I just found out that my 19 month old has this variation (through a chromosome microarray). There seems to be more information related to 16p11.2 deletion over the duplication. Anyone else's child have this? Can I hear from your experiences? We are slated to see a geneticist in September. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone
We are at the very beginning of our journey... Since testing takes time, I wanted to be proactive and do as much as I can on my own and with help of our family and friends. How do I introduce them to the issue? How do I ask for appropriate help and support? What is the right thing to say and what is not? Is it ok to ask for monetary help (costs of therapy, dietary supplements, therapeutic accessories, etc) if yes, how to do so in a delicate manner
Thank you for all of your… read more

My 7-year-old autistic son is high-functioning and goes to grade 1 in a regular school and regular class. He has some challenges with paying attention, sitting, and following some rules but he is doing well academically. His teacher has told us we should consider sending him to special classes in other schools. We feel that the teacher's advice is mostly for her comfort rather than the benefit of our child. Any advice on what should be our strategy toward this problem?

Just back from the neurologist.. My sons laughing may be a sign of seizure, gelastic seizure, anyone ASD kids have this diagnosis? How do you help them before we are fully diagnosed? Any info on it would be great, thank you

I am a mother of a 2.5 yr old boy that everyone I've talked to or asked has agreed they think he has autism, including his doctor. We have been waiting almost a year just to get an appointment from the specialist to get him diagnosed. He is nonverbal and in language classes and help me grow program but nothing specifically to help him with his autistic signs because he hasn't been diagnosed yet. Is there anything else I can do to get him help sooner or even a diagnosis sooner then the year to… read more

My daughter (7 years old) already has an ASD diagnosis through our Regional Center. She received it years ago after already having received nearly two years of related services. She is what many would term "high-functioning" as she's mainstreamed at school with only pull out services for speech. This next school year she will also be pulled out for social behavior type classes.

I know anxiety can go hand-in-hand with ASD. More and more of her behaviors appear to me to be in response to… read more

I work in early childhood education and while we can’t diagnose we can screen and refer. I did our screenings on my daughter and with the results consulted for a screening and have been placed on a wait list. Unfortunately in our area the wait list is almost 2 years long. I am struggling to get support from those around us as it’s hard for them to believe she would have autism. My parents especially, I know it’s contributing to outdated views. Any advice?

Our insurance doesn’t provide an extension authorization for ABA services without an updated assessment for ASD.