Im a mom of a 5 1/2 yr old and twin girls who just turned 2 in January. Their names are Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Emily. They both are being tested for autism.

At their 18 mth check up the doctor recommended they be evaluated for early intervention services. They both currently recieve special education and speech. Lizzy gets physical therapy also. Lizzy started to display different characteristics first. I mentioned it to her therapist and they agreed. She got a referal for a developmental specialist and saw her. In the first session she did say she did have the characteristics but wanted to see if she improved in all areas. They recommended her be tested with the ADOS. She has that test a few weeks ago and she scored in the bracket for autism but on the low end. Since then she has had many other things that have come up. She started to hit her legs for no reason, and she is biting her one finger. She has major grinding teeth issues too now. There are times she dont go to bed till late and is up really early. She cant seem to settle down at night. She is shaking alot more too and we witnessed it for the first time when she was doing the ADOS. The speech therapist noticed it too the other day. We are going back in May to met with the doctor again and he will make a diagnosis.

Emily on the other hand was recommended to be tested by her speech tharapist. She uses alot of jargon, dont do imaginary play, she is very literal. She has just started hitting herself too. She goes in a next Monday to see the developmental specialist to get things started. When we had Liz in for the ADOS the doctor let Emily come in and observed her. She also scorred in the autism bracket.

The developmental ped is leaning toward PDD-NOS right now for both of them.

We had their 6 mth IFSp meeting the other day and will be continue to get the services they need. They are recommending OT eval for Emily. Liz had an evaluation last week for it and will start getting OT in a few weeks.

I know its going to be a long haul for them and me. I love my girls with all my heart and I want whats best for them. At times I wonder if I did anything to them when I was pregnant. Im new to this. I am looking for information on autism and looking for some sort of support.

Im going to be visiting here alot cause I know Im not going through this alone.

Hi and welcome. My name is Christina. I have two boys. Jay is 3.5 years old and was dx a year ago with moderate autism and I have a 2 year old Jonathan.

Welcome! I'm Danelle, mommy to Freddy who's 4 and just recently dx'd with an ASD. I also have Sammy who will be 7 months very soon.

I sometimes have wondered too if it was something I did while prego with Freddy or if his Autism could be caused by his fetal distress/cesarean birth. But with my DH most likely having undx'd Asperger's, we're pretty positive it's genetic. I just have to remind myself of that.

Feel free to ask any questions that you have and I wish you luck through the whole process of dx'ing and getting all the services you need for both girls.

Welcome to the board. My name is Angie i am 26 mother of 4. Tessa, Kora, Veroniqua and JR. My youngest two are both autistic. My Daughter Veroniqua was dx with PDD/NOS in feb 2005. She has come a long long way since then. She is in Kindergarden doing 1st and 2nd grade work because she has finished kind. in 1/2 of a yr. Our Son Brad Jr is going to be 3 on march 15. He was dx with classic Autism in July 2008. This board and the other I am a memeber of have helpped me out when I felt like I couldnt take it anymore. ASD is a stressful situation for any parent. We are the Hero's in their lives and the ones who get them through. I now its tuff but keep your head up. You have a great support group here! Welcome to the board!

Hi, Im Adriann and I have 2 kids, Gavin who is 9 and Sasha who is 2 (this month). I have always thought Gavin had Asperger's and it looks like we are close to getting a diagnosis. I just started coming to the ASD forum but these ladies are amazingly supportive!

I know as being a mother its hard not to blame ourselves but remember you did nothing wrong.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for making me realize this 3girlsand1boy "We are the Hero's in their lives and the ones who get them through."
I have to keep telling myself this!

Hello Sarah! I'm Crissy, my middle child, Angus, is 5 years old and has autism. He was Dx'ed at 2½ - he had no speech then and stimmed a lot - now he is speaking quite clearly, and some of his stims have been replaced with more socially appropriate behaviour - thank you EI!
I too worried that it was something I did while pregnant - my pregnancy with him was stressful, my husband was deployed and my older 2 were 1 and 2 and I had debilitating sciatica and was prescribed oxycodone in my last trimester - I have always wondered about that...

Welcome to the board!

Hi, I have twins that just turned 2 in January also. Nathan was diagnosed today with PDD-NOS. His twin sister does not appear to be on the spectrum but she has a speech delay (no words other than mama and dada). I am finding everyday to be a challenge right now with my twins.

I am wondering the similar things about Nathan. My twins were conceived via IVF and they were actually frozen for one month. Nathan had issues in utero and there are so many little physical flaws that I can't help but wonder if that has anything to do with it.