Autism Evaluation for a 2 Year Old Girl- Toddler with Autism

Tessie, our two year old, already has a diagnosis of autism, but every year our insurance requires her to be reevaluated to keep going to her inclusive school with therapy and OT and Speech therapies, and so today we braved the cold weather to go to another autism evaluation where a psychologist administered an ADOS to see if she still qualified for the program that she's in. While I was fairly confident of the result of the evaluation, and have been through this five times with Maggie, our eight year old who is on the spectrum, it's always a little nerve wracking waiting for the results, since all her therapies and education depend on it!
My Camera (and the bundle I got): amzn.to/2qAzu3L
Welcome to Someday I'll Sleep, formerly Coffee and Cupcakes! We post family vlogs daily, about our lives and because we have two daughters on the spectrum we post quite a bit about autism! You'll get glimpses of what's going on at the moment in our lives, usually in a little town in Michigan, or in the city that Paul works in and where we have about a million therapy sessions each week.
Paul and Cammie (the dad and mom at Coffee and Cupcakes) have 5 children. Sadie is 10, Maggie is 8, Patrick is 5, James is 3, and Tessie is now 2!
To Watch Our Last Video: Day in the Life of a Special Needs Mom: • Day in the Life of a S...
➡️ Family Instagram: @SomedaySleep
➡️ Cammie's Instagram: @CammieDiane
➡️ Twitter: @CammieDiane
➡️ Facebook: / cammiediane
➡️ Cammie's Blog: www.cammiediane.com
➡️ Business inquiries: [e-mail]
If you'd like to help us translate and transcribe our videos we would appreciate it so very much! With 5 kids and lots of therapy appointments Cammie doesn't have very much time left over after she finishes editing videos so transcribing is slow going around here! kzbin.info_cs_p...
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

[@ericaanderson3762]

Thank you so much for sharing. I see a lot of my daughter in yours. We are scheduled for an evaluation soon. I was in denial. But because of your shares I am realizing the right thing to do. So thankful.

[@martinemikita9281]

MY GOD, She is so darn CUTE!!

[@sandralane1923]

Love seeing the kids when they were young.

[@sofiagarcia5725]

She is doing so well, congrats

[@Autmazing]

Thank you so much! ❤️️

[@user-gv3kk4ts9b]

She's so good with the shape sorter. My 18 month old still couldn't do it at all.

[@Autmazing]

It has always been one of her favorite activities!

[@mollymartinez83]

I just asked for a referral for my daughter. She is two years old and she exhibits alot of the same actions. If she is diagnosed then I have to be her number one advocate even though it breaks my heart. I thank you for putting out this video.

[@Hiya799]

Updates?

[@JesusChrist-qf2wo]

School didn't cancel for me, sadly. The roads were terrible though and my driveway was practically an ice skating rink. So glad to go on this journey with you guys! Much love. ❤️️😊

[@Autmazing]

It's so scary when it's icy like that. It's supposed to get really warm here now (up to like 40 or 50) and I'm hoping that everything melts and maybe dries out too so that it doesn't all freeze again, otherwise it's going to be super slick when it's gets cold because we have so much snow that's about to melt. And I'm so glad that you're here too! ❤️

[@alanaalbarado2357]

@@Autmazing - I realize you spoke about the weather 2yrs ago in your reply and I just read it and I wanted to say I love how you said ‘it’s supposed to get warm 40/50 degrees’ and I was thinking “gosh👀 I wish the temps where I live in the Deep South would get down to those temps as our high” lol, we’re lucky to get those temps as a low for a day or two and that’s our entire winter season😂😂 💛💙💚

[@themysticastronaut5500]

Having to get them rediagnosed every year would be so anxiety provoking. I am glad everything went well. Thanks for sharing!

[@Autmazing]

Definitely! Thankfully going through it so many times now with Maggie has made it easier. The first couple times I went through it with Maggie I was so nervous that they were about to take everything away!

