Talk about unprepared!

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

SALT came to house today to see DD in home environment. I was alone as I had been told she wouldn't be diagnosed for ages and didn't expect anything to happen today.

Then she said that both she and paed feel DD does have ASD, and seeing her today confirmed it due to her difficulties in language and interaction, and they are going to diagnose her ASAP so she can get help.

To say I was unprepared for this is a MASSIVE understatement. I had been thinking along the lines of language today with traits as she has been interacting with me LOTS and her pretend play has been amazing (she is only 2.10). The SALT said she sees lots of kids on spectrum and some only have problems in one or two areas like DD.

She thinks there is great scope for improvement as DDs language and interaction ARE coming along and she does have some nice traits (pretend play, some imitation, great keenness to learn and high intelligence).

But...I am shellshocked to say the LEAST. And no support here as didn't think I'd NEED any.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I meant language DELAY when I said language TODAY, not thinking clearly.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I mean, DD wouldn't let me talk to the SALT as she kept trying to interact with me and make me engage with HER, silly me had thought this meant she couldnt be on the spectrum.

[claw3]

Do you not agree with the dx or do you have doubts?

[Marne]

"DD wouldn't let me talk to the SALT as she kept trying to interact with me and make me engage with HER, silly me had thought this meant she couldnt be on the spectrum."

This sounds similar to dd1, she showed some ASD traits but her interaction was good, she did the same when SALT came to visit , i started to doubt if dd1 was on the spectrum and by the time we went for her dx she was showing very few signs of ASD so i was a little shocked when she got a dx of Aspergers.

I think its very hard to tell when they are this young as a speech delay/disorder can show similar traits to ASD which is why they don't like to say for sure if its ASD or not, dd2 got a dx of ASD a few weeks ago, she's 3.5 and for a while we were unsure if it was just a speech delay but it soon became clear that she had ASD.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

claw, I probably do agree with the DX, but I suppose I was hoping it wouldn't be, or at least it wouldn't be NOW, wasn't yet prepared for it at ALL, certainly not TODAY.

I got the impression they consider a language delay to be on the ASD spectrum anyway and wouldn't differentiate. Maybe different areas are different with regards to DX?

DD's interaction is not good at all with anyone other than US, but recently it has become AMAZING with me.She just beamed her head off at me while I gave her lunch and was smiling back at me with the biggest grin I had ever seen. So hopefully in time she WILL interact with others, especially other children.

[claw3]

Im at the opposite end, we have been going round in circles with dx's for years and still dont have a formal one, i think my feeling would be relief, that im not mad or imagining it!!

At about the same age as your DD though, i think i would have been shocked and found it hard to believe that my son had a disorder,he was always so well behaved, he just had a few 'quirks'(or so i thought)

I think you are doing very well and already looking on the bright side.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I get the impression we are quite lucky with DXs/provision in this area (Edinburgh) I have always known it would happen I suppose so have had months of not looking on the bright side and being very upset before I have become able to be a wee bit more positive.

I hope you get some answers soon.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I don't think I did very well when I blubbed on the poor SALT though.

[claw3]

LOL i turned into a blubbering mess on my first appointment with OT, to final speak to someone who not only understood what i saying, but had some answered too!

She appears to have now disappeared from the face of the earth and wont return my calls, i could do a lot more than blub on her now !

Anyhow good luck and all the best to you and your DD x

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks, and to you.

DD has decided that today will be a no nap day (very rare) so off to take her out, could have done with some time to relax/recover too!

Thanks for listening!!

[claw3]

We are currently playing snakes and ladders with George (imaginary friend). I shall be off now too, a visit to the park to get rid of some energy i think.

Have fun!

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Well, the day got slightly better, went for walk to shopping centre and DD obligingly fell asleep in buggy, for long enough for me to buy a pair of shoes I couldn't afford, then I called my mum who by strange coincidence had just put the exact cost into my bank account to buy a treat to cheer me up!!!

[claw3]

Brilliant mmmmm shoes paid for by someone else, just what the doctor ordered

[5inthebed]

That was lovely of your mum

Sorry you had a bit of a shock with the SALT today . I had a SALT and EP atmy house, and they did the same with me. I was in shock for weeks, even after the final DX. It does take some time to adjust to what you've been told, but keep posting here. This board is a (virtual) font of knowledge.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks Everyone here has already helped so much, even if I haven't posted that much I have still been reading lots of stuff on here.

[HelensMelons]

A therapeutic shop is definitely in order when you get news about a dx!

This board is a great help and support and there are lots of mummys on here who have dc's with an asd / dc's with an asd and speech difficulties and those who have dc's with speech problems - so lots and lots of knowledge x

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks, will probably be here a lot once I accept things a bit!!

[lingle]

Hi Fanjo, thank you for that package which was extremely delicious!

Sounds like a weird day. I suppose all I would say is that the progress your daughter has recently made is the really important and significant thing.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Glad you liked them!

It was weird, and hard, I share your concerns about labels and DXs.

[claw3]

How are you feeling today Fanjo, still shell shocked?

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Well, I dont feel well today, prob a bug, sore head and fever. Also took DD to a playgroup I havent been to for ages, met my close friend there, and blubbed a bit when telling her. It was really embarrassing as its a tiny room and everyone was staring, I didn't really know anyone.

Everyone said how lovely and content and happy DD was and were admiring her drawings of people though.

She really does smile all the time.

[claw3]

Sorry to hear that you poor thing, just what you needed i should imagine a sore head and fever on top of the shock.

Nothing wrong with a good blubber, i wouldnt worry about what they thought. Just think of the shoes and your DD's smile

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks She is not smiling now, she has woken up in a grump, very rare, and is making grumpy noises which are going right through my head, roll on 6pm when Daddy arrives to take her out for her run round the garden