Our friends - update

malcivar

I don't know if you remember but a little while back I posted about some friends of ours who had their son evaluated because he wasn't really talking at 2+ years of age.  My husband, at first, wouldn't give me details other than to say it (evaluation) had "opened up a can of worms".  Last week, he shared that it had been recommended that the child also have a psych evaluation.  My heart sank.  Within a few days, DH looked very down and I asked him what was wrong he said "PDD".  He's sad for his friend because he's been there, like we all have and they are taking it very hard.  The dad is in denial and the mom is blaming herself.   

And I was guilty of doing the same thing we talk about here so often.  When he told me, I said "Really?  No ... how?!?!?"  What DH didn't know is that I always used to look at this little boy and see how he was hitting his markers ahead of Chris and would even use him as a 'benchmark' in terms of how Chris was doing, though I did notice the last time I saw him that Chris was now talking rings around this little boy - and that this little boy wasn't really talking.  The last time I'd been around for one of their play dates, they went to the zoo where Chris was just smiling and making non descript sounds at the animals and the little boy was "moo"-ing at the cows and "baa"-ing at the sheep. But the last time, there were no words whereas Chris was asking for his water, asking for his snack.  

It hurts my heart that they're going through this and want to help but don't know how.  We're trying to help them navigate the EI world but we (and they) are concerned about "time lost".  

Not really sure why I'm posting this but if anyone is reading this and wondering "should I have my child evaluated?"  PLEASE JUST DO IT!