Dear Reader,
Many of the UNIT Chapters in my book, KNOW AUTISM, KNOW YOUR CHILD with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker, have an added APPENDIX with more perinate information for you. Therefore, the next few BLOGS will introduce you to them.
Many of the UNIT Chapters in my book, KNOW AUTISM, KNOW YOUR CHILD with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker, have an added APPENDIX with more perinate information for you. Therefore, the next few BLOGS will introduce you to them.
UNIT 1 – How Will I Know It's Autism?
Is it autism? What you can do while you are waiting for the world of doctor’s appointments, consultations, and program possibilities to open up to you…
< My Thoughts > "While You Wait... Investigate"
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. Create a Video of what you are seeing. Show your concerns about how your child acts throughout the day/night. 'Seeing is believing' for someone new to your child.
UNIT 1 – How Will I Know It's Autism? CHAPTER 1 – Checklists
APPENDIX A – Parent Concerns Informal Checklist (Similar to CDC online checklist).
< My Thoughts > "... Concerns..."
These are some of the concerning behaviors you may want to share with your child's pediatrician. These are thing that you are noticing, that for the child's developmental age seem different. Know that some children are slower to achieve certain developmental milestones, but if your child doesn't seem to move on to the next level, in a reasonable time frame, then that could become a concern.
Child’s Name _________________________
Date of Birth ________ Parent’s Name______________
My Child
Answer (Pick one) Yes (Y)______, Sometimes (S)______, or No (N)______
______Responds to name
______Says 10 (or more) words (15-month-old)
______Learns new words, weekly
______Repeats new words heard
______Repeats a new or familiar word over & over, constantly
______Says 50 (or more) words (24-month-old)
______Puts 2 words together, independently
______Gets my attention with words
______Rejects something by saying “No”
______Asks questions by changing voice to indicate s/he is asking a question
______Takes turns in a conversation (engages in a back-and-forth)
______Asks for help with words
______Says understandable 3-4 word sentences
______Is easily understood by other family members
______Is easily understood by familiar adults
______Is easily understood by unfamiliar adults
______Follows one-step directions
______Follows two-step directions
______Listens to story being read in short picture book
______Names the pictures in the book (interaction with reader)
______Answers “Yes” or “No” questions
______Asks “Yes” or “No” questions
______Asks “wh” questions (who, when, where, what, why, how)
______Uses pronouns correctly (I, me, we… instead of using person’s name)
______Knows some songs or nursery rhymes
______Participates in pretend play (plays mommy/daddy, teacher, doctor)
______Very active, always in motion (hyperactive)
______Acts without fear of consequences (impulsive)
______Points to objects s/he sees or wants
______Unusual reaction to the way things sound, smell, feel, taste or look
______Throws tantrums (goal oriented, wants something that’s been denied, needs audience to be watching, trying to get control of others)
______Has meltdowns (doesn’t know what’s wrong, it may be ‘sensory’ or other ‘overload’ or s/he may be overwhelmed by what is happening, emotions seem out of control)
______Lines up toys or other objects, obsessively, engages in self-stimulatory behavior
______Plays with the same toys the same way every time
______Needs to follow a routine or ritual (bedtime, eating, and/or getting dressed)
______Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles (or watches spinning things for a long period of time). Add something odd that you are noticing? _________________________
______Only eats certain foods
______Has difficulty feeding oneself
______Can use pincher fingers to pick-up food
______Uses utensils to eat food
______Seems clumsy or uncoordinated
______Can play on age-appropriate playground equipment
______Plays well with siblings & same-age children
Note: The above is 'Informal data' to share areas of concern with clinicians. Additional Checklists are on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) websites, according to ages. Video recording on a cell phone to show your child's clinician is helpful, too.
End of UNIT 1,CHAPTER 1 – Checklists, APPENDIX A – Parent Concerns Informal Checklist.
Thank you so much for sharing and commenting!
Regards,
Sara Luker
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