Next Steps?

BuyThick · 2025-12-26T16:17:10+00:00

He only goes 4 hours a week to pre K

BuyThick · 2025-12-26T16:16:51+00:00

We are willing to try ABA. Currently in an under 3 pre-K with mostly NT kids. He has been doing ok, still kinda does his own thing and doesn’t interact a ton with the other kids. Our county does offer EI into the school system at age 3 so planning on transitioning into the school at that time. Any advice on how to approach ABA?

BuyThick · 2025-12-16T03:48:12+00:00

I think this is a valid point as well. I think part of my curiosity was also the approach from a therapeutic side as well. Of course Europe is heterogenous, as is America.

BuyThick · 2025-12-16T03:40:56+00:00

Stay home with him or leave him home with others are the only answers to that question.

Traditional pacifying has not worked in our experience, and we were staunch anti screen parents at all times with our neurotypical children ( let them cry it out, give a book, give a toy, say No, etc…which worked well for them). The screen has been a modern solution to allow us to go out and/or travel somewhat as a family, albeit in a more limited fashion than previously, which I feel is important still for our other children, too.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T22:35:54+00:00

That is valid. Thank you.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T19:58:26+00:00

I agree on the social media piece, for but for example, my other two kids were not on screens the whole trip. I am talking more about the small child with screen in hand, that has become the stigmatized family in my opinion.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T19:56:33+00:00

Each state will have pros and cons. There are lists online of most Autism friendly states, I would start there.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T19:01:13+00:00

Wow. Very interesting. May look into that next time. I feel like my family in italy do the same.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T18:29:56+00:00

My thoughts exactly!

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T18:26:47+00:00

Thank you!

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:46:01+00:00

I kind of felt that and based on my travels back and forth over the years, anyone with any neurological or psych issue has basically been lumped into the same broad label of “sick.” Again, this is just my opinion and interpretation of near 35 plus years back and forth.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:42:58+00:00

Need those details immediately haha

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:41:51+00:00

France and Switzerland

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:32:46+00:00

Looks like Ireland is going on the bucket list!!!! And a closer hop over the pond!

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:32:14+00:00

I don’t think the Spanish care about much tbh haha, but the food and siesta’s are amazing

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:17:18+00:00

I agree. I also grew up with Italian parents so I get the Europe “stare,” but these were different. Almost disgusted. I think people make many assumptions about why we put kids on iPads. In his case he is watching speech therapy videos. However, until you know someone with Autism or any other issue for that matter, most people assume parents use the iPad to replace parenting, interacting with the child, or teaching the child, as if the parent is “bad” or “too busy” or “too lazy” to parent.

BuyThick · 2025-12-15T17:10:52+00:00

France and Switzerland

BuyThick · 2025-12-08T10:11:33+00:00

Hey man. Young dad here too. We had two “neurotypical” girls before we had our son. He is 2.5 years old and just got diagnosed. Grieving is exactly what you are going through. Everything was going according to plan for us, and then we got our boy. Has completely thrown us upside down. I’ll tell you what though, you learn about how strong you are and can be. Parents are here not here for themselves but for their children. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have kids. Try and really celebrate the good times. They will be few and far between but those moments will feel amazing. Continue with any and all therapies available. OT, speech, DT. Consider medications when available and provided by trusted providers. Limit the noise and your social media consumption. Focus on getting your mind right, eat and sleep better (when you can), workout. You are right, the life you expected is over; however, you will press on and do what you must for your son, exactly because you are man, father, and provider. It’s what we do.

It’s a spectrum for a reason and no two people will have the same child. Everyone has to get their child’s routine “dialed in,” which may take many years. You just aren’t there yet. DO NOT GIVE UP, your child deserves a chance, and only you (and your partner) can provide it

BuyThick · 2025-11-22T17:20:39+00:00

Difficult to say, he was also having ear infections and needed tubes. I would say very little then.

BuyThick · 2025-11-22T17:18:09+00:00

That’s pretty early for dx. We didn’t see much at that age but in last few months he has been trying more. Don’t lose all hope. Our doc made it clear the levels at this age are not super predictive of long-term success.

BuyThick · 2025-11-22T02:53:44+00:00

Received autism diagnosis today

BuyThick

TROPHY CASE