r/Autism_Parenting

Hope this is allowed.

Has anyone tried leucovorin for their child? I’m curious about it as I’ve seen a lot of parents in my FB groups talking about it.

If you did, were there any improvements? Side effects?

If you considered it but decided against, what made you change your mind?

Hello- Has anyone applied for FMLA for intermittent childcare? I have a 7 year old. My child receives PT, OT, speech and ABA services but has no other medical conditions. He is sensory avoidant and does poorly in group settings so I usually work when he's at school and have babysitters care for him a few days a week. I have had a lot of trouble finding babysitters that will care for him (so so many have quit!).

My work announced a new policy that giving our requested PTO days is optional and that we will only receive the time off if they can find coverage. I don't know if they will enforce these new policies. However, I currently use PTO for times that I cannot find childcare during school breaks (Xmas, end of August, etc).

I would request one week off every 3-4 months. Has anyone had any success with something similar?

My 7-year-old autistic kiddo (verbal, level 1) is increasingly having problems with transitions. I know this is not a new problem for parents with autistic kiddos.

What I'm noticing is that the anxiety over a particular transition is starting earlier and earlier. For example, tonight is swim lesson night. They love swim lessons. Once they get in the water they are a little fish and quite happy.

But now the anxiety over swim night is starting first thing in the morning or even the night before. Which has eliminated one of my tools to get through transitions lots of advance warning.

I do remind them that they love swimming once they are in the water. But in the midst of anxiety this is no comfort to them.

I'm looking for ideas on how to help them with transitions to things that are not daily events.

NOTE: This is not just about swimming, that was simply my example. We see this with any activity that is not a daily activity. Other examples would be Scouts, Karate, a doctor's visit, a birthday party I know they really want to go to basically anything that is not part of their daily routine.

Hi everyone, I’m a mum to a 2.5yo and a 6mo old. Maybe this is a stupid question but I’m slightly worried about our baby. My first was cluster feeding sooooo much as a newborn, I think in the first 7 weeks he didn’t really have much awake time that he wasn’t breastfeeding/suckling. Overall, the boobies were a guaranteed off-switch for any crying. He actually didn’t cry much anyway but if he did cry or whine or fuss or whatever, I’d just breastfeed him and he’d be calm IMMEDIATELY.

The concept of comfort-nursing is entirely foreign to my second. He has never in his entire life did any cluster feeding, which at first I was relieved about. I however soon learned how exhausting it is when you have to try 52857205 different ways to soothe your baby or to put them (back) to sleep.

He’s now 6 months old and never ever nurses for comfort. The breast is treated solely as a food source and once he’s done (like 3-4min), he wants nothing to do with it.

I read that breastfeeding aversion can be a sign of autism. Were any of your kids like this as babies?

He otherwise doesn’t show any concerns. He has excellent eye contact, so much that it was commented on several times already at a couple days old. Social-smiled early, normal motor development etc. Doesn’t say consonants yet though, my first started the whole “dadadadada” around 5+ months and then “baba”, “mama” etc at 6 months. My second is still in the aaaaaa ooooooo stage. Not sure what’s normal with regard to that though.

One of my daughter is autistic and always worried about her not being aware of her environment. She is now 15 and was awarded DLA last year since we did not know she was entitled to it. However, all efforts to get her a mobility allowance failed so we needed up with the mid-tier offer.

I wanted to ask if one can still get a car using part of the DLA allowance as we need it to always pick her up and take her places.

Well my worst fear has been realized, ive posted here recently asking if adenoid issues can imitate autism, my son (22 months old) had his adenoids removed and we saw minor behavioral improvements… however after a visit with a neurologist we got a confirmed diagnosis of regressive Autism. An absolute gut punch… im terrified of his future… will he talk? Will he say he loves us? Will he make friends? Will he be bullied? Will he drive? Will he find love? Etc i feel like in the blink of an eye ive lost my son and I feel TERRIBLE harboring those feelings… please tell me with early intervention he has a fighting chance.. Hes so so so smart and intuitive and VERY motor driven.

