Autism Evalution Results

First of all, I wanted to thank you all for the amazing support and messages that I received in regards to Tristan! I can't tell you how much it warms my heart to have such amazing friends and family!


Here's the update. We went to Tristan's Autism Evaluation. The good news is, he hasn't been diagnosed with Autism. The bad news is, He has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. As explained to be by Tristan's Speech Therapist. PDD is like an umbrella, and underneath that umbrella is an array of disabilities. One of the categories is Autism. They can't diagnose Tristan with Autism, because he doesn't have enough of the characteristics of Autism. But they fall within the same category. It's difficult the explain, and it's something I don't think I really have the grasp of. Here's the link for more information on Tristan's Diagnosis if you're interested.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/navigating/pdd_nos.php


Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS, for short, is a condition on the spectrum that has those with it exhibiting some, but not all, of the symptoms associated with classic autism. That can include difficulty socializing with others, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli.

How it's similar to classic autism

Those with PDD-NOS behave like those with classic autism in many ways. First, they are all different (meaning one person with PDD-NOS doesn't act exactly like another; the same holds true for classic autism). When interacting with others, they may appear unemotional or unable to speak, they could have trouble holding eye contact, or they may have trouble transitioning quickly from one activity to the next.

How diagnosis differs

Those with PDD-NOS are different from others on the spectrum in one specific way: While they may exhibit some symptoms of those conditions, they don't fit the bill closely enough to fully satisfy all criteria set by the experts. Perhaps they started having difficulties at a much later age than others on the spectrum. (According to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, they are often diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 4 years old.) Or they may have the same challenges — for example, they may be oversensitive to their surroundings — but not to the extreme that others on the spectrum do.

Consequently, those with PDD-NOS are sometimes thought to have a "milder" form of autism, though this may not be technically true. One symptom may be minor, while another may be worse.


-I would really like to know if there's anyone else with children diagnosed with the same thing or with autism . I am wanting to gain more information on what I can/ should do to be a better parent to Tristan.

For those of you concerned about me, Don't be! I am perfectly fine with everything that's going on. I've acknowledged Tristan's delays for a long time. I have been handling the things he's been going through since day 1. So it's really no different. We just now have a title, and we can get the help we need to move forward.

Everything happens for a reason. Tristan is such a good kid and he's got some pretty amazing talents. I am very proud of how far he's come, and I am so thankful for him to have such an amazing Speech Therapist! So again, thank you everyone for everything! It means so much to me and Tristan!


-Stephanie