This family has one 5 year old with PDD a 18 month old who can't sit up and rocks back and forth while on the floor, Dad wants him evaluated, but also has a 3 year old who has deffinate signs of autism too. Dad thinks he's a genious bacause he is so drilled. How can we get Dad to see the light?
2006-10-14 09:54:20 · 10 answers · asked by angelica 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
Try putting it to him like this since , since the other two do and seem to have autism It is a precautionary thing to have the middle child evaluated too. explain that there are various degrees of autism and that some people w/ as are brilliant. advise him that it is more likely for his middle child to have autism because his siblings do than some one who's siblings don't. As a parent of autistic children he should understand how important early intervention is. If all else fails ask him this. If there were even the slightest chance that his child had a life threatening disease like cancer he would have the child tested wouldn't he ? the eval is just a test If the child doesn't have autism what will it hurt?
2006-10-14 17:10:06 · answer #1 · answered by joann p 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you qualified enough to make the judgment that that child is "PDD?" That is a term that shouldn't be used lightly, especially when speaking about somebody else's kids. If the child isn't having any learning difficulties or problems making friends with other children, then why bother? In general, the family's quality of life is still good. A parent's decision to have their child(ren) evaluated should be one of their own or should come from the professional evaluating the other child - it shouldn't stem from the suspicions of a family friend or neighbor.
2006-10-15 05:51:15 · answer #2 · answered by Sam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard for some parents (and often times extremely hard for fathers) to admit there may be something wrong with thier child. This family seems to have been hit with this challange more than once and Dad may just be too overwhelmed by the oldest and the youngest to be able to see (or even admit) there is something worng with the middle child. This is a tough situation, but certainly one that must be handled.
My first thought would be to talk to the mother. If she is aware of the issue, than she is really the one who should try to broach the subject, at least initially. If she can't or won't , then it is time to try another tactit.
You don't mention your relationship with the family...teacher, friend, relative, neighbor. If you are in any sort of official position with one or more of the children (teacher, social worker, therapist, nurse) you can set up an appointment with both parents and out line your concerns. Have a list of agencies and providers they can contact to begin the testing process. Be sure to schedule a follow up meeting and offer the help them in any way you can.
If your relationship if more personal (a relative or family friend) this will be a bit more difficult. Find a time to sit alone with the father, having the mother around if it is possible. Gently tell him you have concerns about the middle child. Be able to identify individual concerns and give examples of things that may have happened when you were both there. Do not mention the word autism,aspergers or give your fears any sort of "official" name. These may simply push the man into a defensive position from which you won't be able to get him out of. Tell him you know this has to be scarey for him, but point out how testing and getting services has helped his oldest child (again, if that applies). Have the number for the local child find office there for him (the three year old is eligable to be tested, at no cost to the parents, through the public schools) and offer to help make the appointments, watch the other children so they can go, etc. If possible, call the office ahead of time and see if you can get information brochures and the forms sent to you. Be gentle, be patient but be firm and explain that it is better to have testing done and find out there really is no issue than to wait. Emphasize how kids do much better when services are started as soon as possible.
In the end, you can't force him to do anything. If, after all of this he still refuses, then you must consider calling in child services. If he is refusing to have any testing or treatment for the middle child who, from what you write, seems to have physical disabilities as well as developmental, they should respond to a report of neglect. In doing so, be sure to mention the needs of all three children seem to be going unaddressed. This route will certainly lead to a more official sit down which the father may have a harder time ignoring, as well as have scheduled and mandated follow ups.
This is going to be a tough thing to handle. But these kids clearly need someone to be their advocate and you clearly care about them enough to try and help. Stay focused, get as much information as you can and do what you feel you must in the end. Good luck.
2006-10-14 14:37:39 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to him about it. Come prepared. He may need to believe that one child is superior given the developmental disabilities of the other two children. Bring literature with you which describes autism in lay terms. You could also bring this up with the person doing the evaluation of the other child. Perhaps you could suggest to him that he find out how high the IQ of the genius is so he can appropriately plan for this child as well.
2006-10-14 12:34:33 · answer #4 · answered by concernedinwv 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a shame you don't say what your relationship is with this family.
What about the mom? Would she accept suggestion from you?
Don't know what you mean by 'drilled' or by 'PDD' -- understanding those terms would also help, possibly.
2006-10-14 13:56:20 · answer #5 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not mention that since one child is being evaluated, they should check the other one, too. 3 kids with problems? That's really sad.
2006-10-14 10:03:16 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
preschools and elementary schools should be able to do evaluations on the child in the school. then they can bring it to the parents attention. plus i'm sure the doctor would have noticed something wrong and would have told the parents and maybe they are just in denial
2006-10-14 10:34:22 · answer #7 · answered by Blu 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dothey offer Parents as teachers through your local school district? They do evaulations in my area from birth to kndg. Or you could try telling him that if his son is really smart that he could receive free preschooling. Kids that are diagnosed with Autism in my state get Free schooling.
2006-10-14 10:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by 9929 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Call Child Services... or have an intervention with a family counselor.
2006-10-14 10:03:13 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a doctor your self
2006-10-14 09:57:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