How Do You Know?

My son was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified or PDD-NOS shortly before his 3rd birthday. For those of you not familiar with that condition, it is on the autism spectrum. Below are some of the signs we saw as he grew that lead us to seek a diagnosis.

Extremely fussy infant: cried excessively for extended periods of time.

Did not respond positively to cuddling or snuggling as an infant.

Preferred to be left alone in his crib, play pen or swing.

Seemed oblivious to his surroundings.

Delayed rolling over: accomplished at about 6 months.

Delayed walking: accomplished at about 16 months.

Delayed talking: used mostly nouns describing objects, unable to communicate wants or needs through words until 3 years.

Obsessed over particular toys: carried them everywhere, slept with them, kept them in his hands at all times, refused to share.

Walked on his toes until 4.

Repeatedly banged his head on furniture and walls.

Purposefully crashed into walls, furniture and the floor.

Flapped his hands repeatedly.

Developed severe food sensitivities and aversion to certain food textures.

Developed severe eczema.

Easily frustrated.

Frequent tantrums involving kicking, screaming and banging his head on the floor.

Unable to calm himself from tantrum or crying.

Attachment to mother only.

None of these symptoms alone really mean anything serious, but all of them together can mean autism. We chose to seek a diagnosis because we wanted to know what we were dealing with, what we had to fight to make sure our child was able to be everything he was meant to be. We immediately went to work doing everything we could do to increase his chances at an independent adulthood, and every day we see progress and hope. To quote Temple Grandin, he’s different but not less.