From Yahoo News this morning...

Even reading this, if we had been sent for an "early screening," I don't think William's diagnosis would have come until after the age of 3, but I could be wrong. This is a step in the right direction, if pediatricians heed this advice.


Pediatricians urge autism screening
By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer 21 minutes ago
CHICAGO - The country's leading pediatricians group is making its strongest push yet to have all children screened for autism twice by age 2, warning of symptoms such as babies who don't babble at 9 months and 1-year-olds who don't point to toys.
The advice is meant to help both parents and doctors spot autism sooner. There is no cure for the disorder, but experts say that early therapy can lessen its severity.
Symptoms to watch for and the call for early screening come in two new reports. They are being released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday at its annual meeting in San Francisco and will appear in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics and on the group's Web site — http://www.aap.org/.
The reports list numerous warning signs, such as a 4-month-old not smiling at the sound of Mom or Dad's voice, or the loss of language or social skills at any age.
Experts say one in 150 U.S. children have the troubling developmental disorder.
"Parents come into your office now saying 'I'm worried about autism.' Ten years ago, they didn't know what it was," said Dr. Chris Johnson of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She co-authored the reports.
The academy's renewed effort reflects growing awareness since its first autism guidelines in 2001. A 2006 policy statement urged autism screening for all children at their regular doctor visits at age 18 months and 24 months.
The authors caution that not all children who display a few of these symptoms are autistic and they said parents shouldn't overreact to quirky behavior.
Just because a child likes to line up toy cars or has temper tantrums "doesn't mean you need to have concern, if they're also interacting socially and also pretending with toys and communicating well," said co-author Dr. Scott Myers, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician in Danville, Pa.
"With awareness comes concern when there doesn't always need to be," he said. "These resources will help educate the reader as to which things you really need to be concerned about."
Another educational tool, a Web site that debuted in mid-October, offers dozens of video clips of autistic kids contrasted with unaffected children's behavior. That Web site — http://www.autismspeaks.org/ — is sponsored by two nonprofit advocacy groups: Autism Speaks and First Signs. They hope the site will promote early diagnosis and treatment to help children with autism lead more normal lives.
The two new reports say children with suspected autism should start treatment even before a formal diagnosis. They also warn parents about the special diets and alternative treatments endorsed by celebrities, saying there's no proof those work.
Recommended treatment should include at least 25 hours a week of intensive behavior-based therapy, including educational activities and speech therapy, according to the reports. They list several specific approaches that have been shown to help.
For very young children, therapy typically involves fun activities, such as bouncing balls back and forth or sharing toys to develop social skills; there is repeated praise for eye contact and other behavior autistic children often avoid.
Mary Grace Mauney, an 18-year-old high school senior from Lilburn, Ga., has a mild form of autism that wasn't diagnosed until she was 9.
As a young girl, she didn't smile, spoke in a very formal manner and began to repeat the last word or syllable of her sentences. She was prone to intense tantrums, but only outside school. There, she excelled and was in gifted classes.
"I took her to a therapist and they said she was just very sensitive and very intense and very creative," said her mother, Maureen, 54.
Pediatricians should send such children for "early intervention as soon as you even think there's a problem," Johnson said.
Dr. Ruby Roy, a pediatrician with Loyola University Medical Center, who treats at least 20 autistic children, applauded the reports.
"This is a disorder that is often missed, especially when it's mild, and the mild kids are the ones ... who can be helped the most," Roy said.
Dr. Dirk Steinert, who treats children and adults at Columbia St. Mary's clinic in suburban Milwaukee, said the push for early autism screening is important — but that it's tough to squeeze it into a child's regular wellness checkup.
Some pediatricians have tried scheduling a visit just to check for developmental problems, when children are 2 1/2. The problem is that insurance doesn't always cover these extra visits, Steinert said.

Grant me strength

Last night I had the opportunity to catch the premiere of "Dan in Real Life" starring Steve Carrell. Good movie! But here's the thing, in it, I saw a very real glimpse into my future, and it frightened me-immensely! If you see it, and you know anything about my daughter, I dare you to tell me there isn't a striking attitude resemblence between the her and the middle daughter in the movie. You know you're gut instinct about such things is right when the movie character turns to her father and screams, "YOU ARE A MURDERER OF LOVE!" and both of your sisters turn to you and say, "Oh, that's Evie right there!"

Heaven help me. I'm gonna need it.

My special gifts

I've come to realize over the years that no one in this world can make me laugh harder than my own children can. On an almost daily basis, they do or say something that either makes me laugh out loud, or forces me to subdue a giggle because to do so might condone, or even encourage, less-than-desirable behavior.

Take this conversation, for instance, as an example for both:

Evie, having just watch a commercial about a fitness club or Nutri-system or something similar, says, "If you exercise, then you get skinny, right?"
I said, "Well, yes, kind of...not right away...you have to keep doing it."
She whips her head my direction, "YOU need to exercise then."
(Stiffled laughter because, while funny AND true, she needs to be taught that such statements are rude.)
William chimes in, as matter-of-fact as you can get, "But if you exercise and you don't get skinny, that means you're about to have a baby."
LAUGHED OUT LOUD.

What's your name?

I saw this on another blog and decided to play along :)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet, current car) Snuggles Windstar
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream, favorite cookie) Mint Chocolate Chip Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR FLY “GUY/GIRL” NAME: (first initial first name, first 3 letters last name) C-WHI
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Anne Columbus
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters last name, first 2 letters first name) WHICY
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink and add” the”) The Orange Iced Tea
8. NASCAR NAME: (first names of your grandfathers) Charles Marion
9. STRIPPER NAME: (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Happy Snickers
10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s and father’s middle names) Jo Anthony

Testing her boundaries...

When I signed on for this whole parenting thing, I *KNEW* there would be dumb arguments and irrational temper tantrums. What I didn't anticipate was over 2 hours of being screamed at and being called a BIG! FAT! MEANIE!! What, you wonder, could cause such a reaction? Surely something heinous and completely without justification, right? Well, brace yourself 'cause here it comes...I suggested she eat an apple instead of pudding for her snack. AHHH! Such a demon I am, so horrible a parent, I should never be allowed to be in the presence of children again!!

Though the majority of the ordeal took place within the confines of her room, she did manage to sneak in the following here and there while in my vacinity: She slapped me, and bit me. She mooned me (that was one of those moments where you try VERY hard not to laugh). She threatened to scribble all over my "papers" with red marker (I was making a card). She walked on the back of the couch while mocking, "look at me, I'm on climbing on the furniture!" She exclaimed repeatedly that I was going to give her what she wants, or she was just going to go take it.

Who knew that pudding was so powerful? I'll have to check the box next time and see just what Jell-O is putting into their packages.