Comments on: The Regression Question http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:21:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: navi http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-555216 navi Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:23:09 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-555216 I have to say my son clearly regressed. That doesn't mean he didn't have the autism to begin with, but he regressed. about 6 months, I started feeding him baby food he'd hang onto the spoon and direct it back and forth between the bowl and his mouth, all I did was make sure the food didn't fall off... was only finger eating at about 18 months... He talked early as well, could even say 'wowa' for Lola by around 9 months, and it was clear he was referring to his older sister, and not copying a sound he heard. He'd laugh when I copied the UScan's and would play patty cake around a year old... but after he started walking/running, that was all he wanted to do, and he lost other abilities. I can't use the 'he never made eye contact' to identify the early signs either, as he still makes eye contact... basically the only 'early indicator' I've got is the fact that he was sensitive, which technically isn't a trait of autism... I have to say my son clearly regressed. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have the autism to begin with, but he regressed.

about 6 months, I started feeding him baby food he’d hang onto the spoon and direct it back and forth between the bowl and his mouth, all I did was make sure the food didn’t fall off… was only finger eating at about 18 months…

He talked early as well, could even say ‘wowa’ for Lola by around 9 months, and it was clear he was referring to his older sister, and not copying a sound he heard.

He’d laugh when I copied the UScan’s and would play patty cake around a year old…

but after he started walking/running, that was all he wanted to do, and he lost other abilities.

I can’t use the ‘he never made eye contact’ to identify the early signs either, as he still makes eye contact… basically the only ‘early indicator’ I’ve got is the fact that he was sensitive, which technically isn’t a trait of autism…

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-558322 Kristina Chew, PhD Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:32:42 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-558322 @athina, a family whose son has Asperger's noted the same thing about their son's development. He had very early speech and certain academic skills (knowing letters and numbers); was not toilet trained till 4 (and it was difficult). His developmental trajectory was just very different, rather than delayed for most things. @athina,
a family whose son has Asperger’s noted the same thing about their son’s development. He had very early speech and certain academic skills (knowing letters and numbers); was not toilet trained till 4 (and it was difficult). His developmental trajectory was just very different, rather than delayed for most things.

]]> By: athina http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-550717 athina Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:04:30 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-550717 No regression and no loss of skills for my son. His development was slow and uneven. He could speak before he was even one, but he never crawled or showed any desire to move on his own until he was 12 months old. Then, all of a sudden, he stood up and started walking when he was 13 months old. His gross and fine motor skills were and still are clearly delayed. Looking back, the signs were all there, but it was so easy for us to overlook them, because he could talk earlier than any other child we knew, he could count and name objects and shapes and animals, before he was even two. When I watch videos of his two first years, it is more than obvious that there's something there, that I, by then, was unaware of. If it so happened that at some point my son had lost his speech, it would be easy for me to say that his development was normal before that (after all, he did speak and walk on time). It wouldn't be true, though. No regression and no loss of skills for my son. His development was slow and uneven. He could speak before he was even one, but he never crawled or showed any desire to move on his own until he was 12 months old. Then, all of a sudden, he stood up and started walking when he was 13 months old. His gross and fine motor skills were and still are clearly delayed. Looking back, the signs were all there, but it was so easy for us to overlook them, because he could talk earlier than any other child we knew, he could count and name objects and shapes and animals, before he was even two. When I watch videos of his two first years, it is more than obvious that there’s something there, that I, by then, was unaware of. If it so happened that at some point my son had lost his speech, it would be easy for me to say that his development was normal before that (after all, he did speak and walk on time). It wouldn’t be true, though.

]]> By: Marla http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-551962 Marla Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:34:08 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-551962 I realize our situation might be different than most since the rare chromosome disorder in addition to Autism and CVS. However, M showed signs since birth but also developed skills and regressed in areas. She is still one to move forward and then to regress. It can be very heartbreaking to see her move forward and then regress for months. Sometimes the skills are regained and some are not. It is very confusing. I realize our situation might be different than most since the rare chromosome disorder in addition to Autism and CVS. However, M showed signs since birth but also developed skills and regressed in areas. She is still one to move forward and then to regress. It can be very heartbreaking to see her move forward and then regress for months. Sometimes the skills are regained and some are not. It is very confusing.

]]> By: a long-time poster http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-558192 a long-time poster Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:22:38 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-558192 I have to say that I did think "autistic" the very first week (and he'd had no vaccines, btw). It was something in the way he moved ; ) I really just knew it. I have to say that I did think “autistic” the very first week (and he’d had no vaccines, btw). It was something in the way he moved ; ) I really just knew it.

]]> By: superpanda http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-553735 superpanda Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:05:54 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-553735 My boy was different even when he was a baby. He banged his head against the crib from three months onward. He only played water bottles and looked at things that spin. He didn't crawl but moved around with his bottom... Recently, I got to know that my mother-in-law's brother has two severe autistic grandchildren. So I guess that's genetic. My boy improved a lot, since he was diagnosed at two. He has many hours of ABA, OT and biomedical treatment. He is in a mainstream primary, but in a special needs support class. He loves to go to school, and enjoys it everyday! I am so glad for him! I am not expecting him to be cured, but as long as he has a quality life, that's enough! My boy was different even when he was a baby. He banged his head against the crib from three months onward. He only played water bottles and looked at things that spin. He didn’t crawl but moved around with his bottom…

Recently, I got to know that my mother-in-law’s brother has two severe autistic grandchildren. So I guess that’s genetic.

