On Wednesday, April 9th we went in for the results of Noah's evaluations. We were told that he had a lot of behaviors that look like delays and behaviors that are atypical. Enough of those atypical behaviors brought them to believe PDD-NOS(Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified) best fits Noah as a diagnosis, at this time.
PDD-NOS is on the Autism Spectrum. It's seen as the "milder" form of Autism. Although, one symptom may be milder, another may be worse. And we defiantly feel this is Noah's case. He is making great progress and his prognosis is looking good. With this diagnosis we can get him the help he needs and plan to do so in as many ways as possible. We don't want this to be a road block for him in his life.
The recommendations for Noah's treatment are:
* Birth to 3 services. This would be through the school district.
* Once he is 3, which is Aug. have him enrolled in Developmental Preschool. They hope this can be all day. I don't know if our school district offers that.
* OT, PT, and Speech therapies outside the preschool programs and therapies the school's will help with.
* Alternative communication strategies. The SLP suggested a picture book so that Noah can have an easier time communicating his needs to us thus taking the frustration out of the equation.
* Once he is 3, which is Aug. have him enrolled in Developmental Preschool. They hope this can be all day. I don't know if our school district offers that.
* OT, PT, and Speech therapies outside the preschool programs and therapies the school's will help with.
* Alternative communication strategies. The SLP suggested a picture book so that Noah can have an easier time communicating his needs to us thus taking the frustration out of the equation.
His speech is a lot better, but it's still hard to make out a lot of things he wants. This is something we had considered previously, but when the words started coming, we kind of forgot about doing. We are hoping to get this project done this week. Also, pictures of places we go and people we see. It will be a lot easier for him to go places if he knows ahead of time by pictures since explaining or telling him doesn't always work.
So if we are going to church, a picture of someone at church or a picture of the church would allow him to understand where we are heading.
So if we are going to church, a picture of someone at church or a picture of the church would allow him to understand where we are heading.
* We have a list of more specific goals for Noah to add to his IEP (Individualize Education Program). This is a plan that we and the school district come up with. These will be the things they focus most on. Examples: Helping him respond to safety words, learning body parts, increasing his complexity of his pretend play, just to name a few.
Unless anything changes dramatically for the worse, they will re-evaluate him after he has received interventions through the developmental preschool program for one year.
How are we feeling about all this?? Honestly, for both Chase and I, it hasn't changed many things. Since it first coming to our attention last summer, we have had time to process all the if's, and's and but's. We felt it fit Noah as far as a diagnosis and made sense.
With all that is going on in our lives right now and the many changes that are taking place, it's been hard to really take time to deal with how I'm feeling about it. Although, I'm sure a break down is in the near future, and if you have read this far, please be praying for me. So many things are keeping my mind occupied, but writing all this has really made me feel emotional about it. That and the fact that it's been a difficult day for Noah, which equals a difficult day for Chase and I.
Please check out the link below for more information on what we are dealing with, facing, and how you as a friend or family member can help our family and the many other families facing/dealing with Autism in their lives as well.
How are we feeling about all this?? Honestly, for both Chase and I, it hasn't changed many things. Since it first coming to our attention last summer, we have had time to process all the if's, and's and but's. We felt it fit Noah as far as a diagnosis and made sense.
With all that is going on in our lives right now and the many changes that are taking place, it's been hard to really take time to deal with how I'm feeling about it. Although, I'm sure a break down is in the near future, and if you have read this far, please be praying for me. So many things are keeping my mind occupied, but writing all this has really made me feel emotional about it. That and the fact that it's been a difficult day for Noah, which equals a difficult day for Chase and I.
Please check out the link below for more information on what we are dealing with, facing, and how you as a friend or family member can help our family and the many other families facing/dealing with Autism in their lives as well.
What it Is
Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS, for short, is a condition on the spectrum that has those with it exhibiting some, but not all, of the symptoms associated with classic autism. That can include difficulty socializing with others, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli.
How it's similar to classic autism
Those with PDD-NOS behave like those with classic autism in many ways. First, they are all different (meaning one person with PDD-NOS doesn't act exactly like another; the same holds true for classic autism). When interacting with others, they may appear unemotional or unable to speak, they could have trouble holding eye contact, or they may have trouble transitioning quickly from one activity to the next. . . . .
Most of all please continue to pray for us. We appreciate it and love you all!!
The Roper Family
