Comments on: Did Swine Flu cause Autism in my son? http://babyshrink.com/2009/08/did-swine-flu-cause-autism-in-my-son.html Child and parent development by licensed psychologist, Dr. Heather. Thu, 10 May 2012 19:00:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dr. Heather http://babyshrink.com/2009/08/did-swine-flu-cause-autism-in-my-son.html/comment-page-1#comment-4304 Dr. Heather Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:30:59 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/?p=671#comment-4304 Patrizia ~ It's always important to get your pediatrician's advice -- and I'm not a medical doctor. But in general, illness can cause slight (and temporary) regression -- meaning that your little one might be clingy and need you more because he's feeling yucky. And of course he's not going to be demonstrating all his cool tricks if he doesn't feel his best. If he's not back to his usual self soon, have him checked. But hopefully he's already fine :) Patrizia ~

It’s always important to get your pediatrician’s advice — and I’m not a medical doctor. But in general, illness can cause slight (and temporary) regression — meaning that your little one might be clingy and need you more because he’s feeling yucky. And of course he’s not going to be demonstrating all his cool tricks if he doesn’t feel his best. If he’s not back to his usual self soon, have him checked. But hopefully he’s already fine :)

]]> By: Patrizia http://babyshrink.com/2009/08/did-swine-flu-cause-autism-in-my-son.html/comment-page-1#comment-4299 Patrizia Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:08:54 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/?p=671#comment-4299 Hi, my son of nearly 3 yoa suffered high temps for a few days last week with what seemed like a virus and it looks as though he's regressed a bit. Not talking as much, more baby talk, more tantrums and clingyness. Should I get him checked and if so by whom? How do I know whats normal and whats not? Thank you! Hi,

my son of nearly 3 yoa suffered high temps for a few days last week with what seemed like a virus and it looks as though he’s regressed a bit. Not talking as much, more baby talk, more tantrums and clingyness. Should I get him checked and if so by whom? How do I know whats normal and whats not? Thank you!

]]> By: Dr. Heather http://babyshrink.com/2009/08/did-swine-flu-cause-autism-in-my-son.html/comment-page-1#comment-3645 Dr. Heather Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:21:09 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/?p=671#comment-3645 Julie ~ We completely agree about the importance of evaluation whenever there is concern. I think the evaluation process is incredibly helpful. My worry, though, becomes the widespread fears that I encounter due to the kind of experiences many of my readers have had; unfortunately many clinicians too quickly use the term "on the spectrum" and toss around a PDD diagnosis too causally. This results in unnecessary fears for the family, and directs the family in the wrong direction. So my advice is, YES, get your child checked out if there are any concerns. But "buyer beware" -- there are too few clinicians out there who can ACCURATELY determine the presence of true autism symptoms, especially before the age of 3 (or 2). You may get a "diagnosis" that is completely off-base. Julie ~

We completely agree about the importance of evaluation whenever there is concern. I think the evaluation process is incredibly helpful.

My worry, though, becomes the widespread fears that I encounter due to the kind of experiences many of my readers have had; unfortunately many clinicians too quickly use the term “on the spectrum” and toss around a PDD diagnosis too causally. This results in unnecessary fears for the family, and directs the family in the wrong direction.

So my advice is, YES, get your child checked out if there are any concerns. But “buyer beware” — there are too few clinicians out there who can ACCURATELY determine the presence of true autism symptoms, especially before the age of 3 (or 2). You may get a “diagnosis” that is completely off-base.

]]> By: JMM http://babyshrink.com/2009/08/did-swine-flu-cause-autism-in-my-son.html/comment-page-1#comment-3644 JMM Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:26:12 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/?p=671#comment-3644 My daughter has autism. Prior to me noticing her symptoms, she had the stomach flu and the "real" seven day flu twice in 6 weeks. I can look back and see mild symptoms prior to this but she regressed BAD during these 6 weeks. She was able to clap prior to sickness and couldn't even physical put her hands together after. She lost most of her eye contact and response to her name. Please do not ignore your instincts. I had therapists even tell me that my daughter just had "quirks" and not autism. I think it is because she was so young. She continued to develop more noticable symptoms as she got older. She has been diagnosed with moderate autism by 2 physicians 6 months after this time frame. Get your child checked out. It's better to overreact than do nothing. My daughter has autism. Prior to me noticing her symptoms, she had the stomach flu and the “real” seven day flu twice in 6 weeks. I can look back and see mild symptoms prior to this but she regressed BAD during these 6 weeks. She was able to clap prior to sickness and couldn’t even physical put her hands together after. She lost most of her eye contact and response to her name. Please do not ignore your instincts. I had therapists even tell me that my daughter just had “quirks” and not autism. I think it is because she was so young. She continued to develop more noticable symptoms as she got older. She has been diagnosed with moderate autism by 2 physicians 6 months after this time frame. Get your child checked out. It’s better to overreact than do nothing.

]]> By: M.S. http://babyshrink.com/2009/08/did-swine-flu-cause-autism-in-my-son.html/comment-page-1#comment-3535 M.S. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:08:59 +0000 http://babyshrink.com/?p=671#comment-3535 My son was diagnosed with mild autism at 1 and 1/2 years of age and I am incredibly grateful to the professionals who did not ignore my early concerns. Thanks to an early diagnosis, my son was able to recieve early therapy which has made a huge difference. Today at 3 1/2 years old, most peopke do not even realize that he was diagnosed with autism. I strongly encourage you to go with your gut instincts and seek a professional in the field childhood development or neurology to evaluate your child. I found the book "Could It Be Autism" very helpful in addressing my initail concerns. There is also a site called first signs that provides a checklist of early warning signs. Not resonding to his name was also one of my son's early signs. I hope that your son does not receive an autism diagnosis, but if he does early treatment is key. My son was diagnosed with mild autism at 1 and 1/2 years of age and I am incredibly grateful to the professionals who did not ignore my early concerns. Thanks to an early diagnosis, my son was able to recieve early therapy which has made a huge difference. Today at 3 1/2 years old, most peopke do not even realize that he was diagnosed with autism. I strongly encourage you to go with your gut instincts and seek a professional in the field childhood development or neurology to evaluate your child. I found the book “Could It Be Autism” very helpful in addressing my initail concerns. There is also a site called first signs that provides a checklist of early warning signs. Not resonding to his name was also one of my son’s early signs. I hope that your son does not receive an autism diagnosis, but if he does early treatment is key.

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