated,

have you got in touch with the early intervention program in your state? He

is definatly going to need speech therapy, early intervention was who did my

sons evaluations and pointed out he may be PDD, I got and read unravelling

the mystery of autism and Pdd by Kathyrn seroussi, and started the gf/cf

diet. My little guy was DX with autism in Jan this year, and now it is may

we have been gf/cf for 7 months and if he were to be evaluated today he no

longer meets the criteria for autism, and I belive the diet was his savior.

I do think bieng dairy free has been to you sons benefit and do suggest you

go gluten free as soon as possible, only a mother knows best and if you have

suspected Autism you are probably right. Keep reasearching and get in

contact with a good DAN doctor as soon as you can. Good luck to you. LIsa F

Hi, Im Randee...

> Hi,

>

> Im a young mom of 3 boys, and I am now trying to find out if my middle

son, Dyson, has autism. I have set up a few apointments (for urinary

peptide tests, allergists) to hopefully get a few answers and was wondering

if any of you could help me with which direction to go & where to go,

because this is all new to me!?

>

> My son doesnt show the major signs of autism, but we are vegan (dairy

free) and I have heared that if you take dairy/gluten out that the diet

that they will improve - which may be why he isnt so bad as some stories I

hear.

>

> He is social and looks in your eyes - notices me, etc when he wants to,

BUT he is very indipendent and prefures to play alone... kinda his own

person, but not like some stories where they are always in there own

world... and he is known to play with others - just not as often as a 2 year

old usually would. He bites himself way bad on his hand... like bits the

skin and pulls - this is everyday multiple times, esspecially when he is

frustrated because he wants something and I dont understand or Im takeing

him away from his toys, etc to go to bed or eat. He loves crunchy foods

like pretzels, crackers, etc... and is now starting to not like his

spaggetti. He used to shake his head sometimes for a long time (sometimes

while walking and he would run into walls). He prefures to not be comforted

when hurt or mad/frustrated - has a bad temper. Likes to repete actions

(open the doors on his car toy and close for a long time - over and over).

Used to say " wus-a " (whats that) or " wus-iss " (whats this) " daaaa " (dad)

while pointing... doesnt any more... has a 0 word vocabulary turned 2 this

month. Does say mmmmaaaaa (kissing sound) while kissing and waves bye...

he gets his cup and leads me to the water cooler when thirsty. Takes my

hand and leads me to what he wants... so he finds his way to communicate.

Doesnt get shoes or objects when asked or does not do/follow commands... as

if he doesnt understand. Doesnt make animal sounds or point to objects when

asked (ex: wheres the cow {in a book} point to it?) His frustation cry

makes others think he is badly hurt. He is mostly distant But can be

affectionate when he wants to be. when playing with objects on the floor

with other kids, he usually wont join in, plays alone- But loves to rough

house esspecially with daddy (more responcive to my DH). After eating or

drinking... whats left he throws on the floor, or even sometimes on me.

Seldom smiles of laughs. He does sleep well at night- but usually when he

wakes up from his nap he is a bear... naptime he likes to play in his room

and get into stuff more then sleep... find him under his bed or floor once

he falls asleep.

>

> WOW- what else??? cant remember... anyways all this, but he still isnt

as bad as everything I read - actually a lot more pleasant... What do you

think? Autism or not? Could his symptoms be milder because he has never

*or seldomely* had dairy? HELP?!? Any other characteristics of autism that

he doesnt show that could help me distinguish it?

>

> I started to question this after reading a book " What about Ty - a true

vaccine injury story. " and things are kinda clicking... I came accross

veganism about the same time as I weaned him... could this be coinsidence or

not? anyways... Thanks for takeing the time to read.... and thanks for

letting me on the list. Hope to find the answers to my concerns- I will

keep you posted on my findings.

>

> ~Sincerely,

> Randee

>

> YLDSM webmistress/list-mom!

> http://www.youngldsmothers.com

> Wife to 1 cool guy & SAHM to 3 boys!

> http://www.geocities.com/randeesanders

>

May 15, 2001

Hi Randee,

Sounds like the same story I went through with my son. Very mild symptoms,

so I initially dismissed the idea of autism. My son also was never on

dairy, and was breastfed until 15 months. From the time I started solids,

he never was a very good eater. Never tried to feed himself with a spoon,

was easily frustrated, can't count how many fat lips and almost broken noses

I received in the early days from his tantrums (head flying back faster than

you can move out of the way!). I asked my pediatrican about his language

delays at age 2 and he wasn't overly concerned -- but I was! So I took him

to a speech therapist for an evaluation. She tested him and found him to be

very delayed and was kind enough to mention the " A " word (autism) and gave

me a book on autism. I was mad that she dared suggest that he was autistic

(I thought you had to be REALLY bad to have autism), yet in my aching heart,

as I read the book I knew she was right. I cried and then decided that that

wasn't going to help him or me. So I got busy researching and learning all

I could about effective interventions for autism. I'm not one to dwell on

the problem, I want solutions! So I started researching ABA and dietary

interventions. I found out about how to get services from the school

district (my son was almost 3) and how to get the correct diagnosis. I knew

I wanted to do ABA but needed the autism diagnosis to get the school

district to pay for it. So I went to a developmental pediatrician armed

with my list of my son's autistic symptoms. After a short visit (less than

30 minutes), the doctor asked me, " what is it that you want from me? " I

told him that I wanted him to be diagnosed with autism so he could get the

speech, ABA, and OT services paid for by the school district. I said,

" unless you think there is no way he would be helped by these therapies " .

He said that he felt my son would be helped by these therapies and would

give me a diagnosis of autism. I had already been to another developmental

pediatrician who told me there was no way my son had autism because he was

" too affectionate " . So, if you research autism and find that your son fits

a lot of the symptoms, make it clear that you want the diagnosis of autism

(I think doctors are afraid they will freak parents out if they say " autism "

and maybe some would). I'm sure my son would have received the PDD

diagnosis unless I said I wanted the autism diagnosis. The label doesn't

matter to me, I just wanted to help my son to learn. I have nothing but

good things to say about ABA (at least the way we did it). I went with my

heart in our ABA program and modified it to my comfort level. I was firm

but never unloving. I also did the GFCF diet with him for 3 months at that

time, but saw no results (except he was losing weight because he barely ate

any regular foods, let alone the GFCF ones). We have just started the diet

again about 2 weeks ago, as he is older now and eats a greater variety of

foods, can be bribed , and I'm not so worried about him losing weight.

ABA did not " cure " my son, but he is a different child now -- not in his own

world and able to learn anything he wants to. More importantly, I

understand him so well now and know how to teach him (we home school).

Good luck in your efforts to help your son. And know what I didn't know

then -- you are not alone in this. It will be O.K.

Liberty