[@maxine5859]

Wow. I'm in the UK and I'm horrified that you have to get the diagnosis confirmed every year. I thought it was bad enough that we have our benefits reviewed for lifelong conditions. Our NHS isn't functioning well but man am I grateful for it. I wish everyone could have free health care 😔

[@skateranddancer]

In my state they only legally require autism care be provided for 6 years. I wasn’t diagnosed until 30 and there are so few supports for us in place in the US. I would love to work with an occupational therapist on proprioception and interoception, but I can’t trust myself to pay the bill and not let it go to collections. It’s so hard to get the care when you have executive functioning issues. It’s a miracle if I can even get the the appointment clean, fed. And watered, but I also have to hold a job and pay the insane medical costs. :(

[@alanaalbarado2357]

@@skateranddancer - I am so sorry for your struggle with medical needs and costs and not having the help you need. I understand completely about the costs of medical care, and it’s unfortunate that so many people go without a diagnosis and treatment bc it just costs too much! I hope things have been better for you this last year! ❤️💛🧡💚💜💙

[@skateranddancer]

@@alanaalbarado2357 ❤️

[@louisasmiles]

They've deliberately broken our NHS so that they can privatise. I was doing a hospital consultants hair (barber), and he proudly told me his daughter is working behind the scenes to get the NHS privatised. I was horrified. What about the poor people?

[@kathleenschoultz]

its to early to even diagnos a 2 year old

[@adricjones5605]

I noticed that she likes to hold something as she goes about activities. My granddaughter is doing the same thing. It used to be plastic spoons, now it’s an IKEA bag clip! She stims (her twin doesn’t) and she has significant developmental delays. We suspect she may be on the spectrum and will be having her tested with in the next few months. Thank you for your informative posts! Best of luck to you and your lovely family.❤️

[@DhumbleVibes]

How did it go?

[@adricjones5605]

@@DhumbleVibes She has been diagnosed with ASD. She is now 2 1/2 and has a vocab of 19 words. Her early intervention therapy during Covid has been via zoom and that is not NEARLY as effective as in-person. Our school district has a pre-school autism program that we’re hoping to get her into when she turns 3. Meantime, I’m doing everything I can to follow up and enrich her development. She had speech therapy, a developmental intervention therapist ant OT therapy. LOVES nursery rhymes and songs so we’ve been watching Simple Silly Songs and Little Baby Bum on KZbin. That has helped!

[@nicolecushway1227]

I just started the video and Tessie reminds me so much of my little Lily. She is getting her autism eval tomorrow afternoon. 💖

[@vanessahercules6453]

Hi how did it go ?

[@gracitaestepa2395]

Keep praying GOD BLESS . Very caring mom thank you

[@alanaalbarado2357]

I just get so aggravated with insurance companies😤 How would they feel about 🤔REdiagnosing their children every year, over and over, just to have coverage🙄 Your daughter is beautiful! She’s a perfect angel👼 💙💚💜🧡💛❤️

[@jeanguerrero8305]

Right, So unnecessary. Let’s remind insurance companies that autism is a “lifelong” condition. As if the condition will be gone for 1-2,3 yrs!

[@amandamandamands]

@@jeanguerrero8305 I wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason is that they are hoping that the level will change and that way they can justify giving less support. I was last year diagnosed level 1, I am in a different country and being an adult level 1 there aren't any services provide as you are 'high functioning' so you don't need them (not sure if they do the same for children).

[@rachelmyers2239]

Did you often have trouble with getting her to sleep at night? This is similar to my daughter who just turned 3, and has the hardest time going to sleep at night, usually won’t calm down and go to sleep until midnight 😓

[@pamelajackson2383]

she does so well and she seems very normal to me, i've raised 4 kids, every one is different. out of 4, not one of them would even attempt a shape sorter....not sleeping at night has so many reasons....i hope she shocks you all and makes a fantastic entry into her next stages ! she's just a wonderful kid !

[@Autmazing]

She is a wonderful kid. There’s nothing wrong with being autistic. Our entire family is. She is now five and says about ten words. That doesn’t mean she isn’t intelligent or doesn’t understand what’s going on around her.

[@tharikasamarakoon6229]

@@Autmazingactually she does seems v normal child what behavior you suspect as that she is autistic?Im wondering 😮 And how is she doing now ?

[@Autmazing]

@@tharikasamarakoon6229 she’s seven, still autistic, and has about ten words. She’s also a happy, playful girl. There are many videos on my channel that she’s in, along with the rest of our family.

