Re-Evaluation

So we took Ethan back to see the child psychologist, to have his re-evaluation for his autism diagnosis. Since he was so young the last time we went in, he wanted to see us back to see if he should change his diagnosis.

Ethan was originally diagnosed with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified) Which from what we've learned, this is the "garbage can" diagnosis for kids who have autistic characteristics but not enough to meet the autism diagnosis. I don't know, it's just weird.

But anyways, Ethan is pretty much on the border of PDD & HFA (High Functioning Autism)
So his diagnosis has been changed to HFA in order to allow him to receive as much help as possible, since a lot of the kids with PDD get dropped or pushed aside, because they are believed to not have a "full" autism diagnosis.

But really it shouldn't change anything for him. His teachers are really great at working with what his needs are and a label wont change that.

When we went in to have him diagnosed, we went because we thought it would help us get more help for him, or the "right" help for him. But what we found out is, it doesn't really affect him. He doesn't get anything from the insurance companies, it doesn't help with any state funding, it doesn't get him any extra therapies. So all it really is, is a label. Which I hate. But it has brought a lot of new information to us, and we have met a lot of great people in the autism community, which is great. There are so many people out there fighting for our children, and putting on special events just so that our kiddos can have every opportunity as every other child, without all the people out there judging them, and us as parents. What amazing people! <3

There is more I could get into, about Utah and the politics, and the lack of help, but that could turn into a book, and just make me upset. So I will end here. I thought I would just make a little update, since I know a few people were curious about how the appointment went!
Thanks for all your support!