Today marks 6 years since Jonah was officially diagnosed with autism.
I remember feeling so apprehensive when I signed him up to be evaluated. I had not come to terms with the possibility that my child could be autistic. I had actually come up with a number of different reasons why he WASN’T autistic.
But as time passed… it became more apparent that Jonah wasn’t “typical.” He started preschool and he really struggled. There was a specialized program at a neighboring school specifically designed for preschoolers with autism, but we couldn’t get in…
…because we didn’t have an official diagnosis. We were still on waiting lists for an evaluation.
So we waited… and Jonah struggled. His teachers struggled. He had a TOUGH time.
When we finally received Jonah’s autism diagnosis later that year, we immediately transferred schools, and enrolled him in a specialized program where Jonah’s development TOOK OFF. He had a teacher and 2 paras who were very good with him, and he made so much progress…
So, if you are wondering if your child may be autistic… get your child on the waiting list to be evaluated for autism.
If you are unsure if the developmental delays are “typical” or related to “something else…” get your child on the waiting list to be evaluated for autism.
If you don’t think it is really developmental delays, and your child is just behind a little bit… get your child on the waiting list to be evaluated for autism.
If you are unsure how you feel about your child and “autism…” If you don’t want to “give your child that label…” If you don’t even want to CONSIDER a neurological or behavioral abnormality at this point… get your child on the waiting list to be evaluated for autism.
Here’s why…
I had Jonah evaluated for autism a month after his 3rd birthday. I got on as many waiting lists as possible. It took 9 months before we heard back from anyone, and the only reason we got in was because of a cancellation for which we were ALSO on a waiting list.
Yes. There is even a “cancellation” waiting list, and when your name comes up, you have to just “drop everything and go.”
We were fortunate to be able to get his diagnosis at 3 years old because, that age is a critical phase for speech and behavioral development, and with his diagnosis, we were able to get the services he needed.
So how long would we have had to wait, if we did not get that cancellation call?
Well, it’s hard to say, but I later received a call from another major children’s hospital saying they had an opening for Jonah to be evaluated for autism.
Yeah. That call was earlier this year… That’s how long their waiting list is.
Jonah was 2 when I submitted his information for that evaluation.
He just turned 9 years old last month.
I always tell parents, “Get them on the waiting lists now. You can worry, and fret, and doubt, and go through all those emotions after that.
You aren’t “acknowledging your child might be autistic” by getting them on a waiting list to be evaluated for autism. You are taking proactive steps while you consider all possibilities for your child’s development.
You will have PLENTY of time to decide if you want to even address or pursue the “possibility” of autism. And then, if it turns out you don’t need or want the evaluation, you can always cancel.”
Because if it turns out they need autism-related services and early intervention, some of those services can ONLY be received with an official autism diagnosis. And even getting an evaluation might be YEARS out
SIX YEARS is a LONG developmental window to miss.