[@renob9723]

Good for sharing this

[@olgaymarley]

I really like this video, mom did a great job and the girl is cute

[@lolgalit]

Thanks the gods here we need to have only 2 of these - the very first one - usualy 2 years and the second one when 6 years old and that is it till 18.

[@peterdidg3299]

music was so disturbing

[@emmafrye9346]

New subscriber. 💕 I wish the best for your family.

[@Autmazing]

Thank you Emma! I hope you are doing well! 💕

[@aonary5382]

Needing insurance for autism treatment and needing retesting every year sounds so backwards and horrendous :(

[@salvadorpuente8716]

what a cutie! Curious about her ASD diagnosis. Is she a level 2?

[@thomastartu9597]

I don't get your insurance. My old company just accepted it when I was four and didn't have to do this every year.

[@daphnietudor2953]

I'm wanting an autism evaluation for my son...if he is he would be high functioning. But I want him evaluated bc I know he needs help

[@jeanguerrero8305]

So smart and beautiful girl.

[@kyleharris6209]

im very sad that my son i suspected have sign of autism . he is turning 1yr old and 1 month . we notice when out son have not recognize his name he did not response when we call his name specially when he do somrthing or watching tv but sometimes , he response most of the time when we play peekaboo or nhide and seek my son have verygood smile .hope my son will get better.

[@nnijahk8582]

Is English your first language?

[@DhumbleVibes]

@@nnijahk8582 why does it matter?

[@punyajapurohit8201]

Hey how is your son now??

[@galitaMiina]

Plis, any update about your son? Coz he is almost the same age as mine.. my son 26m.o still has 2 words but he knows his surrounding perfectly fine, doing simple tasks instructions or daily activities and even do household chores too..

[@spacecadet8020]

Your son is exactly who he needs to be. 💛🍄

[@55nimrod55]

I heard giving them Dha is good for them. God Bless sister

[@jasminet6211]

lol the jumpingggg!! that is my son!

[@jessicahegarty900]

You don’t need to be re-evaluated every year for autism. She is being tested/evaluated to see if she meets certain criteria for services or for her school so that the insurance will continue to cover it. If she’s progressed beyond their criteria for services she will still be autistic but won’t be able to have services through that company or through her insurance. I’m not sure what state this is, but I’m not 100% sure if she has medical assistance (state insurance) which is recommended or private insurance or maybe both.

[@Autmazing]

This was not a school assessment it was a medical diagnosis assessment to qualify for the program run by the state of Michigan. We did and do know that no longer qualifying would not have made her neurotypical. Her dad and I both have autism diagnoses, but definitely wouldn’t qualify for the program.

[@amberlyndsey87]

I’ve been trying to watch this video all morning. I just found out my daughter may be on the spectrum, but it starts playing then says something went wrong 😭

[@Autmazing]

I’m so sorry! I hope it finally worked. Sometimes YT can be frustrating when it isn’t quite working. In terms of what to expect, in our autism evaluations, they’ve usually been done by a psychologist or occasionally a psychologist and a speech pathologist. They usually have me sit in a chair and ask me to interact as little as possible, but to treat her normally if she comes over to me. They have me call her at some point and ask me if I can get her to smoke without touching her. Then for the most part it will be the psychologist playing with her, trying to get her to play with or notice various toys and having a snack with her at the end. Tessie always thinks it’s fun. I hope that helps! Good luck! ❤️

[@DiariesofaDisabledmom]

Schools keep canceling here too and today his therapy was cancelled. Why does she have to be rediagnosed every year?

[@deltaflute03]

Diaries of a Disabled mom I asked her that question once and she said it’s her insurance’s requirement for service. Stupid really and total waste of time imho. I’ve had three insurance companies and basically all they’ve ever needed was medical history and a therapist report.

[@Autmazing]

I can't believe how many cancellations we've had now! We're up to eight this year, with four of them last week. And yeah, as DeltaFlute said, it's the insurance and the program that they're in (through the insurance) that requires every child in it to requalify with an ADOS every year. And doesn't accept outside diagnosis. So stressful.

[@didntcreateahandle]

I can give you a bit of insight. They are still learning. Your child’s progress will look totally different than the next. It’s a spectrum… not just a disorder.

