BLOG: #1 "What to do While You Wait, Investigate!" ~ Checklists & Red Flags with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
From GALLERY of BOOKS on Autism; Focused excerpts examples of "What to do While You Wait" concerning – Checklists & Red Flags
Know Autism – Know Your Child: With < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker; 2021
Just so you know what others have faced, and that you are not alone… here are a few focused excerpts from my Extended Book Reviews with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker.
Parents often must wait days, weeks, and even months for assessments or doctor appointments. During this stressful time, it's good to feel that you are actively helping your child. This can become an important time of clarifying what bothers you the most about your child's behavior, development, or other concerns.
Video record (using phone app) what you are seeing and how your child is acting throughout the day/night. 'Seeing is believing' for someone new to your child. Prioritize, try new things that are non-invasive and see what works and what doesn't. This will also help you find out what your child responds to. Some learn best by hearing, seeing, or doing.
Eventually, you will have to choose from available programs, therapies, and services that will be offered. Some are quite expensive, so understand your child well enough to figure out what will probably work and what absolutely won't. You can only know this by trying some things on your own. In this 'page' I’ll give you some ideas on where to start to discover who your child is 'behind' the autism.
What to do while you wait, investigate! ~ Consider how the following excerpts may define #1 Checklists & Red Flags for you. How can you become better prepared to approach these topics, and what have you already tackled? What would you like to clarify, or better understand about your world of autism?
***Please ~ READ more in-depth information with Peer-Reviewed Journal articles with References, in Website MENU #1 Checklists & Red Flags; plus, in the website DOWNLOAD.
Note: SEE DISCLAIMER BELOW Extended Book Review Previews
Here is a ‘peek’ into the website’s Extended Book Reviews. These will lead you to more information about your concerns. READ real stories from real people living in their world of autism. Find LINKs on the MENU listing GALLERY of BOOKS and/or find BOOKs by TITLE.
< My Thoughts > “Checklists & Red Flags”
Signs of autism are usually seen by the time the child is 2 years old. Checklists and Red Flag signs of ‘developmental delays’ can be found online. One universal source is the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). A small number of children develop normally, then between 18 and 24 months of age, they change. These children may lose the language skills that they have already acquired, and may become withdrawn or even aggressive. Others on the spectrum may show normal to high intelligence, yet begin to have difficulty showing that intelligence when communicating, or in applying what they know to everyday situations.
From GALLERY of BOOKS on Autism; Focused excerpts examples of "What to do While You Wait" concerning – Checklists & Red Flags
Know Autism – Know Your Child: With < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker; 2021
Just so you know what others have faced, and that you are not alone… here are a few focused excerpts from my Extended Book Reviews with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker.
Parents often must wait days, weeks, and even months for assessments or doctor appointments. During this stressful time, it's good to feel that you are actively helping your child. This can become an important time of clarifying what bothers you the most about your child's behavior, development, or other concerns.
Video record (using phone app) what you are seeing and how your child is acting throughout the day/night. 'Seeing is believing' for someone new to your child. Prioritize, try new things that are non-invasive and see what works and what doesn't. This will also help you find out what your child responds to. Some learn best by hearing, seeing, or doing.
Eventually, you will have to choose from available programs, therapies, and services that will be offered. Some are quite expensive, so understand your child well enough to figure out what will probably work and what absolutely won't. You can only know this by trying some things on your own. In this 'page' I’ll give you some ideas on where to start to discover who your child is 'behind' the autism.
What to do while you wait, investigate! ~ Consider how the following excerpts may define #1 Checklists & Red Flags for you. How can you become better prepared to approach these topics, and what have you already tackled? What would you like to clarify, or better understand about your world of autism?
***Please ~ READ more in-depth information with Peer-Reviewed Journal articles with References, in Website MENU #1 Checklists & Red Flags; plus, in the website DOWNLOAD.
Note: SEE DISCLAIMER BELOW Extended Book Review Previews
Here is a ‘peek’ into the website’s Extended Book Reviews. These will lead you to more information about your concerns. READ real stories from real people living in their world of autism. Find LINKs on the MENU listing GALLERY of BOOKS and/or find BOOKs by TITLE.
< My Thoughts > “Checklists & Red Flags”
Signs of autism are usually seen by the time the child is 2 years old. Checklists and Red Flag signs of ‘developmental delays’ can be found online. One universal source is the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). A small number of children develop normally, then between 18 and 24 months of age, they change. These children may lose the language skills that they have already acquired, and may become withdrawn or even aggressive. Others on the spectrum may show normal to high intelligence, yet begin to have difficulty showing that intelligence when communicating, or in applying what they know to everyday situations.
