More children
My husband and I would like to have more children. Our first child hadDS and a severe heart defect and passed away at 13 months. Our secondchild is as of yet to be diagnosed on the spectrum. DH and I still havethe ache in our heart to have another little one. I have been taking myprenats, methionine, b-12, and extra folic acid since August and havejust started some other things after investigating the link on Dana’ssite. We are thinking of getting started in April. I know my chancesare great of having another child with autism. What is it like to havetwo children with autism? Does anyone have any words of wisdom prior toour next TTC adventure?
This post tagged as: children with autism, folic acid, autism
Julienne Hannig said,
Wrote on March 21, 2007 @ 2:11 am
It has been so long since I’ve talked to you. As you well know Ithink that I will end up having two children with autism. Bradenhas PDD NOS and Dustin is in the process of getting the dx. Ireally have to tell you that it is not easy having 2 children on thespectrum but all of the hard work is worth it. Dustin has beenreceiving services even though he doesn’t have the dx yet and he haschanged so much. He is doing things that I never thought he woulddo. You can work on these things with Noah at home. If you wouldlike I would love to tell you how to work with him. One of my dearfriends (she has an ASD child who is 9) is also an ABA therapist andshe is helping me put together programs for both of my children.She lives 7 hours away from me and came to visit over the holidaysand she was shocked at the improvements that my children have made.She told me that even with her expertise she would not be able totell that Braden has ASD just by watching him. She could only tellby trying to have a conversation with him. That made me feelgreat. Dustin is now using some functional words and some signlanguage. He is progressing so well.
I totally understand your reservations about having another childwith special needs but you need to do what is in your heart. Ireally believe that God does not give us anymore than what we canhandle. My husband and I are also debating a 3rd child. We havedecided to wait a couple of years to see if any research comes outabout genetics and autism. Then the decision will be hard for us,but right now I am totally dedicating my life to my 2 precious boysthat are getting better and better everyday!!!
I have to tell you that for the past 6 months I have been lookingfor an animal that Braden could build a bond with and learn to takecare of. Well, last night I hit the jackpot, he now has a rabbitthat he ADORES. Last night was the first night we had him. He saton Braden’s lap and watched TV with him forever. When it was timeto go to bed I was going to put Harley in a cage (he’s so tame thathe just runs around our house like a dog during the day and he’spotty trained). Braden went and got a pillow and blanket and wasgoing to sleep downstairs on the floor beside him! So I moved thecage upstairs and Braden waited until I fell asleep and got Harleyout of the cage and put him in his bed!!! He slept with him. NowBraden can not be without Harley. He is so gentle with him andHarley is the best thing ever. Just thought I’d share that storywith you b/c I’m so excited about it.
Melisa Schumpert said,
Wrote on March 22, 2007 @ 2:31 am
I have four vaccine-injured kids. Three were on spectrum. Currentlythey are no longer on spectrum, altho two of them do have lingeringissues with language delay.
It really depends on the child’s issues. My kids did not have severebehaviors, they just had language delays and a few other issues likesensory and stims.
If you are considering the recommendations here, then you have a goodchance of avoiding most, if not all, potential issues
http://www.danasview.net/newbaby.htm