Getting close to diagnosis?

So far Makaton is something I'm still trying but she's hit & miss with it, she either sees it as a game or just isn't interested.

DH is having a very hard time of it, there are times he still struggles understanding me with my Aspergers so now having to deal with our daughter being at the opposite end of the spectrum to myself he is struggling to understand that some of her traits will be akin to mine but that she will also have differences.

Yes I have found & joined several support groups both online & local to me, it's great being able to chat with other parents in a similar situation & share experience/tips.  It can be interesting again watching the children who are all so similar & yet so different.  AUTISM - Always unique, truly intelligent, sometimes mysterious

not drinking water what can it do ?

Hi Missl,

The main thing is to keep yourself hydrated but remember that drinking fruit juice/smoothies as opposed to squash can sometimes cause extra bowel movements/diaorrhea meaning you will need to drink even more fluids (you should be aiming for at least 8pints a day).

Squash, tea & coffee all contain water so still count as drinking water.

If you do become dehydrated it will be you that suffers before baby (baby will feed of your bodies reserves meaning you feel dizzy, sick, light headed & may even blackout/collapse).  My experience of this with my eldest daughter meant I was admitted to hospital for a weekend to be fed water through a saline drip until my hydration levels were normal again.  Typically your wee is a good indication, the darker your urine the more dehydrated you are.  If you actually feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Sore tummy help

Hi Vicki,

Typically tummys are sore for a reason such as constipation, trapped wind or a dislike/reaction to the food.

For constipation you can try massaging her tummy with clockwise circles (they must be clockwise not anti-clockwise as this will have the opposite effect) & gently moving her legs in a 'cycling' mode to relieve her symptoms & help her poo with less pain.

For trapped wind you can again try the circle massage to relieve it & perhaps a drop of infacol or colief with each feed.

Failing those then a trip to your Dr/HV to discuss feeds & possible allergies may be in order, some children will have intolerances & can be made better with specialist formulas/diets.

Solids..where to start?

Hi Amanda,

I started weaning both of my girls at 4mths old with pureed fruit, pureed meat, pureed vegetables, pureed potatoes & farleys rusks mashed with their formula/expressed breast milk.  At 6mths I started introducing dairy with yogurts & fromage frais.  By 7mths I started mashing food in place of puree & I offered finger foods such as carrot sticks, celery, breadsticks & solid rusks from 9mths.  The aim is to try & have them eating the same food as you when they turn 1.

Confused

It is hard to say for sure because of the time elapsed (most tests will show pregnant within 3mins).  The only sure way to know would be to try testing again.  You could try making an appt with your Dr & explaining that you think you may have had a positive preg test but are doubting you've used it right, they normally have some tests within the surgery & can test a wee sample whilst you're there or they could also test your blood for hormone levels.

How is everyone getting on?

Well potty training has been kicked out again, Samantha has now started confusing potty with a 'ride on' toy & Hannah just doesn't seem ready enough yet (she's aware she's having a wee/poo but isn't willing to 'sit on potty/toilet' just yet) so will try again later.

Samantha has confirmed diagnosis of Autism so I now have another string of appointments meeting all Educational Support team looking at her learning needs for her last year at nursery & what schooling options we have as we need to put forward our choices in 6mths time.  Just over a week until we see musculoskeletal & I expect even more strings of tests/appointments to confirm they are both hypermobile & if they are it will then be trips to physio/occupational therapy/gym/ballet to try & help manage it.  All great fun but fortunately I can walk to most of my appointments as I'm pretty much central to both hospitals & GP surgery so I can't complain too much on that front.

Hope all goes well with Oliver.  Best wishes.

Getting close to diagnosis?

Well, we've finally got our confirmed diagnosis of 'Autism', she is showing all the classic flags as concluded from just about everyone who has seen/interacted with her.  Now we move forward with the next steps in having educational support coming to visit both at home & nursery, getting her statemented ready for school & the more daunting task of looking into which school/the level of learning support she'll need.

My planned 'job hunt' has now gone out the window as more & more appointments, visits & 'care plans' are being arranged.  Nursery are struggling on some days because she still doesn't really know how to communicate her wants & needs & can seem to be quite spiteful to the other children when trying to get them to play because there are no words just pulling, pushing & hand gestures to try & convey her wishes.  Potty training has gone out the window again because of the lack of communication & feeling so overwhelmed at times.

The nursery are now able to apply for additional government funds & 'care staff' to assist with Samantha in her final year before school.  I am going to be meeting with Educational Support regularly over the next 6mths to help try & determine what learning needs she has ready to select our choice of schools for enrollment.  I've been told to apply for DLA & if successful with that to also look at my Tax Credits as I may be entitled to more.  I've been told to speak to the paediatrics team about 'free nappies' until she's potty trained as it could be months/years before she is.

If I'm overwhelmed trying to process all this, DH is struggling with his half acceptance that she's autistic but still half expecting that this time next year she'll be completely different & ready to start school like every other child her age (if we've had this little progress in 3.5 yrs with her why would this coming year be any different regarding speech & toilet training?)  It doesn't help with my well-meaning mother & DH not seeing eye-to-eye & both of them quick to jump at the other one with shouts of 'You're clueless' or 'You're in denial'.

So onward & upward, more appointments due in the next few weeks, just wishing I had more answers now (how to communicate when she's shown little interest/acknowledgement of sign language but 'flash cards' she just sits & rips apart?) Hope everyone else is doing ok.  Best wishes.

Talkback: The MMR vaccine – your questions answered

Hi Fiona,

The MMR jab is typically offered to your child at 12-13mths of age & they should then receive a booster pre-school so between 3-5yrs of age.

Some children haven't received this booster or have not been given any jab at all but with Measles on the increase they are now offering the MMR to every child of school age 5-16yrs who may not have had a booster in order to top up their immunity.  It is however just that, an offer, you don't have to have it done if you choose not to.

Pee Pot and a ? Pot?

Hi Mrs-L, sorry for G/C but you may find that the tall thin pot is for your booking in appt & they may send it away for testing whilst the shorter fatter pot is for all your future appointments (you'll need a sample of wee every time you see the midwife/Dr) which they simply dip a stick into, rinse the pot & return to you.  For your bloods you get given a bag with a sheet detailing what they're testing & poo/stool samples they will specifically ask for at the time they need it with a timescale to return it within (though you rarely get asked for this).

Baby's heart beat = boy or girl??????

I have accurately predicted 100% of family & friend's babys gender based upon this method.  A girls heartrate is generally faster & likened to a galloping horse typically ranging 140 + at most appointments from 25wks into term.  A boys heartrate will tend to be slower & likened to a chugging train typically ranging 125-140 at most appointments from 25wks.

Terrible Twos

Getting close to diagnosis?

Busy Week Ahead

Lupus

Delayed Speech

One year on

Random Tears

Things sent to try us...

Our first holiday booked ;)

BOOTS 3for" Promo

Downside to Weaning

What is the world coming too?!!!

3mths - No longer a Newborn

The unwelcome Birthday Present

Tax Rebates