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New here.. son "developmentally delayed"
Hi. My son, Aiden is 6 and only been diagnosed w/ "developmentally delayed". He's been in speech since he was 2, started OT/PT when he was 4 and started behavioral group at 5.5 years. We've had him evaluated at Vanderbilt (we live in Nashville) they said he isn't on the spectrum, so not autistic. The school physcologist evaluated him and got nothing, but developmentally delayed. So a little about Aiden--speech very behind, mabye like a 3.5 year old. A touch of hypotonia (says the OT evaluation) and has very bad social skills. Any guesses? Any of your kids like this? He is getting ready to start Kindergarten for the second time in a couple weeks. Just wondering if he will snap out of it or always be a curious case?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Misty McLaughlin on -
Hi. Just wondering if they evaluated him for just autism? My son, who is now 11, was diagnosed for the longest time as developmentally delayed and never fell on the spectrum. He just got the Aspergers diagnosis last year. From what I understand, most kids don't get the asperger diagnosis until they are around 9 or so. Asoergers is on the high functioning side of the spectrum. The key problem area for Aspergers is the social skills. It maybe that, it might not be. Feel free to contact me, if you'd like. - Misty
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Permalink Reply by Reagan King on
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He was tested for autism and they ruled it out. So maybe when he's older they will come back with something. I dont' know. We have a really hard time with "pottying". Does your son or did your son have trouble w/accidents when he was this age?
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Permalink Reply by Karen on -
Reagan-
I belong to an online community that deals with kids with language delays. I really think you should take a second to check this group out. You have to join (free) to post to the group but if you write about your son I guarantee you will get a huge response from parents that have almost identical issues (especiallythe potty training!)
its at naturallatetalkers.com -
Karen
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Permalink Reply by Diana Swaney on
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Reagan,
In my experience in working with families in Early Childhood & Mental Health programs the diagnostic label "Developmentally Delayed" means that there are developmental problems that are either broad, vague, or not yet specifically known. Many spectrum disorders, including ASDs, are difficult to diagnose. If the diagnosis is not clear, we are hesitant to give a 'big' label/diagnosis to a young child out of concern that the child will be put into a 'box' and never get re-assessed; since kids are still forming physically (including their brain), emotionally, and cognitively, we want to give them every chance to develop while we offer support and hold our breath hoping we never have to say 'the future you imagined for your family and your child is dead & gone.'
My suggestion would be to contact:
* your county health department and request information about Early Intervention programs
* your school district and request assessment for Learning Disabilities & Special Education Services
* your county board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disability and find out what assessments and services they can offer
* talk to your OT/PT providers about Sensory Integration Disorder
* if you drank at all during your pregnancy talk to someone in any of the agencies you recieve services from about an assessment for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - we frequently don't know we're pregnant for 6 weeks or more, and most people don't realize that even small amounts of alcohol can be damaging
* talk to your pediatrician or familiy doctor about an assessment by a Pediatric Neurologist
* if a Speech/Language assessment hasn't been done, ask the school district to provide one
Continue to advocate for your son, research everything (using web-sites from well-respected universities and hospitals, and national organizations such as the Autism Society, etc), and don't let anyone tell you you're wrong about your child. You are the expert about your son! When you get more definitive diagnostic information participate in a parent/family support group!
Good luck,
Diana
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on -
My daughter Haley has basically the same diagnosis. She is now 13. She was eventually diagnosed Mentally Retarded, but I take issue with that because she is extremely smart. She still speaks very little. She basically speaks in nouns, to get more out of her I really have to prompt her. Her doctor is reluctant to put her on the spectrum as well, although I see some traits that would lend me to believe that she is. When I first heard the words developmentally delayed I assumed that meant she would "catch up" or as you say "snap out of it" I have come to learn that this is the way she is and we just do our best for her everyday. I assume you have an IEP for your son through the school, keep up with that and be there for him. Good Luck.
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Permalink Reply by Doreen Wall on
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New here... but Aiden sounds like my Nicholas. He's 7 now... starts Ist grade tomorrow, did two years in K. OT 2 times a week, PT 2 times a week, Speech 5 times a week. Has had services since infancy. Toileting was a nightmare (still not night trained). BIG problem with bowel elimination! Nicholas has temper tantrums frequently, esp. when told "no". We have run the gamut of medical professionals and now have a dx. ARND (Alcohol Related Neurological Disorder), ADHD, anxiety disorder NOS, dyspraxia, optic nerve hypoplasia ... and I think that's it. Everything is related to the ARND and it took a LOT of advocating and questioning before the dx got specific. A set of ed profess. were suggesting Autism spectrum but ruled that out. We have his medical care centered by a developmental pediatrician who puts all the pieces together with and for us. It's difficult to sort through his issues since he was abused and neglected as an infant before his adoption.
Nicholas now uses a communication device. His receptive speech is mildly delayed, his expressive speech is significantly delayed.
What does "very bad social skills" mean? aggressive? withdrawn?
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