Early Intervention success
Last week the boy had his annual check up with his neurodevelopmental pediatrician. Last year, around this time, we were finding out from this same man that the boy "displayed" on the border between autistic and PDD-NOS so the doc was going to diagnosis PDD-NOS. The doc also recommended that we immediately get him into the state early intervention program (EIP) for speech & behavior therapy.
While we were in Orange, the boy had a WONDERFUL behavior therapist, Renee, who helped him make AMAZING progress! Right before his third birthday, he was tested by the Piscataway school system in preparation for his aging out of the EIP. Miracle of miracles - while he did qualify for their special-ed preschool, called PEEPS, it was only in one area. I completely attribute to Renee's work with the boy that only his social skills were still deficient enough to qualify him for PEEPS.
What a difference a year makes!
And now, more good news. His neurodevelopmental pediatrician said not only would NEVER now consider labeling the boy autistic, he doesn't even think the boy falls on the PDD spectrum AT ALL!! That's right folks, my boy went from possibly autistic to not even on the PDD spectrum. The doc says we don't even need to bring the boy back unless the more severe symptoms return. He does agree with the school system that the boy has some speech and social issues but nothing severe enough to label.
Wow!! This was the outcome we'd hoped for but that I never dared get too excited about. I listen to my boy chatter up a storm and I can't help but be amazed. It's been months now since he's become a little chatterbox and I still LOVE hearing him chatter away.
We still need to be careful and work with him on issues like transitions and focusing on people and issues like that but still, to know that he's going to be OK is one of the greatest feelings ever.
What a present to receive for the new year.
While we were in Orange, the boy had a WONDERFUL behavior therapist, Renee, who helped him make AMAZING progress! Right before his third birthday, he was tested by the Piscataway school system in preparation for his aging out of the EIP. Miracle of miracles - while he did qualify for their special-ed preschool, called PEEPS, it was only in one area. I completely attribute to Renee's work with the boy that only his social skills were still deficient enough to qualify him for PEEPS.
What a difference a year makes!
And now, more good news. His neurodevelopmental pediatrician said not only would NEVER now consider labeling the boy autistic, he doesn't even think the boy falls on the PDD spectrum AT ALL!! That's right folks, my boy went from possibly autistic to not even on the PDD spectrum. The doc says we don't even need to bring the boy back unless the more severe symptoms return. He does agree with the school system that the boy has some speech and social issues but nothing severe enough to label.
Wow!! This was the outcome we'd hoped for but that I never dared get too excited about. I listen to my boy chatter up a storm and I can't help but be amazed. It's been months now since he's become a little chatterbox and I still LOVE hearing him chatter away.
We still need to be careful and work with him on issues like transitions and focusing on people and issues like that but still, to know that he's going to be OK is one of the greatest feelings ever.
What a present to receive for the new year.