Autism - Allentown, PA

I read a very helpful book on the autism diagnoses entitled Demystifying Autism by William Stillman. He has since written two additional books. He is an adult with Asperger's Syndrome himself. As I said, I found all of his books to be immensely helpful!

Our family physician treats this and is VERY successful!! Her name is Elaine Hardy, RN, MSN, APN, C and her website is www.holisticfamilyhealthcarepc.com. She is very KNOWLEDGEABLE and is definitely worth the trip to NJ to meet her and see her at work!! She has links on her website and tries to treat naturally without drugs. She will do email and phone followups if you aren't nearby even! I highly recommend her for this. She takes her time w/you and explains everything so we can understand it. Good luck!

N.,

Where do you live? I work with children with Autism and other pervasive d/o's. I could recommend some non-profit providers for you and your child in your area. Early intervention is key. The earlier, the better. I highly recommend starting with a Psychaitrist to get a proper diagnosis. After you get a diagnosis, you can attain speech and occupational therapy. Therapists are also beneficial to provide behavioral therapy in the home, schools, and community. They will help you develop strategies in dealing with challenging behaviors.

N., I first thoughts on reading your question is Who has given you all of these diagnosis? That is a lot of conditions for children so young to have. Did the school screen your kindergartener? Did your doctor make the diagonsis? I would question them and have them give you information. Don't start any drug program until you have all of the answers.
Please keep us updated with this.
Jane

Hi! First of all, God bless you for all that you are doing for your boys.

I'm familiar with ADHD, autism, and ODD, but not the other two by their acronyms. If the boys have official diagnoses from a doctor or psychiatrist, you should have a few speed bumps but not impossible hurdles to get the help that should be available in the school system to help. Your pediatrician should be able to provide great resources for information about each diagnosis.

Have you met with the principal and/or your boys' teachers? If not, it would be a very good idea to do that with and/or without the boys. That way, they can begin to assess their skill levels and possible areas for more assistance. Again, depending on the school system you may or may not need to be more proactive and push for either a 504 agreement or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), if you and the school system believe that such assistance is necessary.

The process to attain special education services can be a very tricky, legally binding process. If specific interventions by the teacher are required on a regular basis without the need of a special education teacher, then a 504 should offer enough protection. If another specialist (speech, special ed, emotional support) is necessary, you will need an IEP. The school district where I worked had a school-based intervention teacher who would help parents take the next steps toward whatever assistance is necessary. A guidance counselor could also provide insight as to what comes next in the process. You need someone at the school who works to understand your son's needs and who works for his success as hard as you are working for it, no matter what steps may need to be taken to get that help. The IEP process can be very time consuming, often taking up to a year in the upper grades. Kindergarten is a great age to get early intervention assistance. Don't be intimidated by all of this, please. Just take every day one step at a time as it will be a learning process on both sides - for the school to learn about your son's needs and for you to learn how the school can best help him and you.

UNfortunately, I don't know much about the preschool assistance programs, but this info should help a little for the kindergartener. Sorry! Best wishes for all of you!!!!!

Hi N.! I am a special ed. teacher, I also have two teenage foster sons with disabilities including adhd, autism, odd, and a host of medical issues (plus an almost 2 year old and one on the way). At times it can feel overwhelming, which is why there is a slew of support groups out there...around here! I'd be happy to keep in contact with you via personal messages, email, or phone. They key for you will be support and outside intervention. Contact you public school intermediate unit as soon as possible to discuss early intervention options (you can get the contact information from your local school district)and services are FREE. The important thing is to remember you children are kids first...kids who are effected by these disorders they are NOT the disorder nor is there really a "text-book" case. Each child is different.

N.,

There are many web sites out there for these disorders. I highly recommend www.autismlink.org and www.aboard.com for general autism and related disorders information. For educational resources and to help you get what your boys needs and are entitled to in school (as well as general support) www.starfishadvocacy.org is an invaluable site.

Also, go to your library and check out the books they have available. Autism Link and aboard both have local support groups....one of the best resources in existance!

Good luck!

I would get a second opinion immediately. Oppositional Defiant Disorder being diagnosed in a kindergarten and pre-school age child doesn't seem to make much sense to me. I would assume it's pretty hard to tell the difference between a 3 year old preschooler having frequent tantrums and a child with ODD to an untrained eye. Also, the chances of them both having all the same diagnoses would raise an alarm with me!
I am not sure what ETD and TD are? Sounds like a second or even third opinion would be your best bet, preferably having them seen by a licensed psychiatrist. Definitely agree with PP about NOT starting ANY meds until they have been confirmed by more than one doctor.
Also, as I know you already know, firm and consistent discipline (along with tons of love of course!)is the best way to help the kids feel safe and secure. They are at an age where they will test limits, and it's very confusing for a young child to get inconsistent reactions from a parent. Helping them understand the difference between what's acceptable and what's not has a huge impact on future behavior, and at this age it can be as simple as "What was "NO" yesterday is still "NO" today, no matter how how hard you kick and yell!". ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed disorder in the country for kids under 10, and these days there are lots of ways to get a handle on it with no medication. Of course, I am not a doctor so just make sure to get a CLEAR, CONCISE answer from any and all docs looking to diagnose your kids!!! Keep us updated on what happens and best of luck to you! :) Keeping you and your little guys in my prayers!!

Just checked, if TD means "tardive dyskinesia" that is a disorder that is caused from prolonged use of anti-psychotic drugs. It's the only thing I could find that matches the acronym, but that can't possible be correct in such young children. I used to work with kids who had this, just never knew the intitals for it. It can as little as 4 years on meds for this to happen. What it is a side effect of the meds causing involuntary movement. Could this also be what they mean by ETD (Eye tracking disorder)? If so, certainly does not make any sense to me unless your kids are schizophrenic, which is virtually impossible given their ages. Def see a different doctor ASAP! Someone is giving you very bad advice in my opinion.

I have a son that is 10 and they are just know starting to test and I have been fighting with the school to get it done, It came from someone who doesnt work for school. The school disrtict that I am in, it is all about money, not the kids. I am still fighting for him to get the right education. And that can be a fight to in its own. I to am looking to where to turn, it is a little harder due to the age. But if you look autism there are so many things that a lot of the falls under.Adhd is a sign of autism. Something that i am working on is looking into diet. They sometimes say that diet will have an effect. I am not one to med him so i look for heather ways,

If u need help we all seem to be here to help. Dont be affraid to speak up and say to NO to the school or doctor. Only u know ur children.

Hi N.,

There is an Autism Society. Find a local chapter
near you.

Hope this helps. D.

check website www.picofdel.org an excellent site for information

My name is Dr. E. H. and I want to let you know about a new treatment called Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy provided by a device called The Bax 3000. I am using it in my office and am having great results. It is completely safe and natural.For more information visit my website at

WWW.biovedaofbethlehem.com

It does help sometimes dramatically with Autistic symptoms.