For those that haven’t been following along over at The Parent Support Space, we took our oldest son, Zach, to Drexel Universtiy’s Autism Department to be re-evaluated earlier this month. We had taken him there two years ago because I suspected a high functioning form of autism. At that time, Zach carried a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder with obsessive compulsive tendencies with him. The doctors at Drexel didn’t think there was enough compelling evidence two years ago to change his diagnosis, but they were certainly intrigued.Two years later with no change in Zach’s behaviors and the therapy for the ODD not helping at all, the doctors decided that yes, he does meet the criteria for Asperger’s syndrome.
I got the final report in the mail yesterday. It’s such a relief that all those years ago when Zach was a toddler that I was right. Not that I wanted there to be anything different about my child, but if there was, I wanted him to get the help he needed. I’ve had a gut feeling since Zach was a toddler that he was different. The differences between Zach and his peers only get more and more evident as he gets older. For me this is also validation that I’m not just a crazy mom, and my instinct has been right the last 7 years or so.
And just for the record, I will not be making the debate that vaccines did this to my child. Even though I noticed a difference between Zach and his peers between 15 and 18 months of age, looking back, he was always a different child. I only noticed it more when he was a toddler because he was in a small daycare setting with kids his own age that were quite different in behavior. Before this time, we didn’t have a lot of social interaction with his peers.
Now, we move forward. We fill out massive amounts of paperwork, make phone calls, and get the ball rolling to get Zach help in some areas.
For Zach, not a lot has changed. He’s still the sweet, but misunderstood boy we know and love. We’re debating even telling him about his diagnosis. He’s never known he has a behavioral disorder even with the ODD diagnosis since he was 3 1/2 years old. He’s so high functioning, smart, and manipulative, I don’t want him to take the label of Asperger’s and use it as an excuse when he feels like not trying his best at things.
For now, our journey continues…………………
I can imagine it being a relief to actually KNOW. I don’t blame you for not wanting to give him the “label” though. I have seen kids use labels to their advantage, which was never a good thing.
.-= Not So Average Mama´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
I am soooo happy for you that you finally be able to receive the services and therapies that you need for him. I hope that this year you start to see improvements in his behavior. ((hugs)) hun! I’m always here if you need me!
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..IEP Help =-.
I know how you feel, I would give anything to know for sure what my daughtter, Autumn’s issues are, because I know in my heart that there is something wrong. I honestly didn’t really start noticing it until my second child was born, and the comparisons started happening. When she was in preschool she was called the “daydreamer.” But I noticed that my younger child didn’t take as long to do certain things, and she listened so much better than the first child. Still does. I just hope to get my daughter the help she needs once we get back to the states! I’m glad that you have a diagnosis, and what a huge relief to be able to get him the help he needs.
Well now that you have a diagnosis, it will be much easier to get him to succeed in the proper therapies.
Now you can say that YOU WERE RIGHT all along. A mother’s intuition is nothing to disreagrd.
.-= Shan @ Last Shreds Of Sanity´s last blog ..Just Another Wordless Wednesday… =-.
I know it is hard to find out he does have issues, but also comforting know that Mom’s git feelings were in tune with your child!
I hope now he can get all the help he needs to grow into the person you know he can be. Labels or not, destiny is in the future.
.-= Faythe´s last blog ..Win a F.A.T.F.R.O.G. Inspirational Bracelet =-.
I know how frustrating it is not to know. I am glad you finally received a diagnosis and can move forward.
.-= Jessica @ Riding with jessica´s last blog ..Something Bit Me =-.
We also got our “solid diagnosis this year, with similar issues. Aspergers, after years of struggling the diagnosis has helped me realize it is not crappy parenting on my part. Prayers to you as you continue. Good luck with the overstimulating holiday season!
I blog here about some of our issues as well.
http://armywifetoddlermom.blogspot.com/