[@minalosa7769]

i love this sweet happy girl so much : ) when she smile my heart opens !!! would like to cuddle with her all day

[@checkyourhead9]

Ummm I hope you know this family in real life

[@rk-op8mq]

Hi.. How is your daughter now.. Is she behaves normal..,? I too suffered with mild autism to my 2 and half old son.. Recently we started terapy to him.. His is too hyper active not giving eye contact and communicate with others..

[@rk-op8mq]

@PRISTINE JOEL yah please suggest...

[@4coolbros556]

How is she doing now

[@kathleenschoultz]

Do you think it is right to put a disorder on a 2 year old? How could you know how she is when she is 8 years old. There is so many autism spectrum disorder with other diagnosis.

[@Autmazing]

So... I didn't "put" a disorder on her. She received a diagnosis that she qualified for. She is now seven, and yes, just like her sisters and brothers (and parents), she is still autistic. She is just beginning to speak (only when singing). Outside of singing she has about ten words that she uses about once a month. Many autistic people also have other conditions, that is true. That does not make us less autistic. And yes, it is possible to know at a very young age that a person is autistic.

[@mrsjayellelovesyou]

My daughter desperately needs help with her receptive language skills. She only understands no honestly. How do you work with your daughter

[@rosemaryk2749]

Dignos3d every year. That's absurd. Your insurance has no idea what they're doing . No compresendation of ASD. The diagnosis is life long, it does not go away because it's neurodevelopmental. I'm sorry you have to go through that on an annual basis.

[@jodiosborne5056]

Do you mind if I ask what state you live in? I just ask bc it looks a lot like Mn where I live 🤗

[@Autmazing]

We’re in the Midwest too, in Michigan!

[@jaysmith75]

My son is autistic and he elopes often

[@janetwunder3000]

What is her prognosis? What do they project for her at age eighteen? Will she function like a “normal” eighteen year old? Or will she need assistance for the rest of her life? What are these therapists trying to achieve?

[@johnmorrison4280]

My daughter is the same age and is getting the same therapists but has not yet been diagnosed. I asked the therapists the other day, "what is the end goal of therapy? Is she going to lead a normal life?" and they weren't prepared for that question. Very odd and no straight answer was given

[@Brooke-bl3yq]

@@johnmorrison4280 that is a very interesting statement. Do you have more clarity now and how is she doing? My child is 2 and not evaluated yet, to be honest, the doctors aren't much help. She is beginning with speech therapy and I pushed for it at 2, not the doctor.

[@Brooke-bl3yq]

That's an excellent question. Another mystery that doesn't get a straight answer. It's a scary maze in my opinion.

[@robertsaladino]

what I'm i missing? She's 2...looks normal to me.

[@mjcard]

Why does a two year old go to school?

[@silverlagomorpha3177]

It’s important to know she hasn’t grown out of something you never grow out of.

[@Autmazing]

We do know that. Since this video the rest of the family, including both parents, have all been evaluated and diagnosed . It was irritating that the insurance insisted on yearly assessments. Thankfully she’s no longer in any therapies that require that sort of thing.

[@silverlagomorpha3177]

yeah, I've had post injury/post surgery physical therapy that had to evaluate with the entire session every 4th session that I was still improving, and paperwork for my doctor to complete after reading the evaluation by the physical therapist. Huge giant waste of energy in US healthcare. @@Autmazing

[@bonnieballentine1617]

Me has a toddler 😂😁😍

[@StephyPaige98]

Same! Though she seems a bit more confident than I was 😅

[@minalosa7769]

[@Autmazing]

Thank you for watching!

[@ioanahelw5905]

Don't see anything abnormal with her. Why don't you explain what exactly led to the diagnose?

[@amandamandamands]

She is the youngest of 5 children who are all autistic, Cammie knew what to look for. I was only diagnosed last year (at age 48), if you are meeting me casually you wouldn't know there is anything different about me because I am so used to masking.

[@zoeamandatrueman9184]

Please......

[@user-gg9rd6xg5u]

😢

[@alexkirchhoff9603]

She looks level 1

[@Autmazing]

We don't use functioning labels here, because they can be extremely harmful. You might want to read more about what autistic adults generally have to say about functioning labels, because it can be really helpful to understand where they are coming from and there is a lot out there. But none of our girls, in their tests, have had that result, or anything near it, when they've been tested.