-loves the outdoors
-obsessed with rocks and sticks
-loves the water
-doesnt say words he used to say
- giggles and laughs
-doesnt point or clap anymore
-very well behaved in public
-loves law patrol (he has very limited screen time)
-doesnt listen very well at all
-doesnt really respond to name well

These are just some behaviors that really stand out. Any and all help and advice or success stories would be more then welcome

Thank you

Hi everyone,
My son is 3 years old and has not been diagnosed with autism yet. To give some background, we were advised to wait and continue monitoring his development because he does not present with the more typical autistic traits.
He has a mild speech delay and severe anxiety. He has been going to kindergarten for the past year, and we are very fortunate to have such understanding and caring staff there. Still, drop-offs break my heart every single day. While the other children run in excitedly, my son becomes extremely anxious during separation. Lately, he closes his eyes and says he is scared. He has only one friend there, and when that child is present, he feels a little more comfortable.
Social situations are difficult for him in general. Whenever we have friends over, he does not want to play with the other children, even though they attend the same kindergarten. At the playground, if it is crowded, he usually just observes instead of joining in. We never force him, but we do gently encourage him to try new things and experience new environments.
He is also very rigid about certain things and struggles when something does not go the way he expects, which often leads to meltdowns. We started occupational therapy and speech therapy last year, but he is still not comfortable with either therapist and sometimes refuses to participate altogether.
I honestly feel overwhelmed. Everything feels like a struggle right now — from bath time to leaving the house. It is affecting my mental health deeply, and I am finding it hard to focus on my job.
How do you cope with this? I have no personal experience with anxiety because both my husband and I are quite social people, and he is our only child. It is hard not to compare him to other children. I would really appreciate any advice or tips from parents who have gone through something similar.
I just feel so heartbroken for my little boy, and lately I cannot stop crying.

Hello. My daughter is getting evaluated next month. I am nervous that she won't be diagnosed (not fishing for a diagnosis-just want to get her appropriate support). Could I get some feedback on her behaviors?

She is already diagnosed with and medicated for ADHD and anxiety and is profoundly gifted.

Family history-I have been diagnosed with level 2 autism, her uncle (my brother) has a diagnosis level 2 and her cousin (on my side) is level 3. Dad is likely undiagnosed level 1 with several undiagnosed brothers and his father. I have strong assumptions that my dad was also neurodivergent. Sibling diagnosed with SPD.

Early development: hit all milestones very, very early, hyperlexic (self taught reader at 2.5), echolalia and palolalia, scripted play, watched shows (specific episodes) and movies on repeat, special interests (years long interests that all she wanted to do was act out her tv shows and episodes and books (all related to the show). meltdowns, sensory sensitivities with clothing, food and noise.

Gradeschool: Very hard time with social situations, dominates conversations, percieves others as being mean when they dont want to talk about her interests, three year long special interest in book series (refead series and the graphic novels, drew, acted out and talked about it constantly), several other long-term special interests, peers see as odd, difficulty in unstructured social settings, only one friend, gets made fun of, difficulty with transitioning after lunch and recess, argumentitive with peers and adults, hard time with group work, big sense of justice that can get her in trouble, meltdowns, has been removed from after-school activities due to meltdowns and social differences, had to stop sports due to overstimulation (noise, people, multi-step directions), extreme meltdowns at home, still repeats videos, movies and episodes (even the same ones from early childhood still), needs quiet time before and after school for regulation, absolutely hates school.

I'm worried they will pass this off as simply her ADHD, anxiety and giftedness. Thoughts?

After my wife died, the kids and I pretty much lost any semblance of support from family. I’ve finally got a diagnosis for my daughter (5 yrs, lvl 3) and my son (3 yrs, lvl 2) has had a diagnosis since August of last year.

We have no family, no friends and I’m learning that the system does not work well. Meetings, paperwork, phone calls for the doctor, the regional center, the ABA clinic.. it’s exhausting. Almost every step of the way has been fraught with incompetence and rudeness.

While we’re waiting to use these services, I still have to work and manage the house. I’m trying my best.

My son has recently taken up screaming at the top of his lungs at every inconvenience. I’m sure our neighbors just love us. I know my coworkers don’t appreciate it.

We went to get haircuts recently. My son was in the designated play area while I was getting my hair cut and decided he didn’t want to share toys, so he pushed another kid. I’m so tired of apologizing. I can’t go out or do anything without one of them making a scene… it’s so embarrassing.

My daughter has regressed with potty training and has begun having accidents again.

I get it, we just moved. It’s just so hard to do everything at once. Nothing highlights how different they are than when they play with other kids… and it’s so very, very isolating.

I can see the pity or disdain in the other parents’ eyes.. I’m not a bad dad, I’m just trying my best.

I love my babies more than anything.

I’m going to do my best to find a support group for parents with autistic children— I need to hear that I’m not alone. So badly. I’m going to keep advocating for them, they deserve it.

It’s just really hard.

Hi, when your child was diagnosed with autism, how did you accept it and how long it took for you to accept it?

