Hi there:
I don't live in the Boston area (I am an American living in Sydney), but I can certainly relate to your circumstances. My daughter, who is now almost 5, was diagnosed with PDD-NOS when she was 3. A big tip off for us was her early reading -- far before she could meaningfully speak. She, too, is an affectionate, happy, energetic child, and is highly gifted.
While every child is different and may respond differently to differ forms of early intervention, we have had huge success with ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), particularly in addressing DD's then language difficulties, joint attention, transitioning from activity-to-activity, and open-ended play.
What has worked for us is doing both a home-based ABA program and having some of our ABA therapists serve as aides in DD's preschool. We've complemented that with both social group therapy as well as OT (to address fine motor issues, but early on in DD's ABA program, there was a component to address her mild sensory issues).
Now that DD is progressing so well, we've shifted much of her program focus to school readiness and relating well to peers. Our therapists do less on the one-on-one drill side and more on helping DD with various social nuances.
I cannot begin to adequately describe the positive changes we have seen in our daughter since embarking on this intense (and unfortunately expensive) early intervention program. If I think about the little girl we had a 3 or even 3.5 and compare her to the confident, sassy, funny kid who is able to make meaningful friendships on her own and thrive in a mainstream environment, I get teary! She still has challenges to face, and is by no means "cured," but she is growing increasingly comfortable in her own quirky skin. That is all I can ask for as a parent!
All the best on your journey,
Kristen
