Apparently I have taken quite the hiatus from my blogging.
Last post in June 2011?
I'm prompted to write today because I received the nicest comment on my "Diagnosis Day" post.
You mean someone is actually reading this?
It made me so happy!
Maybe I should keep it up.
Life has been the typical busy of our family with vacations, sports and other activities for three children, and all that other stuff.
Life is good and I cannot complain.
Without further ado...
Highlights for my son's life for the past five months:
Turned three, aged out of Early Intervention. Evaluated by Intermediate Unit (ages 3-5). We were shocked when they recommended placement in their Autism Support Classroom under the Preschool Special Ed program.
Say what?
If he is mild on the spectrum, why are they recommending him to be placed in this type of restrictive environment?
Visited classroom, met teacher and aides, decided to give it a go... at least for the summer. Had a good experience and decided to continue. School is M-Th from 9am-3pm.
1-3pm naptime? Suddenly, no longer.
Classroom environment is very clean, tidy, and calm. About nine children at any given time; all ASD and all verbal to some degree, ages 3-5 years old.
Classroom uses methods of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Floortime, and Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB).
Little man receives speech therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT) each twice a week for 1/2-hour sessions in the classroom. These are prescribed through his IEP which, I have to be honest, I don't really understand much yet.
Started with an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G private speech therapist in June. She visits once a week while he is at his typical preschool on Fridays.
Note: I am impressed with how he has adjusted to attending two schools each week.
Significant strides with speech. Using 2-4 word phrases more regularly; working on proper use of pronouns (I/you, she/he). Articulation remains a challenge. Much of what he says can be understood only by his immediate family. Mostly me.
Recent follow-up with Developmental Pediatrician who diagnosed him. She was pleased with the progress he has made and wondered aloud whether her initial diagnosis was incorrect.
That scares us.
Because...
Although it would be great if he miraculously recovered (or it was all just a mistake from the get-go)...
We believe he is rightly on the spectrum. Rightly diagnosed.
We believe the classroom and the therapies he has received because of the diagnosis are what makes the diagnosis now appear, perhaps, questionable.
That borderline mild case.
Take away those interventions. He will regress.
That is our fear.
For now, it is agreed that his diagnosis holds. We will consider administering ADOS again in the spring.
There are so many more things that have happened, but I must stop now. Writing this all out again makes me realize that I really do need this blog.
Gets it out of my system.
And can be my link to other parents facing similar challenges.
Thank you, Laurie!