I love my autistic kiddo so much. We noticed a few months ago (for a couple of weeks) things were actually going okay with my little. Things were calming down. Jumping into now he has been (respectfully) off the wall. I have no idea what it is. Elopement is back and kicking my butt, the tantrums and meltdowns for not being to access things like elevators whenever he wants have been hard in public, etc. Basically my question is, is 5-8 the hardest?

hello all, first time posting ever on Reddit and I‘m not typically on social media in general so I apologize in advance to the moderators if I break any rules. I just feel like my friends have said a lot of inappropriate things over the years regarding my child’s diagnosis. The most recent (but not the most inappropriate) was that they told me that they’re not vaccinated their child. I have no issues with this as I know it’s their choice and everyone just wants to do what’s best, or what they think is the best for their kids…but I found it so inappropriate that they just told me. When I confronted them, it was met with me not understanding, even though I told them I didn’t care about the choice, just thought it was rude to volunteer that information. I feel like I should have just responded with “oh yeah definitely don’t. You don't want your kid to end up like moe right? That would be the worst fucking thing ever.” But of course that’s not how I responded…. I just want to know if I’m being too sensitive, because I’m ready to just cut it off. Like I said, this comment wasn’t even the worst thing said, but it just doesn’t seem like they’re ever going to understand, not that I expect them too, but I don’t expect the constant judgement. I thought once they had kids they would…but my child is 6 now and been diagnosed the last 4 years, they’re all having their first children and it doesn’t seem like they’re getting it.

Long story short, right after a very busy morning at the local trampoline park, my boy (ASD Level 3, 4m), had an episode.

We were eating lunch in the car, and I mentioned stopping at the store on the way home. He immediately perked up and excitedly asked if we could get him a bouquet of yellow roses at the store (flowers are his special interest). I told him No, we wouldn’t be getting roses, and the screaming started. Full on, sobbing, red-faced, screaming “Please Mommy please! Yellow roses! Please Mommy let’s go to Safeway and get yellow roses! MOMMY! MOMMY! I WILL KEEP SCREAMING! YELLOW ROSES PLEASE!”

In the end, after 25 minutes of this I was able to get him to calm enough to listen after which I told him we would go to Safeway and get a small bouquet of daisies like we have in the backyard as long as he went into the store with me calmly and only picked out a daisy bouquet. He took deep breaths, calmed, and walked through the store right past the expensive roses and happily picked out a simple $5 bunch of daisies.

Important to add that big reactions from being told No are not common, and also that getting flowers at the grocery store is NOT a common occurrence, only happens once in a blue moon. We usually go and pick wildflowers at the park. But NO alternative was getting through to him.

So here’s my question…. He is my only child. How in the heck do I know if he is having a meltdown, or just throwing a fit because he wanted something and I told him No? Did he just Win by me giving into his need for flowers? Or did I Win by standing my ground and not getting him $25 roses?

These situations are so hard to tackle because I have no parenting experience. I don’t want to tell him that behavior is okay, but I also don’t want to punish him if he was possibly just stuck on a fixation that he couldn’t get over…

So in essence this is a really long post to ask if he played me 🤦‍♀️

I am currently awaiting evaluation for my 3 year old son, who is for the most part hitting all milestones for his age aside from speech, he is a gestalt language learner, his receptive speech in 2 languages is almost a 100%. The big things i notice with him is again, he is not conversational just has functional language. He avoids socializing and now its to the point where if someone is even on the sidewalk while we’re walking, he’ll walk the other way. He gets overwhelmed in social situations and tries to deflect. Another thing to point out is am diagnosed ADHD so i wouldn’t be surprised if he was also not neurotypical.

My question to parents with level 1 or low needs is what were something you noticed that pushed you for an eval. Since diagnosis what therapies are you doing for your child?

Everyone around me seems to make it seem like im making a big deal out of nothing since he “looks normal” and needs low support.

Hi all,

I'm wondering if any of you had a similar situation where your kid meets a lot of the signs but also exhibits many neuro typical behaviors as well. Because I was accepted for 40 minutes per week from early steps due to his expressive language not matching his receptive. Though they said it was just precautionary and they don't necessarily see anything that far out of the ordinary. I certainly do though. And just want to know what you think.

Possible ND behaviors:

1. He doesnt like eye contact but will make it often from a small distance. Up close he will purposely look at other things to avoid it but from 5+ feet away he doesnt mind it as much. But he never sits there staring at me the way i see other babies do.

2. Cant sit still ever and seems to have an overactive nervous system that makes him breathe intensely as if hes nervous often. Like i mean hes never just sat on one of our laps without squirming to get off. This also leads to constant restlessness and whining and the whine often has a little bit of hyperventilation with it. Gives us a rough time with anything we have to do like feeding, changing, bathing etc. all around he just never seems relaxed or calm. Like seriously ever. As if his nervous system is stuck on fight or flight. And his head and eye movement seem more rapid than his peers who seem comatose by comparison.