My boy improved a lot, since he was diagnosed at two. He has many hours of ABA, OT and biomedical treatment. He is in a mainstream primary, but in a special needs support class. He loves to go to school, and enjoys it everyday! I am so glad for him! I am not expecting him to be cured, but as long as he has a quality life, that’s enough!

]]> By: MomtoJBG http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-551942 MomtoJBG Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:01:49 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-551942 We used to call one of my twins "the archer" when he was an infant because he slept in a position as if he had just shot an arrow (Leaning way back with one arm in the air) Both boys were autistic from the get-go, as far as we can tell. In the womb they were very, very mellow, and still are today, for the most part. We used to call one of my twins “the archer” when he was an infant because he slept in a position as if he had just shot an arrow (Leaning way back with one arm in the air) Both boys were autistic from the get-go, as far as we can tell. In the womb they were very, very mellow, and still are today, for the most part.

]]> By: Anne http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-553772 Anne Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:09:01 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-553772 Albert: In his report, Dr. Greenland says that he made up the "label" of "clearly regressive autism" himself: "Within such broad categories of regressive autism, there can be cases of autism for which early autistic symptoms are absent (Werner and Dawson, 2005). I will label such cases as 'clearly regressive autism.'" (<a href="http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/autism/8%2028%2007%20pt1.pdf">Greenland expert report</a>, pp. 6-7.) The Werner and Dawson report that Dr. Greenland cites is "Validation of the phenomenon of autistic regression using home videotapes," which can be read <a href="http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/62/8/889.pdf?ck=nck">here</a>. As you can see, Werner and Dawson did not conclude that their subjects who experienced regression were typically developing in early infancy. To the contrary, they found subtle differences in neurological development before 12 months. Dr. Fombonne expanded on this idea during his testimony. Albert: In his report, Dr. Greenland says that he made up the “label” of “clearly regressive autism” himself: “Within such broad categories of regressive autism, there can be cases of autism for which early autistic symptoms are absent (Werner and Dawson, 2005). I will label such cases as ‘clearly regressive autism.’” (Greenland expert report, pp. 6-7.)

The Werner and Dawson report that Dr. Greenland cites is “Validation of the phenomenon of autistic regression using home videotapes,” which can be read here. As you can see, Werner and Dawson did not conclude that their subjects who experienced regression were typically developing in early infancy. To the contrary, they found subtle differences in neurological development before 12 months. Dr. Fombonne expanded on this idea during his testimony.

]]> By: Regan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-551665 Regan Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:38:08 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-551665 "I really feel there will be new subcategories soon and hopefully these will help us decided which treatment paths/approaches will work for which kids." ---------------------------- I've often felt that the broad category term "autism" or "PDD" is somewhat unhelpful because of the range that it encompasses under that umbrella. To paste additional tags such as MR, ADHD, etc. seems like an afterthought rather than a distinct diagnosis. “I really feel there will be new subcategories soon and hopefully these will help us decided which treatment paths/approaches will work for which kids.”
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I’ve often felt that the broad category term “autism” or “PDD” is somewhat unhelpful because of the range that it encompasses under that umbrella. To paste additional tags such as MR, ADHD, etc. seems like an afterthought rather than a distinct diagnosis.

]]> By: Lee (Shawn's other half) http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-regression-question/comment-page-1/#comment-553746 Lee (Shawn's other half) Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:27:32 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/the-regression-question/#comment-553746 We did not see any clear pattern of regression in either MJ or SJ. I have worked with some young children that have had clear regressions in their development. Recently I was seeing a boy (for motor issues) that initially had great eye contact and regard. He began talking on time and at 18 months had 100+ words, could identify eight geometric shapes, identify all letters in the alphabet and numbers 1-10. By 23 months he had no words. The regression was in every area except fine & gross motor. Interestingly, this child seemed to respond to the GFCF diet. He began intensive ABA focused services at 24 months and continued to regress for a few more months. I really feel there will be new subcategories soon and hopefully these will help us decided which treatment paths/approaches will work for which kids. We did not see any clear pattern of regression in either MJ or SJ. I have worked with some young children that have had clear regressions in their development. Recently I was seeing a boy (for motor issues) that initially had great eye contact and regard. He began talking on time and at 18 months had 100+ words, could identify eight geometric shapes, identify all letters in the alphabet and numbers 1-10. By 23 months he had no words. The regression was in every area except fine & gross motor. Interestingly, this child seemed to respond to the GFCF diet. He began intensive ABA focused services at 24 months and continued to regress for a few more months. I really feel there will be new subcategories soon and hopefully these will help us decided which treatment paths/approaches will work for which kids.

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