Zac Reading a bedtime story

3 yrs ago we were given the diagnosis of PDD NOS, and for 1 1/2 yr prior to that date we had been going through Early Intervention for Language/Developmental Delays. This is Zac today, he turned 6 on Feb 19. He continues to amaze me! For all the parents out there that are still stunned by a recent diagnosis, don't give up hope! Keep pushing and always set your goals high. Best wishes to all of you. Just as the saying goes 'if you meet one child with autism, you've met one child with autism'. I realize that he's isn't the ruler to measure everyone's progress by but we were in a horrible mindset during his diagnosis and I can understand the feelings of 'what can I do' and of helplessness. My advice is to push your child to the best of his/her limits and don't stop. It's emotionally draining and physically taxing! I've been down that road and can empathize! I don't want my success just to be mine, I want to share it so that some of you starting Early Intervention or with a new diagnosis can see that sometimes we just need to put the right resources in place and lead our kids in the right direction. It's a long, curvy road! With many obstacles, but my main goal is for Zac to function at the highest possible level. (Have you ever read about Neurodiversity?) I want to continue to make ZAC HAPPY and to provide therapies that will focus on his occupational and speech skills. If I were to say that we were doing a 'plan', it'd be 'floor time' that seems to be our playing style already. As for friends? He has some very strong relationships!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• autism
• PDD
• NOS
• awareness
• alabama
• kindergarten
• reading
• early
• intervention

[wesnicallen]

Thank you and best wishes w/ your baby! If you ever need someone to talk to that's been down that road please look me up! I'm on Facebook as Nicole James Allen.

[hhovis]

He said, "You read these to me while I eat some CHEESE!" Haha, that's too cute.

[wesnicallen]

He loves cheese : ) that's one of his favorite foods. I buy the big blocks and slice it for him. He'd eat his weight in it if I'd let him!

[wesnicallen]

Did I say that he was reading this at 10pm last night???

[LauraRoos]

Very inspiring. What a smarty pants. Mine was dxed w/PDD at 24 months, about 7 months ago.

[wesnicallen]

Ha, each time I listen to this video I realize just how bad my southern accent is! Errr! I wish I would've edited myself out of it : )

[wesnicallen]

Thank you : ) Currently, he's only on a quarterly maintenance private sp/ot schedule. He receives sp/ot at school, but overall he seems to be a typical first grader with LOTS and LOTS of energy! I love his little quirky ways and sense of humor! He does not have a full time assistant, one visits during 'center time' to help him focus and his resource teacher checks in on him-but he functions fine in his class : ) He LOVES his teacher! Once more, thanks!

[hhovis]

I love this boy! This made me smile so big.  This is so precious and AWESOME! You have done such a good job with him. :)