First of all I apologize that it has been a while since I posted on the blog. Life can get crazy busy at times! How appropriate that I am posting about Matthew's diagnosis during Autism Awareness month.
We finally got in to see a Psychologist. Matthew was over three years old by the time we got him in. He had all the classic signs of Autism - hand flapping, nonverbal, screaming due to sensory issues like crowds and loud noises, I could go on! We saw two Psychologists, Dr. Mary Smith and Dr. Janet Hansen for his diagnosis. They evaluated him together. This process took a couple of weeks. They observed him in the classroom at his Special Needs Preschool. They videotaped some of their sessions when they were evaluating him. Besides not having very much language, he had a very hard time with separation anxiety. Every time I took him somewhere he SCREAMED and did not stop for the most part until he was with me again. There were times during his screaming fits when he would kick the teachers and therapists. Some thought it was cute. I was embarrassed.
Applied Behavior Analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning. This therapy uses techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.
Mike and I walked out of the office numb and overwhelmed. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Yes, I knew he had something going on but was not expecting an Autism diagnosis! I felt depressed but I mustered up the strength to start making calls and getting him into every therapy I could find that would help someone with Autism.
