For several years now people have told me that I should get my son tested for Autism. It started with a counselor of mine several years back. Several other people I know know others who have children who were diagnosed with Autism and they all have said that based on what they’ve heard and seen of my son, he shows signs of having it. Most feel if he does, he has high-functioning Autism or possibly even Asperger’s.
I finally mentioned it to my son’s pediatrician when we took his sister in for her physical for school. His doctor didn’t hesitate to hand me the questionnaires that are used to help determine if it’s a good idea to send him for further testing. She has seen how he acts during office visits. She knows how he is, and I appreciate that she respects my thoughts enough to listen to my concerns. It’s always a good thing when a doctor takes parents seriously. His doctor is actually my old pediatrician, so I trust her with my son’s well-being.
B was supposed to go in for an extended office visit on Friday but since it’s his first full day of school, I wanted to push it back a couple weeks to give him time to adjust to full days of school. I think disrupting his new routine would be bad for him.
I am nervous about that appointment, but I think it’s perfectly normal for any parent to ask themselves what did I do that could have caused this. And I’m sure if it comes back that he does, in fact, have Autism or Aspergers, some will say it was my choice to vaccinate him that caused it. And yes, there will be a part of me that will always wonder if that’s true since there are many who believe that vaccinations can lead to Autism, but the only way I will ever know for certain is if doctors find irrefutable proof.
For those of you are have  children who have been diagnosed, I’d love to hear from you and some of the things you’ve done to cope.