how to get my son diagnosed as early as possible?

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Hi,

I came to live in U.S. 2 years ago so I actually don't have much experience on seeing doctor here... So I need help for suggestions...

My son is currently 28months old. We did an evaluation at EI when he was 19months. That time we were told that he has language delay so we got the free speech therapy from Feb, 2014. The therapist will visit home every 3 weeks to teach us skills.

And we also made an appointment with PNCC (Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children, Oregon). I was told the earliest appointment I can have is later December (10 months later from Feb, 2014!! !! !!).

So from Feb, we have speech therapy and my son's language actually developed fast. But now I worry even more, he is always talking to himself. And also, it's very hard to get his attention to teach him and talk to him. He almost doesn't have any expressive language. In Gymboree, he is always the special one. He is not interested in people and just play everything without any emotion in the room.

After reading some books, I am quite sure he has ASD. There are tens of symptoms indicate that he has problem. However, the early intervention people said he is much better than the kids with ASD that she is teaching. So she said my son could be OK, they will keep monitoring.

Is there anyway in U.S. that can get my son diagnosed as early as possible? I don't mind to pay addition fee or go to other city/state. I just want him to be diagnosed and start the intensive intervention(like ABA) ASAP.

Appreciate for any suggestion!

Well i know my diagnosis started with my pediatritian referring me to specialists. I was fully diagnosed by about 2.5 years old.

Welcome to WP WilliamOR.

Like Ezra said, I would start with the pediatrician. You said you are new here. Do you have one here yet? That doctor will be able to refer you to a specialist who can help you with a full diagnosis for your child. He is still very young though so do not stress too much, you have a bit of time. I know that my insurance will pay for a full diagnosis until the age of 6. I am not saying that you should not to try to get a diagnosis as soon as possible, just don't stress or worry too much in the process. The stress will cause anxiety and that can be bad. But the pediatrician is most likely the best place to start. There is also an organization called the ARC. See if you have a chapter in your area. Here is the link to The Arc of Oregon. I sent you the contact info page for them.

http://www.arcoregon.org/index.php/contact-the-arc

They will be very helpful in giving you advice on how to help your child. I don't know if they do the diagnosis themselves, they might, I am not sure, but they will certainly be able to give you a lot of advice on how to get it if they don't do it.

Good luck, let us know how you do.

If your son does look close to normal and you look too intent on his being diagnosed, people will see you as the problem. I know that's harsh, but it's the reality. And that will not help your child.

Did you mean the speech therapist comes three times a week (like every other day) or every three weeks (about once a month)? Every three weeks seems very minimal, and I understand that would seem inadequate.

Where I live I think they'd do speech therapy several times a week, not ABA, when the child has a language delay that seems to warrant intervention. And OT if there is a lot if fussiness. However, a lot of talking to himself can be normal for a very young child, as is a short attention span. I agree with Ezra, start with the pediatrician. Also, observe him with other people, see if he is the same everywhere. Maybe you can get some clues what interests him so you can make engaging more appealing.

What Waterfalls says is very good. One thing in the US that you have to be careful of is something I just found out recently from a place that does diagnoses. They told me that a diagnosis for Asperger's is actually very difficult to get sometimes because they have many parents who try to push them into giving their children this diagnosis in order to get the disability check. I know that you are genuinely concerned about your baby and that you are not trying to do this at all. But because so many people do, I was told that when a child is very high functioning and does not show obvious signs of major concern, they can sometimes look at the parents as trying to just get a diagnosis for the money that they can get from being disabled. So since your child is so young, I would take it slowly and get lots of advice from your doctor and from people like the ARC staff. And some of the things your child is doing are not uncommon for little kids. But you know your child best and if you have a concern you should look into it. But don't rush it.

How does he do with other relatives or child care workers he may be around?

Thanks for all of the replies.

I just feel so sorry to my baby last night that I stupidly wait 10 months for the diagnose appointment. I should look for help earlier.

I'm better now. There are lots of things need to be followed up step by step.