Well, it was only disappointing because I have unrealistic expectations. In my heart, I wanted to go for the follow-up and tell her how amazing DS is doing in terms of his language and social developmental, and the absence of concerning behaviors were still so pleased to see- and then she would say "Great! Clearly, there is no way he has autism!". Obviously, that didn't happen. But I do wish she had been a little more positive. For example, when I told her DS knows all his shapes, numbers, and most letters, she started talking about rote memory and hyperfocus in ASD and so on..... good to be aware of, of course, but I was more thinking that DS is just learning at a developmentally appropriate level. Anyway, I left there with a heavy heart, even though I know it's silly. I guess in my soul I haven't totally accepted the diagnosis.
Re: Disappointing developmental pedi appt
I'm sorry.
Someone on this board often says that this is a marathon, not a sprint, so try to take it all in calmly and slowly. I know it's really hard and heartbreaking at times though.
I am sorry you are disappointed. May I ask, has your son been diagnosed w/ASD? How, since he is not even 2 years old?
He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age 14 months by the same developmental pedi. She would have given him a provisional dx at that time if that still ensured he got appropriate services- but since it does not and he did meet criteria, she gave him the diagnosis.
That stinks. I dread those appointments for this reason. It seems like I read something on here recently about keeping a journal documenting all the great things that your child has learned to do over the year. When something like this appointment comes up and you're reminded how far there still is to go, you can still look back and try to focus on how far they've already come.
I'm glad to read the other responses because we're gearing up for a school case conference and a private follow-up evaluation in a couple of months. It's so comforting that others get it.