It's been taking awhile to get everything set up and settled. We've had alot of appointments to go to for my son. He's had to go through quite a bit of testing since January, and they finally have a diagnosis for him. He is high functioning autistic. I thought I had prepared myself for this, as I figured, from all the research I had done, that it was autism. But, I've been having a hard time anyway. I'm not in denial and I'm not angry, just sad. I'm also very relieved because now he can get the support that he should have had.
The psychologist said he is above average on some things, that he's very smart in those areas, but in others, he's quite delayed. He shows delays in the three core areas of autism - behavior, communication, and social. They've recommended getting him a "Mov N Sit" cushion, he does well with that. It allows him to move, but keeps him in the sitting position. They've also recommended stress balls, again, to allow his hands to stay busy, but not on other people. There was a few other things, but these were the main two things I need to find. The stress ball isn't a problem, but I don't know where to find the "mov N Sit". We have an appointment coming up on the 2nd, this appointment is with his school to put an IEP in place and try to arrange an EA for him. I've told his teacher already, and she seems to have had quite a bit of experience with autism, so this is good. Hopefully, she will be on board with him as she says she will be. However, she's already declined making him a schedule to follow in the classroom.
We've also told our families. My hubby's brother took psychiatry in school, and he's told us to get a 2nd opinion because "it's so hard to get autism off your health record". My hubby's other brother's girlfriend (who works with autistic children everyday for her career) said she figured (autism) as much when she took the kids out for Halloween last year, and she's putting some reading material together for us, but she also somewhat agrees with the brother. I don't know what to think about that, but I'm not sure I'm interested in putting him through all this testing again. I mean, when your kid comes to you and says "Mommy, am I different?" You know he's had enough. I understand that in 5 years he may not show any symptoms of autism, but wouldn't that be a good thing? I know he can't outgrow it, I know there is no cure, but I do know there is treatment, and he can learn the skills he needs to control it. I think teaching him (and us) these skills now, is more beneficial then worrying about if this psychologist was a "quack" or wrong. I think she is right. I think she hit the nail on the head when she diagnosed him High Functioning autistic. And I don't think my son deserves to be put through any more testings. I think that will bring him more harm then good.
Anyway, we've also spoken with our 8 year old daughter, told her, and asked if she would be interested in taking some workshops to learn more about her brother, and how she can help him. She said she would like that. She's always been a mini-mom to him, no matter how I try to stop her and tell her to be his sister, she really does take good care of him. The first question she asked - "Is he sick? Will he die?" But, she's interested in the workshops, so we are going to try to find some of those for her, and hopefully some for us too.
Anyway, that's my update. If you have an autistic child, or know one, please msg me. I need all the info I can get.