Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Milestone

Alex had a Dr appt yesterday to follow up since starting Ritalin.  His Dr dropped a bombshell on me.  He is taking ASD off of Alex's list of diagnoses because he feels he is no longer exhibiting symptoms of ASD.  It wasn't a total shock since I have been told before that he does not really "seem like a kid with ASD", although no one could really pinpoint his diagnosis so the original diagnosis of ASD stuck.  It's weird, 5 years ago if you had told me this diagnosis would eventually be dropped, I would have been so relieved!  However, since then I have learned so much about ASD and that a label does not define a child.  Alex is still "different".  He is still quirky and often says things that don't make sense.  He still needs to jump and swing way more than most kids.  He still has difficulty paying attention, reading and making friends.  His "label" now is ADHD.  However, he is still the same kid who had an official diagnosis of ASD 2 days ago.  He is still funny, sweet, smart, and uniquely Alex. 

Alex is having surgery on his ears next month.  This will be plastic surgery to correct ears which are very large and stick out.  I have mixed feelings.  We are doing it on the advice of his pediatrician and his ENT who both feel it is important for his social development, since his ears are quite pronounced.  I see their point.  A child who is "different" does not need something ELSE to make him a target of bullying.  However, I am wary of general anesthesia for what is not essential surgery.  This is one of those times when my husband and I have made a decision (to go ahead with the surgery) and then pray like crazy that we made the right one. 

Happy Halloween!!

2 comments:

  1. Hey Kris- super happy that the diagnosis is coming off Alex - that is AWESOME
    Did the surgery happen already - how did it go

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  2. hey Kris - hope you and alex and the other kiddos are doing great
    Thanks for reading and commenting

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