Dual diagnosis: Down Syndrome and Autism...

[Alice]

Hi to all!

We took Luke for a test for Autism and it came back positive... Oh, well now we have dual diagnosis: Down Syndrome and Autism... Any suggestions?
I am a little bit sad today...

BTW, Luke is doing fine - very smart (read his favorite books Dr. Souse, watch his cartoons, play with other toys and listen to the music). One problem is still here - speech...
As soon as we'll get a medicate - Luke will have his speech device. It'll help a lot with communication. When we had that device for one weekend, we were amazed how much Luke knows and has to tell us... ;D

[sd112170]

HUGS!!! I will be praying for you guys!!

[Ericsmomma]

Alice,
Eric has been diagnosed as being on the Autistic Spectrum...PDD (pervasive development disorder). We saw Dr. Capone at Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore. We aren't sure what direction we are going at this moment. Dr. Capone suggested trying medication (Risperadol), but we aren't sure about this. Dr. Capone gave us alot of literature about other ways to manage alot of Eric's behaviors. Its kind of overwhelming right now. But I'm glad I finally got a diagnosis. Eric isn't like most kids with Down Syndrome. There was definetly more going on...so I'm glad we pursued this. Now we have to figure out whats best for Eric. And I understand the "sadness" you are feeling. I had the same reaction....even thought I was relieved to have the diagnosis. It gets better....Good Luck!

[Emilysmom]

Alice,
As Dolly said, I'm sure this is a bit overwhelming for you and I'm sorry. I'm eager to hear how it goes with the speech device. I hope that works well for Luke!!
Hugs to you,
Susan

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

[wrblack]

Yep. BTDT. Laying an incurable condition on top of an incurable condition is not a warm, happy, fuzzy feeling moment. But, two things. Luke is still the same Luke he was before he picked up another label. And, though there is not a straightforward, simple cure for either Ds or autism, there are, as we all know, treatment and management programs that help a lot.
Oh, and a third thing, sounds like Luke is doing great with his communication device.
If you haven't already, maybe it's time to check out the Ds-Autism group,
groups.yahoo.com/group/ds-autism/
Some good people and good resources over there.
Regards,
Bob

[CC]

Christopher also has the Dual DX.

Speech has and continues to be his biggest challenge BUT he still even now at 16 improves ;D

The link Bob shared is a GREAT site.

Just thought I would share this if your interested ...

www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_misc.jsp?pid=2143&bl=1

CC ~

[laurasnowbird]

I'm sorry Alice, it's always hard having your fears confirmed. The good news is that, if anything, it should make Luke eligible for more services, not less. And now that you know better what you're dealing with, you can make appropriate plans.

Thanks for posting that link, CC. I was pretty interested in this information:

"This happens when a child is determined to be eligible for special education services under the label of mental retardation. When their language abilities reach a level that is seen as equal to their level of cognitive skill, they are often discharged from service, based on reports that they have reached their communicative potential."

Ethan's school recently asked to perform an IQ test on him as part of the yearly evals. We are allowing the other tests, but declining IQ because in Michigan he doesn't need to reestablish eligility for special education because he qualified once as having DS, which doesn't go away, LOL! We were concerned that the test might be misused, and this was a potential for misuse that had never even occurred to me!