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(Fun Sensory Play) Diagnosis: Autism – with Chantal Lavergne

    Getting an autism diagnosis is heart-breaking, but it’s not the end. In many respects, it’s just the beginning. And a diagnosis can often mark a pivotal moment in any mother’s life: before the diagnosis… and after the diagnosis. Join us today as two mothers of autistic children share their struggles, their trials, and their hope.

    Learn more about what signs to look out for and what to do next. Know why you should never disregard some delays in your child’s milestones. Every child is different but every mother is the same – we would do everything to help our child succeed in life. This episode is all about how you can do that even for a child with autism. It’s a challenging ride – but not impossible!

    Autism Changes a Mother’s Life

    Motherhood is not easy. This is a fact that everybody agrees with. But how different does motherhood become when you are raising a child with autism?

    Chantal and I are both mothers of a child with a diagnosis. In the beginning, it is a very confusing and difficult path to start to walk in. But once you embrace what your child truly needs, the path can ease up a bit.

    Suspecting Autism? See the Signs!

    The key is to observe your child’s milestones. Ask for help even if you feel unsure about what you see. We may not be correct all the time as we are not experts, but there are definitely warning signs to look out for.

    Delayed milestones

    A milestone checklist is critical. In there, you would see if your child is supposed to be walking, crawling, or pricking things at a certain timeline. 

    If you see that your child is behind where she is supposed to be, make sure to constantly observe that milestone and see if it comes up within three to six months. If progress is still not developing, it could be a big, bold warning sign.

    Overly sensitive

    From being sensitive to lights up to hating car rides all the time, you have to observe every single activity. If there is an overwhelmed reaction over simple things, this is a sign that there’s more to just seeing an upset child.

    Less smiling

    If you find that your child rarely smiles and has more blank stares than usual, you might need to take it seriously. 

    The Earlier, the Better

    It is understandable why parents do not want to see the signs, but it is crucial to know if your child needs help. Many children suffer in silence just because getting an evaluation has never been an option for parents. 

    Early intervention is always the key to everything. With persistence and the help of your pediatrician, you can make your child’s life easier. A late diagnosis will only mean a harder time for both the child and the parent.

    Her Own Challenge Turned Out to Be a Guide for Others

    With a child diagnosed with sensory processing disorder at the early age of 23 months, Chantal has faced many challenges to become the mother she needs to be. Just like any mother who has a child with autism, she also does therapy, reads books, and does so many things to help her daughter progress.

    Chantal sees fantastic improvements with the aid of play-based therapy, which is exactly what her business, “Fun Sensory Play,” is all about! Although keeping up isn’t as easy as many people think, moms like Chantal continually try to make life easier and better for children with autism.

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