It's official...
 

as of Monday Cyan my seven year old has been officially diagnosed.

Autism
ADHD
prominent emerging features of dysphonetic dyslexia

She is found to be about 2 years behind her age level and 3 years behind in phonics. ( she registered at 4 yrs old in pseudo word decoding (measures use of phonetic knowledge to sound out nonsense words)
She is one point below average on her iq (normal was 90-100 she is 89)

And has no working knowledge of phonics.

Where we go from here.. I'm unsure. But at least I have my second opinion, first dr said aspergers Syndrome.. and was wrong.

I start her on a patch to control the melt downs she has and to see if we can get her attention to improve before school time. though she can remain in 1st grade this year (she was held back in K) she will most likely need special education as she gets older and classes get more centered around phonics.

I am sorry to hear this, but IM glad you got her diagnosed and now you can really help her to get ahead by understanding what is going on in that little head of hers. Good Luck and I hope it all works out by the new school year. :)

A friend's child has been diagnosed with Austism. She has gotten loads of help and information regarding local programs available for her child through this group.

Autism Speaks, Home Page

Thank you both....

and thank you for the link.. I've been collecting all the information I can about this and trying to get as educated on the matter as possible. I was really expecting the Autism but the adhd and the dyslexia kinda took me by shock.

I worked for years in special ed. It is the law that your child be serviced. My son is dyslexic and it took a big fight for me to get services for him but this was years ago. You can start now before school even starts so that she can start the year with the right program.

My close friends daughter is Autistic with adhd. She is now 36 with a wonderful job working with special care children and she loves it. She is a happy, healthy, married mother of 2 wonderful kids (Some of my adopted grandkids). She overcame everything and is a super sweet person.

Now that you know exactly what you are facing.. you will be able to handle it. Getting her into the right programs is essential.. And it sounds like you are on top of it. Good for you. Praying for both you and your wonderful daughter. Bobbi

**hugs**
 

I just wanted you to know that I am sorry to read this.

Tammy

Grandmatoall.. THANK YOU reading that hs perked up my day... the smallest dreams I had for her seemed so far away... thank you so much for that post..... I am okay with this.. I have always known she as unique so this is okay.. but thank you *hugs*

Sounds like you are a great and strong mother. I am sure your daughter will lead a full and sucessful life with your guidence.

Hugs,
Angie

sorry to hear this.. :( but it is definitely a good thing to be diagnosed and know what you are dealing with.. now you can take steps in helping your daughter!! :thumbup: and like you said you have always known her to be unique.. now you just have a clearer understanding as to what will work for her! ;) hugs to you!! and i will keep you guys in my prayers!! :hug:

You and your daughter are in my thoughts. My brother has Aspergers, which is on the Autism spectrum, and my mom found the website Autism Society of America: helpful. There is also a book (geared mostly towards Aspergers) called A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrom and High-Functioning Autism by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, and James McPartland that has a section on navigating through the special-ed law, so if you are concerned about your district not providing services that might be a good place to read - even if you just stop by a library or barnes and noble to see if any of the info would help! In my state, the school district pays or provides services year-round for any child who has an IEP - my brother is going to a "chat club" this summer, which is really a social skills class. She will do great - it is amazing how well kids do when they get the right diagnosis!

thank you for the info.. I've been on the site for a few days now and it has wonderful info... the Book
A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrom and High-Functioning Autism
was on the list of things the Psychologist told me to get and read for her. I think I've covered with the school. Cyan repeated kindergarten and had the same teacher both years,one that loves her as though she were her own. She was present at the evaluation for Cyan where we learned the Diag. She has said she will take care of the arrangements at the school and make sure that Cyan gets what she needs. She and I worked together both years to get Cyan where she could enter first grade. She will be wonderful,and we will do whatever it takes to help her through. Same dreams for her, same goals just a different path to get to them is all.

Thank you to all that have commented with such support. It took a few days to settle in that this is what was going on. Now we go forward and start the path to get her there.

I graduated from LAW SCHOOL with a classmate that was autistic. He was developmentally delayed and did not speak a word for the first four years of his life. I do not know how he was treated or for how long, but I know that in elementary school he was held back twice and placed in special education, but by the age of 31 he was recieving a standing ovation collecting his diploma from a top 25 law school. Your daughter will be fine, people overcome autism, it is a difficult set back but it definitly does not have to be devestating.

Just want to encourage you to always remember that you have many rights by law. I am so glad that you appear to have an understanding teacher at this point. May not always be true. A good friend of mine has spent much of her life fighting for her daughter's rights. Her daughter is now 32 and she still has to fight for her rights in the assisted living arrangement she is in. The law is on your side. Sounds like you are educating yourself. That is a great way to be!!! Joanne

I just want to say that it is wonderful that you got her diagnosed and now you can help her in the best possible way! I'm so glad that people have shared their wonderful stories with you! Keeping a hopeful, positive outlook is going to be the best thing for your daughter.
~There are no limits in life, only the limits we impose on ourselves~

It will be a long hard road but one that can be rewarding.
I have a girlfriend with an autistic granddaughter. Her daughter
fought tooth and nail to keep her in public school in the main stream with
a one on one aid. She is now going into high school this fall and doing
well. The school will fight but you have your rights.
My daughter worked for years as an aid to autistic children and loved
her work. There are many level's of autisium and I hope your child
does well in her schooling.