A Child’s Journey Out of Autism: One Family’s Story of Living in Hope & Finding a Cure by Leeann Whiffin, eBook 2009 Edition; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (16% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
16% Whiffen (2009) shares concerns about her son – Finally home, I hurry to my computer. I place my fingers on the keyboard and type “AUTISM”. My pinky finger hangs over the Enter key, frozen. My fear has definition. I am afraid of what I might find.
That evening, I go to bed unable to sleep, I go back downstairs. I press the Enter key, I force myself to look at the “Autism Signs & Symptoms” checklist –
· Inappropriate laughing and giggling. CHECK!
· No real fear of danger. CHECK!
· Apparent insensitivity to pain. CHECK!
My eyes filled with tears as I looked at this description of my son on the computer.
< My Thoughts > “…Checklists…”
But parents checking CHECKLISTS can be just a first step. The diagnosis has to come from the DSM-5 Checklist, i.e., ‘criteria’, completed by a qualified professional. Therefore, your pediatrician, or clinician must stay with you long enough to make a decision about a diagnosis.
Note: (16% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
16% Whiffen (2009) shares concerns about her son – Finally home, I hurry to my computer. I place my fingers on the keyboard and type “AUTISM”. My pinky finger hangs over the Enter key, frozen. My fear has definition. I am afraid of what I might find.
That evening, I go to bed unable to sleep, I go back downstairs. I press the Enter key, I force myself to look at the “Autism Signs & Symptoms” checklist –
· Inappropriate laughing and giggling. CHECK!
· No real fear of danger. CHECK!
· Apparent insensitivity to pain. CHECK!
My eyes filled with tears as I looked at this description of my son on the computer.
< My Thoughts > “…Checklists…”
But parents checking CHECKLISTS can be just a first step. The diagnosis has to come from the DSM-5 Checklist, i.e., ‘criteria’, completed by a qualified professional. Therefore, your pediatrician, or clinician must stay with you long enough to make a decision about a diagnosis.
A Spot on the Wall by Martha Squaresky, eBook 2014 Edition; an Excerpt from Extended Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (5% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
5% Squaresky (2014) states that her son Greg He had some quirky behaviors that we explained away easily. His repetitive play confused us, as much as it entertained us. After all, how many children stayed at a task for hours?
6% Age: two. When Greg’s speech regressed, we worried about his hearing. He still sang entire songs and recited the alphabet with Bert and Ernie yet he had no conversational ability whatsoever.
7% Greg did not tolerate certain smells causing him to shriek until dinner was over. Family mealtimes were often ruined.
Greg despised the smell of chicken, pasta, or fish in the kitchen. He gave new meaning to the need for sameness. Greg ate Boston Style pizza from a pizzeria… almost every day.
I left Jay and Adam to dine alone while I took Greg out for a car ride, just to stop the agony.
Note: (5% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
5% Squaresky (2014) states that her son Greg He had some quirky behaviors that we explained away easily. His repetitive play confused us, as much as it entertained us. After all, how many children stayed at a task for hours?
6% Age: two. When Greg’s speech regressed, we worried about his hearing. He still sang entire songs and recited the alphabet with Bert and Ernie yet he had no conversational ability whatsoever.
7% Greg did not tolerate certain smells causing him to shriek until dinner was over. Family mealtimes were often ruined.
Greg despised the smell of chicken, pasta, or fish in the kitchen. He gave new meaning to the need for sameness. Greg ate Boston Style pizza from a pizzeria… almost every day.
I left Jay and Adam to dine alone while I took Greg out for a car ride, just to stop the agony.
Seeing Ezra: A Mother’s Story of Autism, Unconditional Love, and the Meaning of Normal, by Kerry Cohen, eBook 2011 Edition; an Excerpt from Extended Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (2% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
2% The first time I hear the word ‘autism’ associated with Ezra, he is only a year old, and it comes from his young baby sitter. She is a nice girl, a little awkward, who seems to love Ezra from the start. As she’s about to leave I hear, “One thing I want to say,” she starts. I wait. I have no sense of the huge thing she’s about to say, no sense that life will forever be altered.
“I think Ezra’s on the autistic spectrum,” she states.
Here’s what happens to me in this moment: An electric bolt shoots through my body. I think, “Please God, no.” She lists a couple reasons. Because that one small exchange effectively ended my innocence as a mother.
