Tanner's Naughtism

Back in December 2007, Tanner went in for his 2 yr. check up. The pediatrician asked if I had any concerns regarding Tanner, and I just mentioned his speech delay (hello Cody Jr.), and he immediately set up an appointment with a developmental specialist. So in January, we met with him and he spent about 45 minutes evaluating Tanner...then the specialist said that Tanner might be slightly autistic. Why? Because he didn't look at him when he walked into the room, he didn't cooperate very well, and he had a speech delay. He said that eye contact and "having some speech" didn't mean that he couldn't still be slightly autistic. He said he might not cooperate because, "to autistic children, asking them to do something just doesn't make sense."

I told him that his older brother had a speech delay as well, but the state didn't think he needed special classes. I told him that Tanner cooperates when I have a fruit snack in my hand. The specialist said that I just happened to find the key to unlock what makes him cooperate. HUH? He then proceeded to set up appointments with Kaiser's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) center and the Early Start Program. I was then sent packets to fill out from each place (about 10 pages each) and had to answer questions like, "When did he roll over?" "When did he first follow an object with his eyes?" "When did he bring an object to his mouth?" Are you kidding me? It took me forever to fill out those forms!

In the meantime, I was thinking how this was all wrong... But then Tanner started throwing more tantrums, he suddenly couldn't count to five anymore, and he started banging his head A LOT! Then doubt began to seep deeper and deeper into my head.

The Early Start Program appt. had four people there (a speech therapist, a rep from the regional center, an observer, and a child psychologist.) The speech therapist played with him on the floor while the child psychologist asked most of the questions. Luckily, the speech therapist looked a little like my cousin Kristeen (whom he LOVES) so Tanner played nicely with her! He didn't always cooperate, but the psychologist said it was because he was more interested in the toy he was playing with. He banged his head near the end of the appt., but they said it was more out of anger/frustration rather than to comfort himself. The speech therapist said he's on the low end of speech, but within normal limits.

The ASD Center appt. was FOUR HOURS long, and that was considered short! It was actually slotted for 9:oo am to 2:30 pm! It consisted of more play and observation. She asked what my concerns were, and I told her that I didn't really have any, but I was referred by the developmental specialist. But I DID tell her that I was there to be sure I wasn't just in denial and wanted to be REALLY sure if he was slightly autistic or not. Of course he banged his head again, to which the specialist started madly writing on her clipboard, but in the end, she said the same thing as the Early Start people. I was relieved after the appointment, but a little embarrassed too. I mean, if you think about it, my son didn't have a disorder, he was just NAUGHTY!! I think both places should have a box on their forms marked "just naughty".

The Early Start people set up another appt. (at the house) to say that Tanner did qualify for "early intervention services" which would mean an early interventionist would come to the house and help with speech, socialization, and play skills.

The early interventionist came at the end of May. She asked what my concerns were. I told her the whole referral story. By the end of the appt., we both kind of agreed that getting Tanner into classes like Gymboree would probably be better than her coming to the house. However, I know he's not ready for pre-school. Besides not being potty trained, he just needs to grow out of his terrible twos...or what I refer to as his naughtism!

So finally, (between Cody and Tanner) after a year of appts. (and keeping everything open, just in case they needed speech/autism therapy 5 days a week)...we can finally sign up for some fun classes! HOORAY!