Hugs,

thank you again, the posts are just overwhelming. I will do whatever it takes to keep her out of special ed.. she is way too smart to be put in a class that will not challenge her. She does things differently then most of us,but she still gets the same result. I'm not giving up on her in the least, still keeping our goals whatever way it takes us to get there... thank you so much for all your posts. I can't tell you what it means to have support in this. My family, well let me tell you this when telling my grandma about this she said "well you will save on college money where she is concerned" and that was her reply.. yes I know.. I just ignore her for the most part. When I told her i was preg with my daughter she asked if I wanted help with the money to "take care of it". So much love there.

Education Law states that your child has the right to be in the least restrictive classroom - if they try to put her in special ed classes and you disagree - fight it - supreme court cases have sided with the parents here, and you should fight to keep her in the placement you feel is best even if that means your district has to pay for a one-on-one to provide extra support for your daughter.

We are all here to support you. My youngest daughter was in special ed but it took years of testing and fighting with the school district to get her the help she needed. You are right in trying to keep her in a regular classroom, if that works best for her. She has certain rights under Free Appropriate Public Education under Section 504if she needs them. Most important is that you are her best advocate.

Thank you for your post here for Cyan's mom and her precious daughter Cyan. For Jack and Myself, prayers are the number one key in our daily lives in confronting head on whatever we have to endure. God always sees us through it.

We also will be keeping Cyan in our prayers, God performs miracles daily, by the minute. Like Bobbi said now that you know you will be on top of things and now that we know we too can join together in praying for Cyan's needs and also her family.

Hugs, Patti and Jack

My sister is a paraprofessional in the town school system. She is in charge of two autistic boys. It is a requirement in the town that they get special attention in the regular classroom in order to keep them focused and they move up in grade levels to stay with children their own age. Check and see what your school system has to offer.

Eveyone responding seem to have really good informative words for you. I just want to say that I am sorry that your little girl has to be challenged in this way. I wish you much luck and am sending hugs your way.

Hi there,
I need to let you know I will support you in any way that I can. My son has High functioing Autism as well. He was DX at the age of 4. He is now nearly 15. I am a single parent too. I know what your going through, but remember that the label's professionals use are not what makes your child.
My son has had special ed. services ever since his DX. He also use to take ADHD meds. He was extremely out of control when younger. But, they do tend to outgrow the hyperactivity. My son does not need those meds anymore.
You do have plenty of say so in regards to your childs education. There should be a IEP for her. Do not sign it unless you agree upon the services. The school is responsible for providing an education for your child in the least restrictive environment. This could mean that your child could have a full time assistant in her regular class, or if she needed to be placed in a special day class.
Each State is different. My son is currently in a special day class in high school. He is more on a 6-7yr old level . He is far behind his peers. but, is verbal.
The thing that you need to watch out for is that her peers are not bulling her. Sometimes, special needs kids are targets of meaness .
Now that your child has a diagnosis she can get the services . Look into you local Regional Center too. They provide services outside of school. They will Also be a support to your daughter's education. This is very important to have because they will come to your house and work with your child one on one.
PLease feel free to pm me for anything! :aimeeyork Things will be ok. I know how difficult it is at first to have your child labeled and diagnosed.

Thank you, so much. I've been writing down all info given on this matter. I have her IEP they gave her that in Pre-K but will redo it now with DX. Thank you for all your words and all the help. I can't tell you how much it means. I will be placing her on meds tomorrow. They want to try a low dose of daytrana patch to see if we can get the moods under control.

I will be spending most of the next two weeks getting things in order before she returns to class. Thank you so much..

thank you to ALL Of you that have posted such wonderful things and so much help!

Hugs to you all and my love as well

I'm glad you got a diagnosis :)

My son is on the Asperger's spectrum and I'm learning all about that and he starts mainstream Kindergarten this August. I'm a nervous wreck

I'm sorry to hear that.

There is at least three of us on YT having to deal with a child on the autistic spectrum. Statistics show that 1 in 100 children have a DX of autistic spectrum disorder ! :eek:

Have you ever heard of the Wilson Reading program?
(Wilson reading system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) It's a really systematic approach to teach reading. Phonics is a part of this program. It might be beneficial to see if someone in her school is certified in Wilson. It's also my understanding that you may be able to find Wilson tutors in your area who can help your daughter with this. Perhaps thay will be able to provide you with additional information. The special ed teacher I work with is certified and uses this program with her students and has gotten positive results. I'm actually going to begin the training next week so that I can become certified as well.

No I have not but have it on my list of things to do! thank you so much!

I can completely understand where you are! :love-hug1 I have a DD (14) who has ADD & Aspergers. It took us many years to finally get a dignoises- she was 13. As soon as we started ADD medication we saw a dramatic difference. Her once falling grades were now A&B's. The asperger is harder...but we take it one day at a time.

I also have a DD 8 who has dyslexia. She was dignoise with a learning disablitly in 1 grade and qualified for 'resource' for speech and reading. In second grade we found out that she has dyslexia. She is almost a whole grade level behind in reading.

The best thing we ever did: was hire a private tutor to work with both girls twice a week. Both girls have really improved with the tutors help. Not only did she help the girls improve their skills... she also help us navigate the school system.

If you need any help, just let me know?