My 2 year-old son has a speech delay. We were concerned when he didn't start talking at 18 months. By the time I was that age, I was speaking in full sentences. He could only say "hi" and "bye", but not with any consistency. At his 2 year check-up, we brought up our concerns with his pediatrician, who suggested a program that works with children who have at least a 25% delay in one or any of the following areas: physical, social, communication, emotional, and behavioral. He qualified to receive in-home therapy from a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, and an education specialist for at least 6 months.
A few months in, they suggested we test him for Autism Spectrum Disorders. I was floored. I thought he was doing so well with his therapy, he was learning to communicate, he was able to focus more. And they said he was improving, but they wanted to know if there might be an underlying issue that needed to be found. So my husband and I agreed. Our son was tested in September and received a diagnosis of PDD NOS. Technically, he is on the Autism end of the spectrum, as opposed to Asperger's, but the degree of his disorder is relatively mild as of right now. And with the continued treatment plan of therapy, he may be able to assimilate with a class of typical children when it's time for him to start attending school. I am glad we had him tested b/c now I know we're on the right track.
Having a diagnosis really didn't change my interactions with my son, but it does make me more defensive. I worry that once people find out about it, they'll view him differently and treat him differently. He's a sweet, affectionate, little boy, with a fantastic sense of humor, and possibly a little too much intelligence. Knowing about his diagnosis just tells you that he learns and processes things a little differently; it doesn't define who he is.
