Back with an update ... had the developmental screening today. The official diagnosis is High functioning autism with very high intelligence. I was very happy with the evaluation team so no complains really. The main developmental pediatrician picked up on DS's "smarts" right away (he was watching from behind a mirror wall). He did say that our major issue is communication / social interaction and if we can overcome that, he should be advancing fast at school.
What I'm not so happy / sure about is the overall recommendation by the whole team for our little guy being placed in an actual preschool classroom for kids with Autism (mainly to learn the different communication skills). Our district also has an option (from what I've heard) of having kids on the spectrum put in a "regular" special ed class (like my 4-year old is in) and have an aid provided for him to work with him one-on-one while he's in the class. I'm sure the all-autistic class is great! ... I just don't think it would be a match for our child. But this is all just a recommendation. A lot will depend on the special ed school district evaluation sometime next month before he turns 3. They also recommended we continue with all the therapies and to add ABA therapy on top of it all. ... at this point I'm feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it!
So, here I am ... with a diagnosis ... and right now have ZERO idea of what we'll do!
BBBb ... I have read a little about hyperlexia and am still keeping it at the back of my mind.
Overall, I do think a lot will depend on how his speech will be developing from now on. If it takes off just before he turns 3 like it did with my older one (pretty much overnight) ... or if he'll continue being not very communicative thought having huge vocabulary (his favorite thing right now is going through a dictionary that's a part of his Leappad eBook and learning to read words like "appointment" "incredible" "scrumptious"! lol). they want use to come back again for re-evaluation in 9-12 months to see where he's at with his communication skills then.