3. Only started babbling at 8.5 months and even then it was mostly the same sound or little variations of it. Now at a 15 months old he just points at things and says ah! ah! And hes never really babbled much and definitely no conversational babble. He makes noises to immitate mechanical sounds very often but theyre mostly the same two noises and definitely not a babble. He squeals when running or from excitement. He has a few words like an approximation of cracker where he'll say caca in a high pitched voice and will say the same for caca when we change him. Also a one syllable approximation of empty when he puts his hand in something and its empty. He makes animal noises for some animals but only a few are anything resembling the right ones and the rest are kind of just a one noise fits all.

4. Wakes like 3-4 times per night crying. But can be quickly put back to sleep with a bottle.

5. Doesnt like touch and will push my hands away or push himself away if i hold him close. Though, if he wants to touch me that seems ok by him.

6. Terrified of new people to the point of crying until taken away. Doesnt even completely warm up to my nieces when theyve been by me for a week.

7. I can only calm him down when he gets all nervous and whiney by putting him next to the sink and letting him run his hands under the water for 20 minutes or so. Either that or flying him around the house in my arms but the second i put him down it comes right back. Taking him out for a walk seems to redirect it mostly as well.

8. Responds to his name about 75% of the time and sometimes will let me sit there saying it like 5 times without looking. Outdoors its more iffy than indoors.

9. Grabs anxiously at the back of his hair many times a day. And when wanting something he cant point to, or to be picked up, he whines anxiously while looking past me and curles his hands inward oddly. And he half the time doesnt actually want anything specifically. Its more of just an anxious freakout.

10. He seems to babble less now than he even did at a year old and he really didnt babble much then. Also cant make a certain sound he once could which is bababa. He mostly can say caca , mama, or gaga.

11. I know this one sounds counterintuitive for an ASD forum but he cant play alone. We cant ever just put him in a space with toys and have him play with them and give us a break. He needs constant stimulation by us pretty much at all times. Zero breaks.

12. He doesnt really show emotions. Im not sure how many he should have by now but i havent seen him cry if someone else does. And i havent seen anger. Or surprise. More just startled, afraid, nervous, happy. Also doesnt laugh often. We kinda have to make him laugh.

13. Looking back, he cried a ton of his first 4 months of life and couldnt really be put anywhere like a swing seat or anything as he was always uncomfortable much like now. He also had strange movements that looked like spasms as an infant but the eeg's didnt find anything. He had a violent vacuum birth that looked to me like they nearly twisted his head off taking him out, but they assured me he wouldnt be crying if he werent ok when he was born. I didnt believe that and git an ultrasound but that came back normal.

Supposedly NT behaviors:

1. Plays peekaboo by hiding behind things and popping out, sometimes while laughing.

2. Points, waves, claps, smiles.

3. Knows what sound about 7-10 animals make if i ask him or show him the pictures of them, but its become lower effort and he honestly used to be better at the sounds a few months ago.

4. Knows a bunch of words and i can tell him to do things like find my belly button or his, and show me parts of my body like fingers and toes when i ask him to. I can tell him to walk backwards or stand on one leg or get the remote out of a droor and turn on the tv and he can do all that, and has done those since he was 13.5 months old.

5. Walked perfectly by himself including while carrying things at 11 months old.

6. Immitates the noises of things like the vacuum cleaner or pouring water and knows the names of them so if i mention them, he'll make their noises.

7. Knows how to give me things if i ask for them sometimes and seems to know who he is and who all 3 caregivers are by name.

8. Can put rings on a cone and shapes in their spots and push things back and forth with me like a ball, though he gets what seems to be anxiety and ejects from these activities after like 20-30 seconds.

9. Gives me a big deep hug if i ask him sometimes.

10. Seems to know a lot of words receptively. Maybe around 50-75 in two different languages but says basically nothing. Ive heard bilingual homes delay speech but i havent known them to delay babbling or the ability to even immitate an easy sound.

Thanks guys, and sorry if im wrong about the significance of these things. Im probably forgetting some but this is most of it. Wondering if any of this sounds familiar to anyone and how its going.

I think it’s easy for me to hop on here and vent about the hard parts. Instead, I need to share what happened on Mother’s Day. Early in the day my husband encouraged our 3.5 year old to repeat “happy Mother’s Day”, which he did sort of try to. It was sweet.

Later in the day he and I walked together and he laid his head on my arm and said “we’re like a puzzle, we’re a puzzle. My head and mommy’s arm.”

It’s just one of those moments that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.