When Jaxon was diagnosed with Autism we were thrown into a tailspin. I wanted to do anything and everything to help him “get better”. I didn’t know what the right path would be so I followed the advice of doctors and started with traditional medicine.
Speech therapy and occupational therapies were added to our weekly schedule but he did not qualify for ABA therapy. Of course I started doing my own research, reading, talking, anything information I could get my hands on was of interest to me. When we didn’t’ see any progress after a couple months on the “traditional path” I decided to take things in my own direction.
We took Jaxon to a DAN doctor and had some testing and evaluating done. We were in the process of moving so we didn’t completely follow through with everything with this doctor and began looking for a doctor near our new location. A friend recommended a new DAN doctor to us so we gave it a try. I wasn’t completely comfortable with this doctor either but he definitely had a better “plan” than anyone to this point so we followed his lead.
However, things didn’t really improve on this path (if I remember correctly they got a little worse) so once again we started looking for a new path to follow. When I was least expecting it, I was given the name and number to yet another (yes, another! I know, I was thinking the same things myself) DAN doctor and once again decided that hopefully “the third time is a charm” and wouldn’t you know…SUCCESS!
Our first appointment was a blur, lots and lots of information and questions. I was about 6 months pregnant so I was already in “pregnancy brain mode” but Brent was just as lost as I was! We just sat back, listened, asked a lot of questions, and let someone else take the driver’s seat in our child’s road to healing for once, it was hard to let go of the wheel (very very hard) but for some reason, I just had this feeling that what we were doing was right!
Within three weeks of starting Jaxon’s treatment plan he finally began talking. We would take a step or two backward followed by leaps and bounds forwards. For the first time since Jaxon was diagnosed I had a glimpse of hope that things were going to be ok. I won’t get into the details of his treatment on this post, I will leave that for another post, but I will leave you with a few thoughts…
*If you don’t have a good feeling about a doctor or treatment plan there is probably a reason for it, listen to your gut, follow your heart, you are your child’s only advocate!
*Don’t ever give up, keep looking until you find the doctor that understands your child and his/hers needs and is willing to go the distance to help them…they are out there, I promise!
*Take a moment here and there to sit back and let it all absorb. Raising a child with Autism is not an easy thing to do but it is a job that you have been given and it is up to you to do the best job possible.
*If you are feeling overwhelmed, look for a friend or a support group. Talking with other parents who understand what you are going through can make a world of difference.
Speech therapy and occupational therapies were added to our weekly schedule but he did not qualify for ABA therapy. Of course I started doing my own research, reading, talking, anything information I could get my hands on was of interest to me. When we didn’t’ see any progress after a couple months on the “traditional path” I decided to take things in my own direction.
We took Jaxon to a DAN doctor and had some testing and evaluating done. We were in the process of moving so we didn’t completely follow through with everything with this doctor and began looking for a doctor near our new location. A friend recommended a new DAN doctor to us so we gave it a try. I wasn’t completely comfortable with this doctor either but he definitely had a better “plan” than anyone to this point so we followed his lead.
However, things didn’t really improve on this path (if I remember correctly they got a little worse) so once again we started looking for a new path to follow. When I was least expecting it, I was given the name and number to yet another (yes, another! I know, I was thinking the same things myself) DAN doctor and once again decided that hopefully “the third time is a charm” and wouldn’t you know…SUCCESS!
Our first appointment was a blur, lots and lots of information and questions. I was about 6 months pregnant so I was already in “pregnancy brain mode” but Brent was just as lost as I was! We just sat back, listened, asked a lot of questions, and let someone else take the driver’s seat in our child’s road to healing for once, it was hard to let go of the wheel (very very hard) but for some reason, I just had this feeling that what we were doing was right!
Within three weeks of starting Jaxon’s treatment plan he finally began talking. We would take a step or two backward followed by leaps and bounds forwards. For the first time since Jaxon was diagnosed I had a glimpse of hope that things were going to be ok. I won’t get into the details of his treatment on this post, I will leave that for another post, but I will leave you with a few thoughts…
*If you don’t have a good feeling about a doctor or treatment plan there is probably a reason for it, listen to your gut, follow your heart, you are your child’s only advocate!
*Don’t ever give up, keep looking until you find the doctor that understands your child and his/hers needs and is willing to go the distance to help them…they are out there, I promise!
*Take a moment here and there to sit back and let it all absorb. Raising a child with Autism is not an easy thing to do but it is a job that you have been given and it is up to you to do the best job possible.
*If you are feeling overwhelmed, look for a friend or a support group. Talking with other parents who understand what you are going through can make a world of difference.
Jaxon, 4 months before diagnosis, back when we knew something was wrong, but didn't know what that "something" was.
Jaxon, 1 month before starting his biomedical treatment plan, lots of quiet moments looking at things because he couldn't talk and communicate his thoughts.
Jaxon, 1 month before starting biomedical treatment, lots of "talking with his hands" because he couldn't tell us what he was thinking.
Jaxon, 1 month after starting biomedical treatment for Autism, enjoying things again and telling us his wants/needs.
Jaxon, first day of 1st grade! We have come so far that it almost feels like it was all just a dream...almost.