I need some help.

I have just come back from getting DS's private psych testing evaluation (beside the point but he is now classed as having autism disorder not PDD-NOS). Anyway I have been telling her about my concerns about DD#3.

She is three in june and is 10 months behind in her speech (according to child health). She is also showing sings of behaviour/social issues - I have no control over her when we go out, she will run - often onto roads . She is also showing signs of not understanding things and is starting to show signs of sensory issues. Yet she seems to have great eye contact and is quite social.

The psych told me that if it was her child she would be worried and that having one child with ASD is also a huge factor as well.

I am wondering if ASD is different in girls than in boys?

DD is on the public list for speech therapy, they did not sense she needed any OT as her motor skills are fine (well so are DS's really!!). I also have her booked in with DS at the next develop pead appointment in around six months time.

I just have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that DD will be on the spectrum and I am not looking foward to the fight over diagnosis and funding.

It had taken over four years to get DS his diagnosis - and even then he was only diagnosed with PDD-NOS from the develop pead. I had to fight for every little bit of diagnosis, therapy and help he had.


I just don't know what to do, if she will be easier to diagnose as DS is ASD? I could try and get a development report through the private psych which would help greatly in the diagnosis but that is just under $1000, which I do not have and have no idea where I would get that sort of money from.

Just wonder what other parents out there would do in my situation?

TIA

Amanda-Jane

Is your DS involved with any EI or Autism services? Maybe if you flagged it with them you could get some increase in priority for a paed attached to them? They may see your DD as a priority because she has a sibling on the spectrum?

Sorry I can't be of more help, but maybe bumping this will get a better response. Good luck

Definitely fight that fight... Autism can present quite differently in girls, but it sounds as though you're concerned enough to act on your suspicions.

Where abouts are you? There are different means of diagnosis depending on the State you live in.

I'm in QLD, and just had my almost-4yo daughter diagnosed... 6 psych sessions (about $40 after rebate) and a Paed visit (About $80 after rebate) and we're done - funding pending.

I really hope you're able to get some answers to your concerns... I found it was harder not knowing....

ETA: This video, and a few others, helped me to understand a little more about ASD in girls...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIP3X1w3tg

Read this

http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/toddler/to...0402-1w7in.html

Then find a developmental pediatrician who specializes in females on the spectrum.

Have to fly guests arriving!

Hi Amanda-Jane:

Yes, autism (and other forms of ASD like PDD-NOS) can and often do present differently in girls, even if the underlying symptoms are the same. My daughter was just a little younger than yours when she was first flagged for ASD (and diagnosed at age 3).

Where are you located? Different states have different systems for diagnosing young kids.

It's good that you have a developmental paed lined up. Were you happy with this particularly paed when he/she saw your son (or is it a first time visit for you?) I know that 6 months is a long time to wait. What you might try is checking back with the developmental paed's office -- say, every fortnight, to see if there are any cancelled appointments.

I'm sorry that you are dealing with the added stress of worrying about your sweet little girl. You have beautiful children (love your signature pic).

My little girl has
Autism and while she presents similar to boys with autism she has some excellent pretend play skills and is very good at scripting and mimicking situations and interaction even though she doesnt know what it all means. She developed normally and then began a slow regression with new asd traits coming up all the time even after 3 years of EI.
The diagnosis wasnt hard for us, I choose to have a long and intensive diagnosis done by a multi disiplanary team but the end result was Autism without any dispute.
I know of children with extremly minor asd traits being given instant diagnosis and children with very severe autism being messed around before a diagnosis, I think its important to see a developmental paed with a really good rep who will take the time to check out your beautiful girl and if she has ASD then that will come up. Can you go on a cancellation list? I find this usually gets us in within 2 weeks.
It can be easier to get a diagnosis if ASD is already in the family. It also helps to take in observations from any teachers or carers and things you yourself have noticed.
Where abouts are you located?

Good luck! All of your children are so beautiful,

It took us over 6 yrs to finally get an ASD diagnosis for DD1. She was dx at 9.5 yrs, but it wasn't until she was just gone 9 yrs that ASD was even mentioned to me as a possiblity for her behaviour, social skills etc.

DD1 speech was the only thing that was really delayed, but then found out she Language area were moderate to severely delayed as well once she got into the Language Development Centre for junior primary schooling. We just followed every other issue that come up as we noticed the gap getting wider. DD1 is high Functioning and with planning and assistance is accessing a Mainstream High School timetable full time for yr 8 (First yr high school in WA).