Hi, I'm Dea, 27 year old Aussie Mum to Master 4, Harry and
Miss 3, Allani. I thought about referring to them with cute names (peanut,
muffet etc.) ...but my purpose for this blog it to track and share their
progress. I intend to include videos...no doubt their real names will emerge,
so there they are.
I don't intend to share this blog with the world, just those
who I feel will benefit from reading along, or who can help us from viewing.
So, I think I'll just refer to them by their nick-names, or H and A if I'm
feeling extra lazy!
So....
About the children....
Both H & A (Yep, see I'm lazy) have been diagnosed as ASD. That is, Autism is a part
of our lives...but it is not our life. I refuse the term "My child is
autistic"...no, autism is a part of my child , but it doesn't define them.
Allani was diagnosed
shortly after turning two. Prior to about 20 months there was nothing
noticeably different. All milestones were reached etc. Then……the language
stopped. Allani grew agitated as she tried communicating in grunts and got
nowhere. I thought it might have been her dummy (pacifier) so took this off
her. I then thought it could be a case of her brother (13 months older)
speaking for her. A visit with the speech therapist shed light of a whole new
world.
The GP visits
followed, many appointments to see a paediatrician…all with lengthy waiting
lists. I attended a seminar on Autism and sitting in that huge crowd hearing
about signs and children’s traits I realised that they were not only describing
my daughter, but my son as well. It was a scary and saddening feeling.
Breakthrough – Through a visit of a special needs assistance
program, my children were given an appointment with a paediatrician and no two
year waiting list!
Allani was diagnosed upon appointment. Harry was referred to
a psychologist, who later, along with the speech therapist, determined
diagnosis of also ASD.
What this meant for us – I’ll admit it, I was a wreck. It
was as if I grieved for children who were here; who were healthy and happy. It
took time to realise it was only my dreams that had died. They my children were
indeed still very much capable of achieving their own dreams and aspirations.
The only thing that had changed was that I was able to reassess how I was
attempting to teach them, and we were granted access to resources and services
to help this happen.
So here we are now. It’s been 1.5 years since initial
assessment of A. She has gone from non-verbal to…”please child, just be quiet
for a moment!” Allani is yet to engage in complete sentences, but the
language use is there and in context, even if it is just to herself.
Harry, who never lost speech but has definite delays is also
progressing in leaps and bounds. Conversations can take place. He sings, he
asks questions, it’s great.
So…from here on in I plan to document small activities we do
and the effect. I plan to record the children speaking, singing etc….and then I
can see how far they’re really coming!
Hope you enjoy being part of our adventure. Dea xo
