Ashton is 2 years and 8 months old today.
It has been over a year since he was diagnosed with Autism.
This past year has been full of developmental progress in Ashton's world! All those who come in contact with him can see this plain as day. Our previous post was an update on his last appointment we had at the CDC, and also informed of the upcoming appointment with the developmental psychologist, Dr. Natalie Roth, for today...August 27, 2008.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it is based on a numeral scale. We all fall on the spectrum, however Autism is highest on the scale. Like other children being monitored for disabilities, Ashton, has been tested by this psychologist twice now using the ADOS exam, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. This process determines where individuals lay on the spectrum. Starting with zero, 0-6 is where we are considered "normal", we all have quirks and differences from one another...and even if we don't feel "normal" at times..., speaking in spectrum terms, we are. Then, there are the numbers 7-11. This is where people are diagnosed as having a "spectrum disorder". Lastly, anything above a 12 on the scale is Autism, the closer to twelve the milder the case. Last year when Ashton was tested, as you may remember, he scored a 13...as having mild Autism. At that time Dr. Roth explained that with Early Intervention and different therapies, progress on the spectrum could be reduced 4 to even 6 numbers on the scale, which would put Ashton as being in the "spectrum disorder" range. Today I report with tear-filled eyes that Ashton has recovered from Autism scoring a 3 today! A three, not 4, 5, or 6 in the normal range, but a 3!
Everything that my son has stood for since even before his time on this earth has been nothing short of a miracle! Who is this kid and what important things is he here to teach us? Hooray! We have worked so hard and Ashton has responded to every resource available with progress! The best thing I heard today was Dr. Roth say that she has only seen maybe 1 other case where there has been this much progress and recovery! I understand that this may not be possible for all Autism cases, but the potential and resources available for working towards recovery is endless!
For the rest of the appointment we discussed how there is a issue with speech. She said that by now there should be more improvement with his speech and language to have it still be considered a "delay", so with how things stand now he would fall into the category of having a disorder. Actually, we met earlier this month with a speech therapist who diagnosed him with a mild to moderate receptive and expressive language disorder, which we are now already in weekly therapy for. Thoughts from both the therapist and psychologist are that he will catch back up in this area as well and will continue a "normal" life in regular school. For now he still qualifies with his speech to continue in his Early Intervention Program. He remains there until he turns three, then will move into an integrated preschool where there are children like him along with other peer models. Once there he will continue to work on speech and prepare for main-streamed kindergarten.
As far as further resources go, Dr. Roth is changing his diagnoses to "possible PDD", Pervasive Developmental Disorder, showing that he is still being monitored because of his history with Autism. However, she also told us that she hesitates even putting the "possible PDD" label in his chart because she believe he doesn't have it, but this way resources will still be available to him throughout the following year and he can keep benefiting from them. We are to meet with Dr. Roth again in a year for a final analysis just to make sure no new issues have appeared.
I am so happy for my boy! Thank you friends, family, teachers, doctors, therapists and strangers for your efforts in Ashton's behalf! It definitely takes a village to raise a child...and a informed world to reverse Autism!
Autism Speaks. It's time to Listen.
