Diagnosis

Some have expressed concerns that we are having Gabriel diagnosed with a social-developmental disorder so early, as behavior changes as we age and it would be imprudent to attach a stigma such as Autism to a child so young because it will follow him through school and beyond. I understand these concerns, and hope to address some of them here.

The big question is: Are we having Gabriel diagnosed as autistic now?

The answer is: Yes and No.

Doctors are divided on pretty much all topics, and autism just so happens to be the hot button issue right now which means that there are even more abounding conflicting opinions over the subject. Our pediatrician, for example, does not believe in diagnosing a child before three; while other experts we have spoken to believe the only real way to diagnose autism is if symptoms appear before the age of three. Because of how divided the experts are, they mistrust the results other doctors find and feel the necessity to run the same diagnostic tests themselves for their own records.

Dr. Driskell is reporting her opinion/diagnosis with the insurance, which she got approved through me and Michael beforehand. We agreed because without the documented diagnoses, the insurance will not pay for continued treatments and services.

At the end of this year, we are meeting with the developmental pediatrician Dr. Rogers (whom we waited months for her office to contact us, but now we finally have an appointment--more on that later) for a second evaluation and a second opinion.

Early next year, Gabriel will turn 3 years old and will be evaluated again by the school district to determine if he qualifies for the preschool program specifically targeted toward kids with needs like Gabe. If we opt against the diagnostic screening, he will be unable to enroll in the preschool program and therefore will not get the services that could so benefit him.

Though doctors are divided over their opinions regarding autism, there is one thing that we have heard time and time again from every resource we have available to us--early intervention is the key to Gabriel leading the most normal, functional life possible. Without that handy little diagnosis, the insurance company will not pay for services, the school will not allow him to attend the preschool, and we are limited in the amount resources (including SPAN and educational seminars) that we are able to offer Gabriel to give him the best shot at returning to "typical".

Reading all of that, you must have thought "Well, that doesn't sound like a yes and a no. That just sounds like a yes." You'd be wrong, lol.

Basically, this is a preemptive strike diagnosis. We view it as "suspected autism" or "high risk for autism". He has many of the classic ear markers, failed the MCHAT....there is good reason to believe he has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Which means, because of his young age, we will start working with him to get him caught up in the areas he is lacking; then in three years, when Gabriel is about school age, he will be once again tested, which will be more determinate of what--if anything--we are looking at here. He will have developed enough by then (hopefully) for us to get a more full understanding of what he is going through.

That being said, the national guidelines will change next year, which means that he may no longer qualify according to the new standards. Or he may be testing autistic now, but due to his high intelligence and temperament, he may come out "typical" when he is five. Right now, we just don't know.

What we do know for a fact is that we have done everything exactly right, in the correct order, so that we when arrived at this diagnosis, it was not something we rushed into or took lightly. Michael and I have chased down every other possible cause for the abnormalities Gabriel is experiencing, and in the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (and Spock):

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth"

It's not like we were hoping there was something wrong with Gabriel. We knew something was different; we just had to figure out exactly why.

So anyways, I hope that clears up any wondering or confusion. I know it is not the decision that all parents would make, but I honestly believe that it is the right one for this family. =)

~Andie~