onetiredmama: Surprises
The first surprise of the week was that Jack's evaluation was a week earlier than I thought. Luckily, we got a call reminding us about the appointment and we were able to get there on time.
(Not without me feeling like I should surrender the "Most
Responsible" award that I received in high school.) But we met
with a wonderful developmental peditrician who observed Jack and
looked over evaluations his teachers did. And that's when the
second surprise came.
She does not think Jack is on the Autistic Spectrum.
She believes he has learning disabilities which have resulted in developmental delays. Now I do have to explain that she did give him a diagnosis of mild Aspberger's (she said he just barely met the criteria and could test out of it at the next evaluation.) This diagnosis ensures he will receive the needed services at school. Aspberger's Syndrome is traditionally listed as a disorder that falls on the Autistic Spectrum. But she is among the doctors who believe Aspberger's should not be on the spectrum. She thinks its more of a learning disorder that he can grow out of or learn to overcome. She also says he has Semantic Pragmatic Language Disorder, which he can also grow out of or learn to overcome.
So the third surprise was that I didn't give a whoop of joy at her pronouncement. I was happy and pleased, but I realized it doesn't change anything about Jack. Jack is Jack and we love him for his many wonderful, and some curious ways. And I also realize that her diagnosis is her professional opinion. Just like we received a professional opinion 3 years ago that Jack was on the spectrum -- a moderate to severe case they told us. There is no definitive test for disorders like this. Only assessments where a professional diagnosis is developed. There's no blood test that will tell you yes or no. So I'm pleased that she sees Jack as having a great school career that will be supplemented with the help he needs. Some one else could tell us something different. I guess I'm finally at a place now where I just feel like Jack is going to determine his own destiny -- just like any other child. He's a delightful boy who has surprised us all along the way with the tremendous strides he has made.
Surprise! Can't blow out the candles!
Copyright 2007 Modern Mom, LLC. All rights reserved.
