The Autism Diagnosis

1987-1989 --

The Autism Diagnosis ---

The word “autism” seemed like a monster to me.

It was a small word with enormous consequences.

Joshua having fun with his younger, yet "older," brother Jeremy

During these first few years at his new special education school I continued my search for a diagnosis.  At one point, a friend of mine gave me some information on autism, and suggested I look into that.  The description of autism was the first “label” that began to make sense.  Although Joshua did not fit all of the characteristics of autism, he fit into more than half of the characteristics.

  

A definition of autism from the Autism Society of America at the time was as follows:

  

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals who are mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them (e.g., monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments). 

People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:

• Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
• Difficulty in expressing needs; using gestures or pointing instead of words
• Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
• Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason; showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
• Preference to being alone; aloof manner
• Tantrums
• Difficulty in mixing with others
• Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
• Little or no eye contact
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Sustained odd play
• Spinning objects
• Obsessive attachment to objects
• Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• No real fears of danger
• Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
• Uneven gross/fine motor skills
• Non-responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests are in normal range

(“Characteristics of Autism,” Autism Society of America, website www.autism-society.org).

At the age of 6, Joshua’s doctor confirmed this diagnosis and he was officially labeled as autistic.  Joshua did fit about more than half of the characteristics of autism, such as insistence on sameness; difficulty in expressing needs; repeating words or phrases; tantrums; unresponsive to normal teaching methods; obsessive attachment to objects; under-sensitivity to pain; no real fear of danger; noticeable physical over-activity; and uneven gross/fine motor skills. 

To go along with autism, Joshua was also diagnosed as severely mentally impaired and hyperactive.

The word “autism” seemed like a monster to me.  It was a small word with enormous consequences.  This word labeled my son, and seemed to take away hope and joy.  How was I going to raise a child with autism, a disability that the world was still struggling to understand, and a disability that I knew nothing about?  For a time, Joshua’s newly diagnosed disability and the immense effort it took to raise him felt so overwhelming and lonely.

But we had some unique and wonderful blessings with Joshua — he was happy!  He was loving!  I was thankful daily for this great blessing, because it kept me going.  I knew that even when progress was slow, and it usually was, Joshua could have a happy life.  I could take him to the park, let him play and run free — just like he wanted to — and enjoy life!  I could teach him about love and acceptance.  We could meet people and say hi and shake their hands.  I had no idea at that time how severe challenges could become even greater blessings.