Note: (2% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
2% The first time I hear the word ‘autism’ associated with Ezra, he is only a year old, and it comes from his young baby sitter. She is a nice girl, a little awkward, who seems to love Ezra from the start. As she’s about to leave I hear, “One thing I want to say,” she starts. I wait. I have no sense of the huge thing she’s about to say, no sense that life will forever be altered.
“I think Ezra’s on the autistic spectrum,” she states.
Here’s what happens to me in this moment: An electric bolt shoots through my body. I think, “Please God, no.” She lists a couple reasons. Because that one small exchange effectively ended my innocence as a mother.
Autism by Hand by Lorca Damon, eBook 2011 Edition; an Excerpt from Extended Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (1% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
1% Fortunately, Carrie was very young when she was diagnosed. It wasn’t until a different doctor voiced his concerns that I really began to wonder. She was barely thirteen months old when her pediatrician first mentioned that he was concerned about the fact that she wasn’t reaching her milestones. The fact that she wasn’t able to walk, talk, drink from a cup, or sit up without help should have worried me, too, but she was my smiling, pudgy little baby and I wasn’t very concerned.
I am, however, a teacher and a mother who has been there, so this book is simply the strategies that I learned from working with my autistic child.
2% I’m basically telling you like it is the way your best friend would if she wasn’t worried about hurting you and if she didn’t feel like she doesn’t have the right, just because she doesn’t have an autistic child.
He’s Not Autistic, But…How We Pulled Our Son from the Mouth of the Abyss by Tenna Merchent, eBooks 2007 Edition; an Excerpt from Extended Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (7% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
7% This book is an account of my own experiences in seeking treatment for my son’s physical ailments.
Traditional Western medicine has its value and place. I am simply sharing our experiences, what worked for us and what has not. I kept thinking when Clay was sick, “I need to be writing this down. But I was too tired and too stressed.
10% “He’s Not Autistic, But…”
12% He was the first M.D. to admit there was something wrong with Clay.
Note: (7% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
7% This book is an account of my own experiences in seeking treatment for my son’s physical ailments.
Traditional Western medicine has its value and place. I am simply sharing our experiences, what worked for us and what has not. I kept thinking when Clay was sick, “I need to be writing this down. But I was too tired and too stressed.
10% “He’s Not Autistic, But…”
- For no reason, he bangs his head on window ledges, asphalt, the floor, and with his hands.
- He frequently walks on his toes, and sometimes spins in circles.
- He’s extremely allergic to milk, corn, soy, eggs, oats, chocolate, feathers, and dust.
12% He was the first M.D. to admit there was something wrong with Clay.
All I Can Handle; I Am No Mother Teresa: A Life Raising Three Daughters with Autism, by Kim Stagliano & Jenny McCarthy, eBooks 2010 Edition; an Excerpt from Extended Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (9% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
9% We pulled into the parking lot, found a place to park near the supermarket. I picked any old spot. Again, this was pre-autism diagnosis. I got 3-year-old Mia out of her booster seat and tried to get 2-year-old Gianna out of hers. She’d have nothing to do with me. She started screaming a shriek of death, pain, and dismemberment – she had these toddler meltdowns regularly.
To keep Mia from wandering out into traffic I wrapped my leg around her, twisting my body into a bizarre ballet pose. Mia had no sense of danger (common in autism), but fortunately she had only two speeds of motion – turtle and snail. This was a blessing, at the moment.
But Gianna was not about to cooperate. I finally got her out of the car. She threw herself onto the pavement and continued to scream. She had almost no speech at the age of two and screaming was all the poor kid could do.
I struggled a bit longer with the girls then finally gave up and drove home without my food.
14% Mia’s photographs as a toddler show a beaming girl, happy to flirt with the camera. She made eye contact and also used imaginative play. But she never called out to me. She cried. She came to get me when she needed something. She never used her voice to attract my attention. A warning sign I missed.
Note: (9% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
9% We pulled into the parking lot, found a place to park near the supermarket. I picked any old spot. Again, this was pre-autism diagnosis. I got 3-year-old Mia out of her booster seat and tried to get 2-year-old Gianna out of hers. She’d have nothing to do with me. She started screaming a shriek of death, pain, and dismemberment – she had these toddler meltdowns regularly.
To keep Mia from wandering out into traffic I wrapped my leg around her, twisting my body into a bizarre ballet pose. Mia had no sense of danger (common in autism), but fortunately she had only two speeds of motion – turtle and snail. This was a blessing, at the moment.
