Son was just diagnosed today & new to group...

[K1tten]

Hello ladies,

Today I took my 4 year old to his family doctor because I knew in my heart he was having ‘issues'. I knew it wasn't just he was behind or he was a late bloomer but it was something else and I was right. Told his doctor everything that was going on with him and he looked at me and said he has Asperger's syndrome. It wasn't a slap in the face because I had a feeling that's what his diagnosis would be.

There are two major hospitals in my area that deal with the testing but his doctor said Hershey medical had a 3 year waiting list and Geisinger hospital had a 2.5 year waiting list. He suggested his office would help me in finding a behavior therapist to come to the house or another option of taking my son to a special school to start getting him help while he's on a waiting list but wasn't sure how long that would take. 2-3 years is a long wait and since I'm knew to this all I feel I'm lost. The doctor said to read up online to see what I can find and get a better grasp of it all but Lordy it's a lot to take in I think I just get more overwhelmed.

So, my question is..where do I start with trying to get him some kind of help on my own? I'm looking for any advice or suggestions I can find. Much appreciated to any and all.

 EDIT...I found a few posts after posting this for help but I'll still take any advice I can get!

 

 

 

 

[twins0506]

Well I'm no expert or anything but I don't think he can diagnose him from just hearing what's going on with him. I'm not saying he doesn't have aspergers but your doctor cant say he does without doing the proper tests... I don't think...

IMHO I would find another doctor. A 3 year wait is absolutely absurd. I've heard of 3-4 month waits which is long but 3 years?? You definitely need a 2nd opinion just so he can direct you on where to go. I was sent to a public school, we didn't go to a hospital. But that's where our doctor sent us.

[twins0506]

Welcome to the group btw :)

[MomOfOneCoolKid]

Quoting twins0506:

Well I'm no expert or anything but I don't think he can diagnose him from just hearing what's going on with him. I'm not saying he doesn't have aspergers but your doctor cant say he does without doing the proper tests... I don't think...

IMHO I would find another doctor. A 3 year wait is absolutely absurd. I've heard of 3-4 month waits which is long but 3 years?? You definitely need a 2nd opinion just so he can direct you on where to go. I was sent to a public school, we didn't go to a hospital. But that's where our doctor sent us.

2 to 3 years is unacceptable.

Find a developmental pediatrician in your area -- check the whole state, you might have to drive.

If you are willing to drive to Maryland, email me I can recommend you a doctor who can recommend somebody. My developmental pedi takes patients under 4 but he can help for older patients.

Welcome to the group.

[marisab]

welcome to the group first of all.:-) First of all tho he is 4 your local birth to 3 intervention services while they  cant give him services caus ehes too old they can tell u who can in your area.most public services have early childhood and u can get him an iep and therapy thought them with the imnfo from the dr .but i would start with birth to 3.

[twins0506]

What town and state do you live in? I can do some research online for you.

[aidensmomma508]

welcome to the group. that wait list is too long, months is ok not years.  so I would try somewhere else. also you can call your towns special ed director and have him evaluated for therapies

[marisab]

depends where u live because i was in madison when johny was diagnose dand we had a year wait and thats a top autism clinic but 2-3 years dies seem extreeme!!!

Quoting twins0506:

Well I'm no expert or anything but I don't think he can diagnose him from just hearing what's going on with him. I'm not saying he doesn't have aspergers but your doctor cant say he does without doing the proper tests... I don't think...

IMHO I would find another doctor. A 3 year wait is absolutely absurd. I've heard of 3-4 month waits which is long but 3 years?? You definitely need a 2nd opinion just so he can direct you on where to go. I was sent to a public school, we didn't go to a hospital. But that's where our doctor sent us.

[Austinsmom4544]

Welcome to the group :)

[arkansasmama08]

It can be killer to get in some place like that. Took us 10 months but 2-3 years?? Wow. I know our occupational therapist told us we can get separate evaluations from private sources and piece them together with the final eval being a psychologist and they can diagnose. That's what we're doing since Children's was not a great experience for us. It may be faster for you than that wait, though you might need a referral from your dr. It doesn't sound like that would be hard for you to get though.
For info on autism/aspergers go to autismspeaks.org. They have great information!
We've been in this road for 2.5 years now and sometimes I feel just as lost as the first day. It's hard some days and changes constantly. My oldest has aspergers. He's 6. I definitely don't have all the answers but I'll help in any way i can :).
Good luck mama and welcome to an awesome group.

[Butterfly1209]

Hugs. If you saw a ped he can't diagnose. Evaluations are usually around 4 hours or so sometimes multiple visits and phoone calls with very long questionaires. Try local groups tgrough the school system or privatley owned groups will do testing.