DEVIN

Before I get started, this is Devin's preschool picture. So cute, huh?! I thought it was about time I finally wrote about what we now know for sure. Since Devin was 14 months there has always been a big question mark over his head with all the professionals - is he PDD NOS or just delayed? About 3 weeks or so ago he was finally diagnosed as having PDD NOS meaning Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. See this link if you want to read the signs that go along with this disorder -

http://ucf-card.org/uploads/factsheets/1187875130_eng.pdf (copy and paste this if you want to follow the link. I don't know how to do it the right way)

It has been described as basically being a mild form of Autism, although it is it's own diagnosis. Although, it was difficult to hear and we had hoped he wouldn't have it, we pretty much knew already and have now settled in with the label. After receiving ABA therapy (Applied Behavioral Analysis) for a year and then not qualifying for any more services his stimming, unable to wait for things and like behaviors really came about. In other areas he has really improved, though. Being in a typical preschool with children his own age and being around peer models has really been great for him and helped a lot. His language has really exploded since being in that environment and we are understanding him more. He still struggles with ritualistic type behaviors (I.E. opening and closing doors) and lack of pretend play among a few other things, but he's coming along. We are waiting for the official report from the assessment and for his speech assessment in December and then we will be going back to the school district to fight it out to get him more services. He really is doing well and has come a very long way. We are very grateful for his progress and all the help he got early on to get him to where he is today. It is now time to move into the next phase and be his advocates to help him go even further. Wish us luck!