Agreed @A MyAutismTeam Member, sometimes i feel like autism is a "blanket diagnosis." like so many other things, autism means something different to everyone. So many kids have other features that are not really considered, like the individuals who have GI issues, or seizures, that aren't really considered autistic features, yet affect a great many on the spectrum. I wish instead of broadening the diagnosis, it could be narrowed.

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A MyAutis...

You sound like a wonderful, involved and concerned, (and a little overwhelmed) very loving parent.

support groups are a wonderful help, and parents can learn from each other. Best of luck, there are lots of us out here :)

Thank you everyone! @A MyAutismTeam Member thats my son's greatest needs also. I have learned so much in the last few months it's hard to believe. I've been so busy with researching & trying to figure programs in my area for him that I haven't even looked into any support for myself. I honestly would feel bad for doing so because I feel like I would be making it about me, & not about him. If that makes any sense. I would love to find someone in the area that even had any idea what I'm going through though. Everyone around me just doesn't understand that I want to help him as much as possible & know everything I possibly can do for him to make it easier. Seems like everyone around here thinks I should just call these people & say ok to whatever they say, but with researching I've learned so much that I should or could be doing that no ones even bothered to mention. It's very frustrating. I just want what's best & it's so hard not knowing what is.

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A MyAutis...

Hugs to you, I remember those days. My son's greatest needs were in speech, social skills and OT. The gains he made were amazing, especially when they are young. I hope you will be astounded in your son's progress. Take lots of deep breaths and ask your son's therapists questions. You will learn a new language of things you didn't know existed, sensory issues, fine and gross motor skills, expressive language. You need extra processing time too. Get yourself some support too

Our developmental pediatrician told me that the reason my DD's diagnosis was HFA rather than Asperger's was the speech & language delay. I originally thought my DD was "too social" to have autism before I understood how ASD can present in HFA girls.