Making it Official

Over the course of this past year, we have been operating under the assumption that Binker has autism. All of the signs and symptoms are there, and it seems to be the general consensus of two pediatricians, his speech therapist, the school's child psychologist, as well as Binker's preschool teachers. The reason we don't have an official diagnosis yet is because the process of getting one is a little more involved than just one appointment with your child's regular practitioner, it usually requires multiple appointments with specialists in the topic.

Last April, Binker's pediatrician referred us to the Autism Center at Seattle Children's Hospital. We were told it would be about a six month wait before we could expect to get an appointment. September rolled around, and then October. No phone call. November and December passed, and I honestly assumed the hospital had forgotten about us. 

I really wasn't concerned. In fact, I really didn't care. From what I'd been told, getting a diagnosis with them would be just that - a diagnosis. A label. They probably wouldn't offer us any new services, they would simply tell us what we already knew, and send us on our way.

And then, last week, they called me.

Nine months after I initially contacted them, we finally have an appointment for this Wednesday.

I decided to go ahead with it for a few reasons. I know that at some point down the line we will probably need proof of his condition to continue receiving his private services through our health insurance. Also, it will be important to show the military, so that we can ensure our family will never be transferred out of the country, so that Binker always has access to the best therapies and schools. I didn't feel like turning down this appointment, only to have to wait another nine months later on down the road.

I have mixed feelings about the appointment this week. On one hand, I am anxious. I would love to go there, and have them say Binker is developing typically and that they have no concerns whatsoever that he is on the spectrum. I know that won't happen. 

So, I am preparing myself to be told the obvious. And in that way, I am looking forward to what they have to say. I know it may be several appointments before they are able to tell us anything substantive, but when they do, I am looking at it as being more information we will have about our son, and how we can work with him and help him. Hopefully they will tell us we are on the right path, and perhaps they will have suggestions of additional things we can do.

Either way, it should be interesting to see how this all plays out, and exactly what the evaluation and diagnosing process involves. I'm sure this will be an interesting part of our journey, stay tuned.