Do You See What I See?

Sigh. Its been one of those days. The kind where I feel like I've got to be completely crazy. We had an appointment scheduled to have him assessed for RDI, a relationship-based intervention. He has been thriving so well in his school program, but we have no idea what next year will hold. Obviously one never does, but since the school plans to mainstream him in a regular kindergarten class, I've got to have something to work with. Oh, and then there's the summer break. Roughly 9 weeks with the only structure being whatever Mama can come up with.

So with little brother in tow, he and I arrive on time -- for once! -- for our 10 o'clock appointment. We spend the next hour defying every rule, spoken and otherwise, of waiting room protocol. Fortunately, save for an 8 year-old with (I'm guessing) Asperger's, we were the only people there. As time ticks on, I become activity coordinator for my two boys and the 8 year-old, inventing whatever game comes to mind that can remotely be accomplished with two boys on the Spectrum and a two year-old.

An hour and 15 minutes after our appointment time, the 8 year-old's frazzled parents emerged from the consultation room. The gal we were scheduled to see apologizes -- though I was still left confused as to what happened --and ushers my son into her "play room." Half an hour later, they return smiling. She sits and begins to gush over his intelligence and abilities, repeatedly remarking how baffling it is that he received such a diagnosis as autism. I smile and nod and say, "Wow, that's great" whenever she describes an apparently diagnosis-defying response or behavior. Obviously, the "news" that he is capable of such "normal" behavior is gratifying, but inside I am discouraged. Once again I am left feeling discounted and, well, crazy. I realize that these times will happen, that if this woman spent a week -- even a day -- with my son, she would probably change her mind.

I guess its probably a bit of a let down for me, as his teachers have been so affirming. They never give me the impression that my son hs been misdiagnosed. But then, they spend 5+ hours with him a day. All this lady gave him was a half an hour, an hour and a half after he was scheduled to have it. Then she told me that at this point the best thing to do would be to meet again, just us parents and herself, so we can describe to her our concerns. Sigh. We already turned in eight pages of "concerns" and met with her for an hour two weeks ago. What more can I say?? If she can't see it, she can't see it. Door closed.

Note: To those of you who commented that you don't mind reading the bad news, I won't disappoint! But really, I do hope (and earnestly pray!) that it won't always be so.

Another note: Since I have soo much free time on my hands, I am creating a "sister" blog (get it??) regarding our adoption. http://tuesdayadoption.blogspot.com/ Its only an empty template as of today, but I hope to start posting news about our progress very soon. Really.