Our second son is born, and Our Story continues....
Our second son was born on July 3, 2003 and he was healthy! Now that I had time off work for maternity leave, I could really start researching our concerns with Dominic, then 18 months old. He still would not/could not eat solid foods, would vomit after every meal and bottle, was not responding to our voices or his name (even though I was sure he knew his name), and had developed odd little "quirks". Well, we affectionately referred to them as quirks. It was more like baby-obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Here, I've listed some of Dominic's quirks at 18 months old:
- Walking and running on tiptoes
- Flapping hands
- Fascination with tags on stuffed animals, rather than the toy itself (almost obsessive)
- Must be holding something in each hand, or gets very upset (almost obsessive)
- Stares off into space often, appears to be in his own world
- Will not/Cannot eat any foods with lumps, chunks or textures. All food must be pureed.
- When going outside, doesn't seem to like the sun or wind in his face.
- "Ignores" us. Doesn't respond to his name 80% of the time. Almost as if he doesn't hear us.
- Will not/Cannot eat any foods with lumps, chunks or textures. All food must be pureed.
- Doesn't look into our eyes when we talk to him. Looks "beyond" us. Does he hear/see okay?
- Drools constantly and constantly has something in his mouth--fingers, shirt, toys--even when he's not teething.
- Not talking yet, at 18 months.
First, we're behind schedule
We had a WONDERFUL pediatrician in Elburn, Illinois (with
offices in Geneva) and we were lucky to find him. I cannot underestimate the importance of
a good pediatrician!
However, as good and diligent as our pediatrician was, he was not an expert on Autism. This just illustrates the point that although we look to medical professionals for medical advice, we are still our children's first and best advocates. No one will have your child's interest as a higher priority than you do as a parent. Realize that even the kindest-hearted pediatrician may not have the most current information available when it comes to Autism.
Google was my friend...
My
Now I put on my detective hat...
My
The first indication that something was not quite right was when my son was 9 months old and still wasn't talking. After all, I had been told that I began talking at 10 months! Certainly, "Karen 2.0" would be an improved version! What gives? Of course, our pediatrician chuckled and said not to worry. Other than having a little body (in the 25th percentile) and a Charlie Brown head (in the 90th percentile), everything was perfect! Our pediatrician told as that normally, children will begin talking around 12 months. Normally!? Hmmmph. I resented that my child should be called "normal". Certainly, he would be extraordinary! (Boy, was I ever right about that one.)
At this point, I had to focus on the delivery of my second son, but in the back of my mind I couldn't help but worry about Dominic.
continue...