Quinn Renee...18 Months!

A girl on the move.  This picture describes Quinn at this point in her life.


Quinn Renee your are a girl with a mission.  You are sassy, bossy (even though you have no words), on the go, unpredictable, adorable and a trouble-maker.  You have a personality even though you have no official words.  Of course mama does nothing but worry about you!!

Weight:  20lbs and WE could not have been more excited about this.  You are catching up on the growth chart and we LOVE to see you make progress with eating!!

Height: 31 1/2inches and growing

Words:  We are working very hard with you on make sounds for More and Milk.  You know when you want your milk and you head over to the fridge and sign "more!"  Most of the time you shout MMMM until we come and give you a sippy of milk.  All of your therapist are working very hard to help you learn how to talk.

Sleeping Patterns:  Not even sure I want to comment seeing that you are NEVER consistent in how you sleep.  Sometimes we can get you to sleep through the nights with no problems, then you shock us and your up all hours of the night.  The only thing that I can say is consistent is your one nap a day BUT even then you choose not to take a long one.

Mommies Concerns:  My little girl is 18 months!  In other words it is also time for us to have you evaluated for Autism Spectrum Disorder.  By the numbers you have a 20% chance of being Autistic.  The fact that you are non-verbal at this age is a red flag.  As daddy would say I watch you like a hawk and check to see what other red flags you may have.  Quinn please know that no matter what the final diagnoses is we will always love and care for you.  Being Autistic would not change anything for you.  It may add a few hurdles for you to jump, run, and climb through but you have an amazing support system that will be there for you every step of the way.

Autistic Evaluation:  Quinn had a pre-screening a couple of weeks ago.  She does show signs of having Autism Spectrum Disorder but cannot be confirmed until she is 2.  We will give her 6 more months to continue to develop before they re-evaluate and diagnose (if need be).  Her warning signs of ASD are: non-verbal, weak eye contact and interaction with adults at times and a few possible repetitive behaviors.  With this warning Quinn's therapies have been changed accordingly.  She will now receive speech 2x a week, Developmental Therapy 1x a week and will continue weekly OT. 

As a mother I ran the gauntlet of emotions on her evaluation day.  No matter what the outcome is it is still difficult to hear that something may be wrong with your baby.  You already worry enough about your kids this is just an added worry.  At times it is difficult to hear what other kids her age are doing, saying, and developing quicker.  You hate to compare but its plastered everywhere for you to see.  Social media can be an awesome thing and it can break you apart.  The number one thing I want my children to understand is that I would NEVER trade them for anyone else.   They were a gift from God and I will love them no matter what.  Autistic or not they are my babies and I will help them succeed in life the best that I can.