Things have been going in fast forward around here as far as Wyatt is concerned. What started as him being put in ppcd (preschool program for children with disabilities) for his speech has somehow morphed into evaluations, therapies, and the word autism. We have had educators sit in front of us and say that he has autistic tendencies but to us, his parents we only see an energetic little boy who has trouble communicating... a social delay... yes. A speech delay would certainly contribute to a social problem. Wyatt loves other kids, adults, people in general. He loves being in a crowd and he loves being the center of attention. Transitions are a problem and he is working on them through therapies... this is so hard... how do we help him?? I'm exhausted and scared... so many questions and only partial answers...
I can tell you from what you just said... that's not a boy with autism. If he is as social like you describe him with family, peers and stranger... well, they never should have thrown that word out there. Especially for you to hear.
ReplyDeletePeriod.
That's my professional opinion as an Certified SLP.
<3
Sorry you & Tom are going through this....
My point in that is that social reciprocity is the tap root of ASD...
ReplyDeleteAfter I reread what I said, I thought it sounded a little crass....
I am not saying I can diagnose him as not being on the spectrum, but he is clearly not having difficulties in one of the fundamental areas of concern.... social reciprocity and attention with others..