[@alexkirchhoff9603]

@@Autmazing ok understood... Hope long life and peace

[@gavinpeters5418]

get rid of stupid music

[@zoeamandatrueman9184]

Why should she? Don't watch, if you don't like it! Not like anyone is forcing you to continue watching the video with the "stupid music" as you so politely put it, is it..?

[@thatdailymama]

im so annoyed for you seeing you have to go back every year. Autism is not a curable condition and they know that. ugh.

[@judymurray191]

Wow!!! That was the most annoying music!!

[@zacharyphillips9294]

My understanding from the video is that you’re trying to place a label on your kid so you can get free handouts…

[@Autmazing]

Hi Zach. I'm not sure what kind of "free handouts" you think come with an autism diagnosis? Can you enlighten me? What I was hoping for in this video was that our insurance would cover therapies like speech and OT. The autism benefit in our state, requires insurances cover autism related therapies. There aren't magical benefits in this country (the US) that come with a diagnosis. Maybe you leave somewhere else, so you're confused?

[@galitaMiina]

Wow your comment is totally offending dude.. U never have a child? Which Moms in this world want to place a label for their kids tho? Even for a free handouts which I dunno what u r exactly talking about Im sorry im so stupid to understand your words tho.. but what I understand, u just sounded so RUDE

[@annaw7437]

WOW! My boy is 2 and he could not put the shapes in the right holes. I would think this is sth an older child would do...

[@Autmazing]

One thing about being autistic is that we often have real strengths in one area, while having struggles in others. Tessie is awesome at puzzles, while as an almost five year old now she still doesn't have words. She's always loved seeing how things work and fit together though.

[@zacharyphillips9294]

Considering your personality I’d say you may be the cause of her behavioral issues. Your eye moment is wild, your vocabulary is constantly searching and you seem to be always on the go instead of calming down yourself. A lot of this seems like projection.

[@Autmazing]

You are so, so right Zach. I am the cause of Tessie's autism, along with our other four children. Well, I'm the cause of half of it at least. My husband gets the other half of the credit. You see, Zach, autism is genetic. As you so rightly noted, my eye movement is "wild" and my vocabulary is "constantly searching" at least when I'm speaking verbally. Now as for being on the go, I think we can blame my ADHD for that, so you were really close to being spot on with a diagnosis almost three years before I got mine. I feel like that deserves some sort of an award. But you did miss the mark in some ways. You can't make someone autistic. What may confuse you is that parents of autistic kids, especially those who are autistic themselves, are sometimes pretty good at spotting the neurodivergence in their offspring. Wild, right? Now you seem confused in your other question about why a person, or a parent, might seek a diagnosis, or "label" as you called it. I'll answer this one as an autistic person, who grew up being autistic, and who will be autistic until the day that I die. We know that we're different. Other people know that we're different. It can be a relief to realize that we aren't broken and that there isn't anything wrong with us. And it can be even more awesome to realize that there are other people out there who communicate the same way that we do. That's why autistic people often end up in relationships with other autistic people, making cute little autistic babies. When you think about it, it kind of makes sense, right? And since you're worried about "free handouts" I thought I'd share that my husband is an attorney, and I'm a writer and video maker. We both bring home paychecks, although to be honest, I do believe there should be more protections for the disabled in our country, who aren't able to work and make a living wage. Programs for the disabled in this country are pathetic and could absolutely use an overhaul. Anyways, on the off chance you really were trying to learn something when you clicked on this video, I thought I'd share. If not I'm sure these words can help someone else. Have a lovely day Zachary.

[@zacharyphillips9294]

@@Autmazing thank you for this response, addressed everything perfectly. Sorry if I came off in an attack mode but to be a 3rd pov and see this I was sadden but understanding your logic and reasoning makes more sense.

[@Autmazing]

If an update helps, Tessie is now five. She’s a happy little girl. She’s been in speech therapy since she was a toddler, and now she has ten to twenty words. She’s very intelligent and loves to build things and climb. Verbal communication just isn’t her thing, yet. Thank you for responding. Take care.

[@SHERECOVERS]

@@Autmazing This reply is such a beautiful way to call someone in and I am deeply (positively) impacted by this. Thank you.