Recently, I read a great article by a woman who was addressing the question of the cause of autism in her child. Her child was born with it, and she doesn’t go over the why’s. I have said this before that I don’t know what caused Phoebe’s autism. Maybe you can decide…
Here’s the breakdown of the things I did while pregnant, and for her as a baby and in toddler years:
- I had a normal pregnancy. I did not take drugs, or drink alcohol.
- I did not paint during pregnancy. (Without a mask)
- Phoebe was born via C-Section, when I failed to progress during labor. She was not in any distress.
- Phoebe’s breathing was faster than what it should be at birth and she was placed in the NICU.
- Phoebe never stopped breathing, and was pink color at birth. (checked the records on that)
- Phoebe took Prednisone steroid as an infant to help her lungs as she inhaled fluid on her way out.
- Phoebe was nursed, and given baby formula as an infant.
- I made my own natural baby food by grinding it myself. I also used store bought.
- I didn’t give my baby juice, unless it was watered down. She drank tons of water.
- Phoebe drank 2% milk and whole milk. Sometimes organic, sometimes not.
- Phoebe never met her milestones. She didn’t sit up until 9 months. Didn’t roll over until 6 months. And, never put weight on her legs. (Poor muscle tone)
- Phoebe got bronchitis at 8 months. She was put on breathing treatments, and another steroid.
- Phoebe was diagnosed with Viral induced asthma, and with every sniffle from a cold, she was placed on breathing treatments. She was on treatments at least 2 times a month until she was 3.
- Phoebe got RSV when she was 11 months and as hospitalized overnight. She was given another steroid.
- Phoebe never crawled. She scooted on her butt starting at around 12 months.
- Phoebe didn’t walk until she was nearly 2.
- Phoebe’s speech was poor and I had her evaluated for speech services at 3.
- Phoebe received speech therapy 3 times a week starting at age 3 1/2, and was seen 2 times a week at the developmentally delayed preschool at Beaumont Hospital.
- At 4, she started OT for poor muscle tone, and started in regular pre-school.
- Phoebe ate normal food, and was always eating constantly. She was never full. She ate tons of fruit, and vegetables.
- We lived in a 1950’s house with lead paint that had been painted over. We had it tested, and it was fine.
- Phoebe did not chew on the window sills as asked by the doctors.
- Our house was located in a previously noted “swamp land.”
I can go on, but I think you get the idea. You decide….what caused her autism? I have been over it in my mind 1000 times. Was she born with it? Did I give her something that caused it? (Noted here that I had a second child–did same types of things and he does not have autism).
It doesn’t matter. She is Phoebe. She has autism. We move forward and make progress. Some days are good, and some days are really, really bad.
This is autism after all…its unpredictable, and predictable all in one day.
Phoebe ASD World 