Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy

I ran across two interesting news bits today that I wanted to share.

Ped Med: Timing key to treating autism
An excerpt:

When it comes to treating autism, timing is everything, or at least a major
part, specialists say. Children with the neurodevelopmental disorder must be
taught what comes naturally to their peers, and while the brain is still pliable
enough to absorb the lesson, experts said. Because the immature nervous system
has a great deal of plasticity, many neuroscientists think early treatment may
enrich neural growth.

Parents Should Look for Autism Signs Early
An excerpt:

Doctors at Maryland’s Kennedy Krieger Institute, one of the country’s
leading autism centers, say they can now identify symptoms in children
younger than ever before.

These two articles are definitely related and of extreme importance in my opinion. The earlier autism is diagnosed, the earlier interventions specific to autism can start, and the chances of a better outcome. My daughter did not benefit from any Early Intervention services and that is partially my fault and partially the family doctor’s fault. The family doctor admittedly didn’t know much about developmental issues and felt that she was fine and would eventually catch up. It is my fault because I switched from a pediatric practice to a family practice early on in my child’s lives. I have since switched back to a pediatric practice for my children.

My daughter didn’t start receiving services until she was 2 years and 10 months of age and started at a developmental preschool run through the local school district. She has come a long way in the past five months and is starting to communicate quite well for which we are all thankful. It makes me wonder where she’d be had we started early intervention at 18 months or two years of age. I can’t get back that lost time so I don’t spend much time dwelling on it but everyone now and then I do think ‘what if’?