Starting At The Beginning

 

If you're reading this, most likely you're a parent, and you have a suspicion that something isn't quite right.  Your little one isn't reaching milestones on time, they aren't behaving as they once did, something just isn't right.

Trust your instinct.

You may have even commented to your child's doctor that something is "off" and been blown off as an overconcerned parent, a first time parent, or something of that sort.  Sadly it happens a lot.  

Granted little ones are all different, and each child develops differently, but us parents, we "know" when something isn't right.  God somehow tell us with a nudge, a whisper, something.  

For me and my son, I knew from before he was born he'd be different.  He was born at 28 weeks due to severe pre-eclampsia, and weighed 1 pound 5 ounces.  At first, I was told to abort as he was not supposed to make it through delivery.  He was too sick to make it through a labor/delivery, and wasn't given great chances of making it through c-section.  Then I was told he wouldn't make it through the night.  Then told he wouldn't walk/talk/etc.  I knew he was going to be behind in milestones, that he wouldn't be on the same schedule as other babies.  

During his last weeks in utero and the 89 days in the NICU, Kevin had lots of issues with keeping sufficient oxygen.  This continued into his early weeks at home, as he had respiratory issues that ran well into his 3rd year.  This, along with other health issues he had, affected his development overall.  Very early on, he had a therapist come in and help him with mobility, teaching him (and me) how to get him to strengthen his arms and legs, roll over, crawl, and so on.  He didn't do these until he was nearly a year old.  

My "moment" came when Kevin was nearing 2 years old.  He had his vaccinations that were appropriate for the time.  Twice.  Long story short the first round of the 18 months shots weren't recorded and I couldn't prove it, so the University of MO pediatricians determined I wasn't telling the truth so gave him a second round.  Not long afterward, he started screaming for 20+ hours a day.  Every single day.  I was a single mom at the time, and so so so tired for lack of sleep and working long hours and the screaming.  It was such a hard time to live through.  Kevin started headbanging a lot, and put his head through a plate glass window that overlooked I-70 west of Columbia, MO.  He had not quite made it to two years old by then.  So, a trip to a different pediatrician, and she listened to my concerns.  She herself had a son with similar issues, and sent referrals on to a neuropsychologist.  It was there at the neuropsych that Kevin was diagnosed with autism.  

That diagnosis didn't affect him, he didn't know.  But for me, it was a time of mourning.  I had dreams for him and those were pushed away.  His dad and dad's family did not accept the diagnosis.  I can understand, it was a hard hit for us.  

The point is, there was something wrong.  There was no denying something was wrong.  I'd been told by previous pediatricians that I was just an overconcerned mom since Kevin was my first child.  But persistence paid off, with both his physical issues that nagged him from birth, and then with getting help and finding out autism was there.  

Don't be afraid to speak up, doctors are not God.  They are human.  They make mistakes.  There are good ones, great ones, and many just don't have time to research every single issue a child can have.  

If you have suspicion that something isn't right with your child, no matter what it is, don't be afraid to speak up.  You are your child's best advocate.  Speaking up, asking questions, that's the first step in helping your child.  You can do it!  Don't be afraid!!

Start at the beginning, seeking help, a diagnosis, a name to put with whatever is going on with your child.  It might mean a diagnosis you didn't want to hear, a whole new world of treatments, therapies, diets, and so on.  But, you can do it.