A sort of diagnosis...

nomadica

My DS was diagnosed with PDD-NOS today by a developmental pediatrician. However, she flat out told us she was unsure about the diagnosis. For one thing, DS is only 14 months old, and he isn't an obvious case. The pedi does feel that he is globally developmentally delayed, but just isn't sure of the etiology. Basically, she felt there was a definite possibility that he is on the spectrum, maybe even a likelihood, but also thought it was possible that he has these delays due to ear infections/hearing loss and/or other causes. But he does meet criteria for PDD-NOS and she felt it was vital to give him that diagnosis so that we get him into intensive therapy right away (which is 12-15 hours/week at his age).

I'm not surprised at this, and I feel it's better than being told he's definitely on the autism spectrum. The pedi gave us some hope that in a few years (with intensive therapies) he will be or look completely NT, which certainly made me feel better. But not knowing is difficult, and hope can be a dangerous thing. Regardless, I'm so happy that he'll now be getting the services he needs.

 This has been so difficult, so emotionally exhausting. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever feel completely happy again. I wish I could just enjoy my sweet boy without analyzing and worrying over everything he does. I wish I could get myself together because my son doesn't need a depressed, anxious mother on top of challenges he already has.

lite-bright

He IS very young. But, kudos to you for recognizing that something was amiss, and getting things rolling with the evaluation and therapies! That can only be to your son's benefit.

As far as being happy -- give yourself some time for processing things. For awhile I was having a mini-meltdown once a week. After awhile that lessened to once every couple of weeks, and now I'm doing pretty well 90% of the time. Starting therapies really helps, IMO, because it gives you somewhere to put your energy instead of into worrying. 

It really is hard, I know. **hugs** 

nomadica

lite-bright:

He IS very young. But, kudos to you for recognizing that something was amiss, and getting things rolling with the evaluation and therapies! That can only be to your son's benefit.

As far as being happy -- give yourself some time for processing things. For awhile I was having a mini-meltdown once a week. After awhile that lessened to once every couple of weeks, and now I'm doing pretty well 90% of the time. Starting therapies really helps, IMO, because it gives you somewhere to put your energy instead of into worrying. 

It really is hard, I know. **hugs** 

Thank you:) It's nice to know that it gets better. I've seen your descriptions of your DD in some others posts, and thought my DS sounded a lot like her. This is such a hard road, I'm glad a board like this exists.