My son has autism. There I said it. But in the beginning it was hard for me to believe, and I am not naïve, I saw his stereotypic behaviors and I knew that they were not behaviors that his peers engaged in. I told myself that he was quirky, intelligent, witty little 5 year old that preferred adults, and had a little movement issue, and was a little inflexible, and then there was his rules and before I knew it, I was in over my head..... Besides, I am the queen of denial, and my son and this diagnosis were just was not a reality. In the beginning I'd tell myself, after yet another evaluation, oh this P.H.D is wrong, he's not autistic, he just energetic, and quirky. On the way home, I'd silently scream and rage to no one to leave my boy alone! I'd stew and think, and vow that I would not conform to this "Box" and I shout when one more teacher told me that he needed to be tested that there is nothing wrong, move along, nothing to see ...and then we go home, and he would walk in circles for hours, flapping all the while explaining various rock formations that look like clouds, and so on.....
So, we are in therapy now. I was skeptical. How where they going to teach my son to use language in more of a straight forward manner. How were they going to teach him to stay on topic? He couldn't follow verbal instructions, didn't want to play with peers, and had terrible gross motor skills. Now, I am beginning to believe. I am finally seeing progress. I was overwhelmed at first by his program. They had so many goals, and so many hours scheduled. He was a trooper about it. much more brave than his mommy. But he is doing so much better now, and I am pleased. When we are in public, he no longer rocks, flaps etc, and he is very aware of his "movements" and works so hard to control them. He is writing his name very nicely and speaks in an inside voice when appropriate. The other day, in a group of 5 year olds, he sat and played with them, engaged in conversation, on topic, didn't hijack the conversation, and keep a cool, calm body even though he was excited. And he looked truly happy, just like any other 5 year old playing with his friends. So what I wanted to know from others with experience with Autism, what has worked in terms of therapy for your child? Your experience. If you have a child who is high functioning, does the improvement stop? Plateau?