What Next?

What Next ?

I was much calmer when my husband arrived at the hospital to pick us up. I didn't know how to tell him about the diagnosis. He had not read as much as I had about Autism and still held out the hope that Alyon was okay. "His eye contact is okay. He's just hyper."

Back home, in the privacy of my home, I broke the news to him. He found it so hard to accept. He suggested getting a second opinion. I just shook my head. I immediately contacted a Church friend who also had an ASD child and she passed me reading material and advice. She was a great help. I read as much as I could and everything became so clear now once I had accepted the diagnosis. It was a whole new world with a whole new vocabulary.
Sensory Integration, Triad of disorders, Theory of Mind . I had a lot to learn. I had to take action fast. I had to help my son. I read that the optimum period for Early Intervention was up till the age of 6. After that, the progress would be slow. Alyon was already 4. There was no time to lose.

Note to Parents

Parents,do not go into denial if you have received a diagnosis.
Seek a second opinion if you must but take action because you are the only one who can help your child. The faster, the better. Fathers, especially seem to find it harder to accept but Mums who are helping their child can help by explaining what action they are taking and how its going to help the child. 

Contrary to popular opinion, they do not "grow out of it". They do not "get better" with time. They only improve through intervention. Its so important that your child gets all the help he can. And it will make your life better too. I have seen parents go into denial and after that depression because their child "did not grow out of it"