An overview of our Autism Journey.

Some say that you cant know early on ... I knew Merida was different- I just was unsure of what that difference was.Let's start from the beginning- Merida was born full term, no complications- just a little bit of Jaundice. She had an issue keeping weight on- it was so hard to feed her- it felt like it was something we were doing constantly- which now looking back was an indication she had autism (in conjunction with other behaviors). She met her milestones early on: said words like mama, dada, puppy, please, more, and thank you right around 1, but knew there was something else going on.

I can't tell you how many people (friends, family, healthcare providers) told me I was

"over thinking it" she was just "gong at her own pace" and "don't compare her to others."

And while that may have all been true- I just knew something was not typical. I knew she didn't:

• react to her name

• didn't point things out

• didn't play with toys in your typical fashion

• did things in a repetitive way

• was clicking making noises with her mouth repetitively

• walked on. her tip toes

• did not like to make eye contact

• loved to jump non stop

• loved compression

• terrible sleeper

• and her behavior was nothing I understood- it wasn't what I knew to be tantrums- they were more- but something I didn't know how to navigate.

She had a smaller head than what was typical (under 3%) but I had to push for other testing- which came back "normal".

Covid happened when things were starting to digress so her Doctor said to wait ( this was around 20 months- and then at her 2 year appointment I told her I was sure I wanted her to make the call for intervention. They evaluated her in October 2020 via zoom- and it was one of the most heartbreaking and eye opening things I ever had to go through.

I thought they would give me answers- but this was just an evaluation to get services - so they couldn't say what was "wrong" just that she was severe in a lot of categories based on what they evaluated.

We then got assigned OT and speech both up to 2 days a week. We started in December and Merida would not respond over zoom. very well- and did not like me being the "in person" therapist relaying what they wanted from her.

She turned 3 the following summer and in her CSE meeting with the school district all her therapists recommended she needed more support.

She then started in the Fall 2021 with special Education PreK in an 8:3:1. She received OT, speech and then they added PT in the spring. Fall 2021( October 12) Merida was finally seen for her appointment- (this took almost a year of process) at the pediatric behavioral office. She was officially diagnosed with Autism and pre- hyperkinesis (ADHD).

She continued reduced services at her PreK school for summer 2022 and then went again in Fall 2022-Summer 2023.

She now just started Kindergarten and has her special education class (same 8:3:1)within the elementary school.