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I just signed up and I'm not happy about it. My husband and I have 2 children. The oldest is Victoria, she's 5. She was born with a rare brain malformation called holoprosencephaly. She is non-ambulatory (uses a wheelchair), has moderate speech delay, in diapers, has spastic quadplegia cerebral palsy, etc... Our youngest is John Edward aka Eddie. His will be 2 in August. He is really behind in his speech but otherwise seems normal to me. His doctor refered us to early intervention for a speech evaulation. After screening his hearing, which is fine, he had a speech and psych evaluation. After that is when I was told it looks like autism. I was floored. He is a little odd at times but compared to his sister he can do anything. He will start speech and play therapy in the next few weeks. After about 3 months he will be tested again and then given the diagnosis, for now it's pending. I don't know how in the world I can handle 2 special needs kids. We already go to OT, PT, and ST. I'm plugged into our local family support network, that's how I heard about this site. I just feel so overwhelmed.

Julie

Welcome to WP!

I am sorry to hear about your troubles. You are definately doing the right thing in getting early intervention for your son. Many people with autism live active and fullfilled lives, as you will find is the case for many of the members here. The earlier the intervention and support the better the outcome. I am new here too. This site seems to be very friendly and supportive. Feel free to discuss any of your concerns.

Thanks for the welcome. This is the first chance that I've had to really look at the site. My mom has Eddie and Victoria is watching TV. From just a few of the emails I've read it seems alot of people don't care for autism speaks. My local family suooprt network gave me a packet of information from them and it's been helpful so far. Is their another group that can be recommended? Thanks.

"Hello," Julie. A pleasure to welcome you aboard the Wrong Planet. You may wish to check out WP's Parents’ Discussion Forum: http://www.wrongplanet.net/forum19.html

I would feel overwhelmed too. Oh wait, I did feel overwhelmed.
Somehow you will stretch enough as a person to handle it most of the time. Check out your local Autism Society chapter. It was there that I met a person who showed my by her life that I could have an autism plus child and still remain a gracious human being.

To WrongPlanet!! !