Recieving a Diagnosis

After waiting almost two years, we finally had our evaluation from the Speech Pathologist.  She was very good, and officially diagnosed him as being 18 months behind where he should be.  But she also realised that the speech was not the only issue, and sent us back to the paediatrician to evaluate him with regard to ASD.  She was willing to start speech sessions, but wanted to hold off until a full diagnosis of his condition could be established, as this would effect what therapies would work best.

We went back to the Paediatrician who performed some assessment test with him.  It had some name, but I really can't remember what it was now.  I know it involved my child, one parent (his dad), and the doctor in the room, and two or three more assessing people, plus me in the next room, observing through a viewing window.  It was all very interesting, and nerve racking at the same time.  There was a lot of looking at books, and playing with toys, and generally messing about.  After the assessment, the assessors went away, and we went home, and then went back a few days later.

When we returned for our follow up appointment, in April 2005, Michael was officially diagnosed as being High Functioning on the Autism Spectrum.

This news turned our lives upside down, and challenged everything we thought we knew about raising children. Because of course we had so much experience with our one older child (who of course was perfect, and has always remained so!).  Everything that worked for our first child, seemed to dismally fail for our second.  Now we had a reason, and a way to move forward.