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Autism
By Bammom » Posted Jun. 24, 2014 2:58pm - 319 views - 5 comments

Well, I took my son in today for an evaluation with the school district because of his speech delay. The idea was to diagnose speech delay and get him in speech therapy so he can do better when he needs to start school. Unfortunately it was much more complicated than that. We met with a diagnostic specialist, a children with disabilities teacher, a speech and language therapist, and a licensed psychologist today. Their evaluation showed that my son "possibly" has autism spectrum disorder as well as speech delay. They want to enroll him in 2 years of preschool program for children with disabilities (ppcd) then reevaluate him when he turns 6 years old before he starts kindergarten to see if it truly is autism. They mark him as "non-categorical early childhood" delay or disability right now. I am not going to lie, I cried. I cried in front of the evaluation team and I cried like a baby after I got home. I have spoken to a friend of mine whose son is autistic and in middle school now so she has been dealing with it for a while now. She really helped calm me down and helped me to realize that it is all about HOW he learns. Life will not be normal for us, but everything is going to be fine. We simply have to find out how it is my son learns and then adapt the way he is taught. The next 2 years in class and with therapists should really help us figure out what we need to be doing differently to help him succeed. I could really use prayers right now. I am 9 months pregnant and more emotional than ever. This may have been easier to digest without the hormone circus going on in my body right now. Next up is finding a way to explain to my husband, who suffers from anxiety, what I have learned today and what the plan of attack is. I just hope it doesn't stress him out too much. It is a difficult and scary thing to be told, but I pray that he takes it with grace and we can tackle this one day at a time.

Comments for this Journal Entry

	Comment from Mrs_HT » Posted Jun. 24, 2014 7:28pm This phone totally jacked up my response. I HOPE your husband takes the news well and GOD only gives special children to special people.
	Comment from Mrs_HT » Posted Jun. 24, 2014 7:26pm That is a lot of information to process for one day. With the week you have had I know that this is over load. I know it seems scary but I know that it will be okay. It will be an adjustment on your family and I hippie your husband takes the news well. I am keeping you in my prayers. At your state you should not stress. I know that's better said than done but you will be able to find tons of resources to help your family get through and I know he will be fine. As they stated, he learns differently and Good only gives special children to special people.
	Comment from Beccalou » Posted Jun. 24, 2014 6:36pm I'm so sorry this is happening to your family, it has always been one of my biggest fears. However, I work in a public preschool classroom designed to provide services to children with special needs, along with a special education team, and I can tell you, you are doing the best possible thing for him. The district will be full of resources for both your son and your family, and they really can help so much. Whether he ends up with an ASD diagnosis or not, this is the best thing you can do to help prepare him for school and life. It's also possible that in a different environment (evaluations are so unnatural for kids, it's easy to miss things) and with strong peer models, they will find that it really is just a delay, which they can help him with. No matter what, you're doing the best thing, Mama, by being strong even when it's scary. I'll be thinking about you.
	Comment from Cattsmeow » Posted Jun. 24, 2014 4:55pm Best of luck and tons of positivity being sent your way! Just take it one day at a time. And it seems as if you've got a solid game plan going on.
	Comment from Mmkohl » Posted Jun. 24, 2014 3:17pm Awe....it will be okay. You are already taking the best steps to help your son! Just remember you are not alone facing this and there are so many resources available to help you as a family. Hang in there! Only a few weeks until your little bundle arrives:)