Bito’s Early Intervention teacher called me this afternoon. She normally visits him at his private preschool on Mondays, but there were no classes today due to the county-wide teacher workday.
A bit of background: in 2006, after many tests, evaluations and interviews with the county’s Early Intervention team, we were told Bito has a language delay, most prominently in pragmatic language, i.e. making conversation. He began receiving services in spring of 2006 at home. When he started preschool, the Early Intervention teacher(s) started going to his preschool to work with him there.
Ms. D is impressed with Bito’s improvements in his usage of language. She noted several examples of Bito speaking to teachers and friends. I am pleased with how he is making conversation with people familiar to him. I am concerned, however, in Bito’s interactions in new situations and with new people, so we talked about that for awhile.
As we were closing up our pleasant conversation, I asked her the same question I’ve asked at each progress and IEP meeting: “Ms. D, will we be given a diagnosis of Bito being on the autism spectrum or having Asperger’s syndrome?” And Ms. D responded with the same response she’s given at each meeting, essentially saying, “Why do you need to know? He’d be receiving the same early intervention services he is currently receiving no matter what label he might be given.”
As frustrating as her response is, I know she is not purposefully being coy or difficult. I understand she and the county’s Early Intervention team are not diagnosticians, thus she is not willing to say if she believes Bito is on the spectrum or if she thinks he has Asperger’s. Ms. D went on to tell me an autism diagnosis is a medical one and we would need to see a pediatric specialist for further evaluations, if that’s what we want to pursue.
I am torn. The Husband is comfortable not having an actual label applied to Bito. I am not so sure. I just want to know, one way or another. I’m tired of second guessing myself and constantly studying Bito for signs of something that may or may not be there.
get a second opinion. Really. Asperger’s is way over diagnosed.
My son has an appointment with Teeach Autism on January 22nd to rule out any sort of austimspectrum or such. I personally feel better knowing if are dealing with issues other than SPD. Good Luck with your decision.
I used to work with children with Asperger’s – it was one of my best and favorite experiences. Yay for a good meeting overall, but I completely understand your frustration with the diagnosis/lack thereof. It might be true that the early-intervention services would be the same now, but getting a diagnosis would likely affect your future school decisions, etc. And it seems there is such comfort in knowing! Good luck.
To diagnose or not to diagnose is a tough one. In some ways, no it will not change What you are working on. But with certain cases it can change the How. A diagnosis can also Open Doors as well to services a child might need but is not able to get. It’s a tough decision. Because while it opens doors and brings services? It is something that will follow them throughout their school career. So it’s a toss-up.
A times I do ask Will It Change Anything having that diagnosis. And in some cases, no it will not At That Time.
But we are now at the point where we are finding that having a diagnosis for us would open up doors we cannot open right now. So we have reached the time where Yes It Would Make A Difference.
This decision and the decision about whether or not to start Kindergarten next year? V. stressful.
Well, I know it seems as though Autism/Asperger’s is being over-diagnosed these days. But, I also believe the rates of incidence are increasing as well.
I’m like you: I would want to know. I agree with the above post: a diagnosis could open so many doors. Yes, you’d still have early intervention, but you may do even more. The earlier the therapy, the better the outcome.
Labels are only as restrictive as you allow them to be.