Much to be thankful for...

Last week, we saw the pediatric neuropsychologist that originally diagnosed Jaxon with PDD-NOS at 19 months. We were scheduled for a follow-up in February, but someone cancelled at the last minute and so we jumped at the chance to get in to see her. As it happened, D.R. had the day off, so we were both able to attend.

The appointment was to be four hours of autism-specific testing, followed by another appointment of developmental screening. After about two hours, the doctor stopped the testing and told us that there was no need to go any further. She said she was removing the medical diagnosis and that we had a very typical, imaginative and spirited (or strong-willed...difficult... pick your adjective!) three-year old. I'm sure I don't need to go into just how powerful that moment was. When I think of how devastating our first meeting with her was... how much fear we lived with over the past year and a half... all the phone calls, research, therapies, waiting lists... the prayers and hopes and celebrations...

This was the heaviest burden I've ever had to carry and to have it lifted in such a way... just a few days before this holiday of Thanksgiving... was so fitting.

Never would I have imagined how happy I would be to have someone tell me I have a stubborn little three year old! Now, I just need the continued patience to help him deal with his constant need to be the boss of everyone around him, his difficulty in dealing with frustration/disappointment and the intensity that accompanies all of his emotions.