Diagnosed With Autism

Dalton Is Diagnosed With Autism: Part 2

Jul 1, 2006

At around 29 months of age, our son, Dalton was still not speaking and after a couple of stressful incidents we realized that Dalton needed to be tested for autism.

After the age of 2, when Dalton still was not talking and more odd behaviour erupted, we realized that something was not right and he needed some help. We went back and spoke to our pediatrician. He persuaded us to start by seeing a pediatric neurologist.

The neurologist asked many questions, ones that you get used to answering when you have a child with autism. The questions related to his development, social skills, and behaviour. He gave Dalton a physical exam and then proceeded to tell me that he suspected it was autism.

I remember being in shock. Wondering on what basis he made this suspicion. I had so many thoughts and doubts running through my mind, but at the same time was completely incapable in forming any sort of question or even a response. He gave me a list of tests that he wanted performed and wanted a follow-up as soon as they were done.

I got in the car and called my husband. He reacted the same. You suspect that something isn't right, but you hope you are wrong. It is odd how you still feel blind-sided even though deep down you know what is probably going on. My husband got on-line and found the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria (from the DSM IV) for diagnosing autism. As we looked through the list and read the information, we began to see more clearly that the answer for Dalton's problems was probably going to be one we were not wanting to hear.

One of the first tests we had done was a hearing test. This is a crucial first test, because children who are having a hard time hearing manifest some of the same symptoms as children with autism. In our area, it was difficult finding a doctor/audiologist who worked on children under the age of 4, but we found someone and after a stressful hour of a child not wanting to cooperate the results came back normal.

We then had to take him for blood work, urine tests and an MRI. All of which were very stressful experiences. I remember after each test coming home with a huge headache and sleeping for hours. As stressful as it all was, getting it all done was important for finding out how to help Dalton. Fortunately, all tests were normal.

We then went to see the psychiatrist and by that time we had started dealing better the possibility of what was wrong. His conclusion was that Dalton had autism.

The time involved reaching Dalton's diagnosis was heart-breaking and painful. It is an overwhelming experience searching for the answers of what is wrong with your child. As difficult as it is to hear the diagnosis of autism, you then discover that once you know, you can start trying to find the best way to help your child conquer the challenges ahead and become the best that he can be.

The copyright of the article Diagnosed With Autism in Autism Research is owned by Tracey Thompson. Permission to republish Diagnosed With Autism must be granted by the author in writing.