So here we are...

So sorry for not updating for so long. I blame facebook. I do all ofmy updates there but forget that some of you are not on my FB so aren't getting any updates. Now that the initial whorlwind is over I promise promise PROMISE I will be a much more diligent blogger and will update more regularly.

So, last time I left you we were awaiting the results of Jonah's EEG, MRI and for the developmental assessment to be done to see if he did indeed have autism. Turns out he does. They did the developmental test and he passed with flying colours. Passed as in, yes he does indeed meet the criteria for autism. Every single componant of the test proved that.

She tried to get him to give her a ball, he tapped it on the table and ignored her.

He had his back to her and she bounced three balls right next to him whilst calling his name. He completely ignored her.

She gave him a birthday cake and a dolly, put candles in the cake and pretended to blow them out, cut the cake and gave him a piece then put the candles back in. He banged the cake on the table and walked away.

She gave him a book with pictures of animals and asked, "Where's the cow (horse, sheep etc)? He took the book, turned it upside down then put it down and walked away.

She shone a little torch in his face, flashed it two or three times and turned it off. The aim was to get him to ask for more even if it was by throwing a tantrum. When she turned it off he simply walked away. She turned it on again, flashed it and got his attention. As soon as she turned it off he walked away.

She got his attention then pointed to me and said "Where's Mummy." He put his head down and wandered off. The same with "Where's Daddy"

There were other things but I can't remember. After this she sat us down and for a split second both Darling Husband and I thought she was going to say, "What were we thinking? There's nothing wrong with this child!" But that's not what she said.

"OK, so six weeks ago when I saw Jonah he certainly presented as a child who fitted the criteria for Autism. Today when I see him (we both thought this would be followed with, "He just doesn't fit the criteria", the way she ended the last sentence really sounded like it was going to be a "However, today he...") he certainly confirms that diagnosis."

And that was it, we were told. Our baby has autism and there is no going back from here. There is no more wondering, no more hoping, no more wishing. Jonah is autistic. And from the way he passed that test with flying colours, he's definitely not mild.

Jonah's other test results all came back clear. He does have delayed myelination in some areas of his brain but apparently this is a non specific finding and often found in people with autism.

We discussed what avenue we would take as Darling Husband and I had devised a plan that we thought would suit us and we were thrilled when our paed agreed that it was the best way forward for Jonah.

So now we start. I have spent the last week on the phone organising speech therapy, early intervention, play group, parent support, contacing various agencies for funding, contacting Centerlink to register my child as having a disability....that was hard, so very hard.

But on the other hand I also found some fantstic, amazing children who have had some really positive outcomes.

I'll leave it there for now. My head is still a mess but things are getting clearer. As I said, I promise I will be back to update again, very soon and much more regularly!