We Were Right!

I don't know how else to begin this post, so I'll start with "we were right". We went to the appointment with the specialists at the children's hospital. They saw the same things in L that we see everyday. L is autistic. He now has a diagnosis.

Here's the weird thing: I'm not upset with L being diagnosed with ASD. I'm not upset about the diagnosis, because I already knew it. I was upset about it months ago, when my husband and I realised what was going on. We went through a very emotional process then. Now, the diagnosis is validation. I AM a good mom. I do KNOW my kid. I've let other peoples opinions make me feel crazy and doubt the doctors. Now I know that I can trust my instincts and our doctors, and I will learn to stand up for myself.

The best part of the diagnosis is that now we know where to go from here. We have referrals to some new therapy programs. The people at the autism center were amazing and so informative. We left there with such a positive outlook and so many ideas on how to help my little boy.

Now I have to be an advocate for a minute. We were told that if we hadn't started early intervention therapies with L, we would be in a very different place. I have a small request of my readers. If you notice any delays in your child, or if your gut tells you that something isn't quite right, talk to your doctor. It could make a huge difference in your child's life.

A Bundle of Nerves

After more than six months of waiting, we finally got in, and will be taking sweet little L for his official autism assessment appointment in just a few days.

I'm so nervous about it that I could just scream. The last year has put us through all sorts of things from twice weekly therapy to an EEG. He has shown so much progress with the early intervention that we have made such a priority lately. All along this appointment has been what we have been waiting and hoping for.

Now that the appointment is here, I'm so worried that it will not go as we expected. They will tell me that he is one smart little man, a hilarious little firecracker, with his own way of doing things. Maybe they'll laugh at us for thinking anything was off, after all, every child is different. They'll tell us that we've wasted their time and that there are kids with real problems waiting to get it.

I know I'm probably nuts. I know this little guy so well. I know he has something special going on, that needs extra special attention. If it's not autism, I don't know where that leaves us. Deep down I know how this will probably go. I just need a giant chill pill. Deep breathes, mama.

Tot School Tuesday: Bird Nests

 This week in tot school, we are learning about birds and I put together a little bird nest craft.

You'll need:

Construction Paper
Glue
scraps of yarn
magazine clippings of birds

1) Cut out one nest and a bunch of leaves from brown and green construction paper. (mommy did that part)

2) Have the kids glue the nest and leaves to the paper, followed by gluing the yarn bits all over the nest.

3) Ask the little ones to pick their favorite bird and have them glue it in the nest.

For more fun Tot-School Ideas check out 1+1+1=1 and other participating blogs by clicking the image below.