But Gianna was not about to cooperate. I finally got her out of the car. She threw herself onto the pavement and continued to scream. She had almost no speech at the age of two and screaming was all the poor kid could do.
I struggled a bit longer with the girls then finally gave up and drove home without my food.
14% Mia’s photographs as a toddler show a beaming girl, happy to flirt with the camera. She made eye contact and also used imaginative play. But she never called out to me. She cried. She came to get me when she needed something. She never used her voice to attract my attention. A warning sign I missed.
Autism Triplet Twist: Survival Stories of Parents, Triplets and Autism by James E. Potvin, eBook 2013 Edition; an Excerpt from Extended Review, with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Note: (27% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
27% Andrea is the oldest triplet. She was very calm when she was young. She was the kind of kid that would be content to watch TV all day. She could sit and play with the same toy for hours. Andrea kept herself occupied most of the time. Something seemed amiss. Kids are usually more active and have short spans of attention.
83% Rachael is much more social. She spends time with her friends and school most of the time. She plays the viola and is in Color Guard. We support her by taking her to practices and attending her concerts. Rachael enjoys reading and her pets. She has a dog, a ferret, a chinchilla and a hamster.
19% Sarah is the youngest of our triplets. From her mini seizures early on, it was clear that Sarah had issues. We transported her to numerous physicians, trying to get a correct diagnosis.
All the triplets are individuals, so we find it important to have special activities to do with each child.
REFERENCES from other sources –
None
DISCLAIMER
The content of this material, digital or in any other form does not represent medical advice; nor does it constitute medical suggestions in any way. The material, including any downloadable parts, is for informational and/or educational purposes only. Your download and/or use of this material indicates your acceptance of this disclaimer.
As an autism mom, as an educator with a current State Teaching License (ending 2023), and a 2011 Master’s Degree in Special Education, this author shares her personal study, opinions, and experiences of over 30 years concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and related topics. The author’s mention of products, services, treatments, and interventions are not to be considered an endorsement, thereof. Nor does the author represent that any described products, services, treatments, and/or interventions expect to ‘cure’, or have any ‘long-term’ positive effect on a disorder or disease.
Furthermore, understand and agree that this material is not intended as a substitute for consultations with licensed healthcare professionals. Nothing in this material is expected to diagnose, treat, imply cure, or prevent any condition, disorder, or disease. Any errors or omissions in the available subject matter, Units, Chapters, References, Charts, Tables, Appendices, LINKS, and/or other downloadable or non-downloadable materials are unintentional. Revisions in the material may be subject to change without notice.
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Note: (27% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
27% Andrea is the oldest triplet. She was very calm when she was young. She was the kind of kid that would be content to watch TV all day. She could sit and play with the same toy for hours. Andrea kept herself occupied most of the time. Something seemed amiss. Kids are usually more active and have short spans of attention.
83% Rachael is much more social. She spends time with her friends and school most of the time. She plays the viola and is in Color Guard. We support her by taking her to practices and attending her concerts. Rachael enjoys reading and her pets. She has a dog, a ferret, a chinchilla and a hamster.
19% Sarah is the youngest of our triplets. From her mini seizures early on, it was clear that Sarah had issues. We transported her to numerous physicians, trying to get a correct diagnosis.
All the triplets are individuals, so we find it important to have special activities to do with each child.
REFERENCES from other sources –
None
DISCLAIMER
The content of this material, digital or in any other form does not represent medical advice; nor does it constitute medical suggestions in any way. The material, including any downloadable parts, is for informational and/or educational purposes only. Your download and/or use of this material indicates your acceptance of this disclaimer.
As an autism mom, as an educator with a current State Teaching License (ending 2023), and a 2011 Master’s Degree in Special Education, this author shares her personal study, opinions, and experiences of over 30 years concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and related topics. The author’s mention of products, services, treatments, and interventions are not to be considered an endorsement, thereof. Nor does the author represent that any described products, services, treatments, and/or interventions expect to ‘cure’, or have any ‘long-term’ positive effect on a disorder or disease.
Furthermore, understand and agree that this material is not intended as a substitute for consultations with licensed healthcare professionals. Nothing in this material is expected to diagnose, treat, imply cure, or prevent any condition, disorder, or disease. Any errors or omissions in the available subject matter, Units, Chapters, References, Charts, Tables, Appendices, LINKS, and/or other downloadable or non-downloadable materials are unintentional. Revisions in the material may be subject to change without notice.
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