Houston, we have a provisional diagnosis.

[eurydicebound]

Today we went to the doctor with Alisdair. Specifically, we went to the ASTAR Center, which deals specifically with autism diagnosis and various helping therapies. We spent about two hours with the doctor, discussing Alisdair's history, his issues, all the paperwork we brought along, all the things we're worried about, his strengths and weaknesses, etc. David and I both went so as to better give input. Happily, he seemed to get what we were talking about, and all the testing we'd had done at least let us take a short cut through some of the potential paperwork.

The end result? A provisional diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome to be followed up with additional autism-specific testing in a couple of weeks to pin it down for certain. We have some suggestions as to therapies and activities we can try that may very well help, and a follow up scheduled for the end of the summer.

This is really the news I'd been hoping for. This will almost certainly give me the sheet of paper I need to get him the help in school that he needs, and will make things a lot easier. It's a good clinic where they have a ton of experience in dealing with this. The head doctor is a neurologist, which again cuts through a lot of bullshit, and it also means that if medication ends up being necessary (apparently some ADD medications can help with sensory overload/mental processing stuff and some anxiety meds help with outbursts, even though nothing treats the problem directly), he can prescribe them and knows something about what he's suggesting.

So if this is what I was hoping for, why do I feel so sad?

Comments

[herrw.livejournal.com]

My son and I have a prayer that we infrequently share, but we do so often enough that he has learned to use it in the toughest of times: "Thank you Lord for the obstacles you have set before me, for without them I could not have overcome." It reminds us that no one comes out of life unscathed or unscarred, but we all get throgh it somehow.

Asbergers is not the end... it is the setting of the board before the game gets played. And it is not an overwhelming handicap either, although it can be tough, I am sure. I wish I had some experience with it, to share, but I hope that my own experience with neurological abnormality can help.

As a man with Touret's Syndrom, I can vouch for the fact that what might seem overwhelming now could easily become a source of pride in the future. I managed, without medication, to get a handle on a disability which originally left me almost unable to function, to the point that most do not even suspect that I have the condition. I owe my success to my parents, who accepted nothing but success from me.

One day your son will blog, "you might not know this, but I was born with Asberger's, and yet became a success despite the condition. I owe that success to my Mom."

Keep the faith, and all my best wishes in your struggles.

[anaka.livejournal.com]

Tourettes isn't exactly a walk in the park. I congratulate you on your success, and I thank you for sharing that with me. I hope my kiddo has the same success with his disability.