JUST TO CLARIFY what ASD is
ASD encompasses disorders formally known as Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD-NOS, Aspergers, Retts Syndrome, Childhood Disintigrative Disorder, and Autistic disorder (Autism). In May of 2013 the American Psychiatric Association, who is responsible for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or DSM-5, (which is what doctors refer to when diagnosing a child with any Autism scale disorder) changed their guidelines on the diagnosis of these Autism Scale Disorders.
"In a nutshell, effective with the release of DSM-5 in May 2013 we will change the way we describe autism-related disabilities to the singular “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Clients will no longer be diagnosed as having “autism” versus “PDD-NOS” or “Asperger Syndrome” as all of these different classifications will officially go away. However, individuals with ASD will be referred to as having one of three severity levels....iindividuals whose “severity” falls outside the bandwidth of these three levels but who exhibit significant social communication challenges will then possibly be diagnosed as having “Social Communication Disorder.” " (for more information see http://www.socialthinking.com/what-is-social-thinking/michelles-blog/559-dsm-my-thoughts) (charts at the bottom of the page help greatly)
This new system may or may not change the state funded services your child is eligible to receive, and it may also change the diagnosis of your child; however, don't fret, a simple call to your specialized doctor or pediatrician can help you understand what that means going forward for your child. It is going to be a bit of a paradigm shift, but the more we ask questions the more we will understand!
A couple of great websites I've found to help understanding of ASD (pre manual change of May 2013) are: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Autism.htm and of course http://www.autismspeaks.org/ These will help you clarify and define the "WHAT IS THIS," part of your questions, but hopefully this blog will help you understand the "WHAT IS TO COME," questions that I'm sure you are asking yourself daily if not hourly.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Forward! Sounds silly I know, but we as parents can't change our children or the ways they learn. We can only nurture our special little humans in ways that cater to their specific social, emotional, behavioral and learning needs. That means we are going to need help, and LOTS of it. This means you will be introduced into a gamut of terms, therapists, insurance battles, and lets face it, heart breaks that are new and difficult to understand. Thats where I come in. I want to help you understand what your child is entitled to in the state and education systems, what insurance companies should cover and how to fight them, and where to look for help when you need it. I'm also going to try to provide you with the emotional support you need to get through this because, lets face it, it can be a struggle somedays to maintain the patience and composure our child needs from us to learn and grow (at least I feel like it's extra difficult some days!)
WHAT IS THE BLOG ABOUT
Much of this blog will be about my daily struggles as a mother of a child who has ASD with a little bit about how I have learned to cope with and manage my perfect little girl's special specific needs. There will also be guest bloggers who are doctors, occupational therapists, speech therapists, education system experts, geneticists, and most importantly OTHER PARENTS, just like us, who can offer wisdom and support to our little people and of course to US.
My hope is to reach out and help parents who don't know where to turn or where to begin with their child. I want parents from all over the nation and world to be able to talk to one another through my blog and maybe even make a friend or two. Support is the key, you are not alone, and I am here as well as the rest of the bloggosphere to provide you with the love and answers you needs. You can do this, we can do this, together- everyday-one step at a time.
Please share my blog, let others know it exists. Even if you don't personally have a child with ASD or other social communication disorders, by sharing this on your blog, facebook, or twitter it may reach someone who you know and love that isn't quite ready to share this personal scary information about their child with the world- These are the ones who need this blog and the support the most!
Thx
McCall
