Before Angelina turned 4 years old, we changed three different pre-schools because her teachers would say she was not focused in the classroom. My daughters speech changed dramatically and the little words that she knew to say, it was completely gone. I thought that her trip to South America had affected her speech in some way, but that was not the cause. It was so frustrating that nobody would point out to me that she might have autism. Not one pre-school could of said "I think she should be evaluated for autism". I was getting upset by everyone saying that because we were a Spanish speaking home, that was the cause of her speech delay. I knew she had to see her pediatrician ASAP once her speech went back to almost zero.
I took her to "ABW Pediatrics" in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and I just went off on her doctor & demanded some sort of answer. He observed her in the room and tried to talk to Angelina, but she would not respond back to him nor did she looked straight at his eyes. Her pediatrician told me that one of the signs of autism is lack of eye contact and the loss of speech. He tried to explain to me that as much as he is her pediatrician, Angelina would have to also see a "Developmental Pediatrician" as well.
The second I went home, I went to Google and was able to get some definitions for every medical term he tried to explain to me. I guess I lost focus right after I heard him mention the word 'autism' and my daughter together in one sentence. I tried to call and search for a "Developmental Pediatrician" in the Lehigh Valley and found out that Good Shepherd has developmental doctors. Unfortunately, I called them and their waiting list was almost a year long which made me more anxious. What I did learn is that even though you are in a long waiting list, still put your name on it because it can always be sooner rather than later in that year wait.
I was and am an impatient mother and even though I am in a waiting list for one doctor, it will not stop me from finding other doctors out of my area temporarily. My radius extended all the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and went to Center City Pediatrics which I got an appointment to see Dr. Berger in 4 days. When I scheduled the appointment I explained to the receptionist over the phone that I wanted to evaluate my daughter for autism, it helps when you explain to them because they can schedule it with the doctor and another specialized person who is also in charge to see if she has autism.
Sometimes parents are in denial and decide to cover things like a band aide, it doesn't make us bad parents by doing that. It just makes us parents who worry about hearing a possible truth, it can be very difficult, but we have to take the next step in order to help our kids in their future.
When I took my daughter for her appointment in Philadelphia, we were there for a long time and they observed her and asked all kinds of questions. Both doctors were very patient with my daughter and even though it took more than an hour of talk and evaluation, they were able to give me an answer. I knew it was autism, but sometimes you need a specialist to tell you those words "I am sorry to tell you, but your daughter has autism" those precise words can make any parent want to cry.
Right away the doctor was able to give me prescriptions and explained the following steps that I would have to take in order to help my daughter. I am thankful to them because they guided me in what direction I should take with Angelina. Dr. Berger explained that there is a window in ever child with autism and I have to get her the services soon before it closes; in plain English this means that in order to help my child I didn't have enough time. I had to find someone ASAP to start the ball rolling.
I was given a prescription for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and behavioral therapy. WOW! so much therapies that I knew she was going to be a busy child and I was going to be a busy mom trying to make appointments, believe me it was very difficult and not easy to find something fast.
Out of all the appointments that I had made for my daughter, finding a behavioral therapist was the most difficult one of all. I called several places and most were not accepting new patients and other were a year wait or more. They asked me several questions and one of them were my availability and I just told them anytime. A Behavioral Therapist comes to your home and helps your child with their speech and basically helping them go out in the outside world. It's a very long process and it is not a quick fix to any type of problem.
I finally received the call from Kids Peace and "GoodShepherd" to see their developmental doctor.
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