Baby Zach
Now for some sad news: We learned last Friday that Baby Zach has autism. He is two years old now and has not yet spoken a word. He had been exhibiting some of the telltale signs of autism, so his parents have had him evaluated by various experts over the past few months and the diagnosis has been confirmed.
Zach is "globally developmentally delayed," meaning he is behind in every area of his development. There is an autism spectrum with a range of severity, and what you want to hear are the words "highly functioning." Unfortunately, Zach does not fall into that category. Apparently, three is a critical age, so he has a year to make some progress. However, if he does not start to catch up by the time he turns three, it is likely he will also be diagnosed with mental retardation (which is more common in autistic children than in the general population). It is also likely that he will need to live in a group home as an adult.
This is just heartbreaking for his parents and for the entire family. Please keep Zach and his parents in your thoughts and/or prayers.
Zach is "globally developmentally delayed," meaning he is behind in every area of his development. There is an autism spectrum with a range of severity, and what you want to hear are the words "highly functioning." Unfortunately, Zach does not fall into that category. Apparently, three is a critical age, so he has a year to make some progress. However, if he does not start to catch up by the time he turns three, it is likely he will also be diagnosed with mental retardation (which is more common in autistic children than in the general population). It is also likely that he will need to live in a group home as an adult.
This is just heartbreaking for his parents and for the entire family. Please keep Zach and his parents in your thoughts and/or prayers.
posted by Catherine at 10:16 PM
4 Comments:
That's heartbreaking, Cat. Zach and all your family is in my prayers.
I have friends who have an Autistic son, and although its challenging for them to say the least, both he and his parents are so full of love that its also very rewarding.
Love conquers all... <3
*hug* :)
Thanks, tokin! I heard something similar from a woman who has a daughter with a developmental disability -- not autism, but something along those lines. She said how devastated she was when her daughter was first diagnosed, but how much joy her daughter has brought her and how many wonderful things have happened that wouldn't have happened had their lives gone a different way.
aww, so sorry to hear that!
i have an 18 year old cousin who is autistic ... the general rule of thumb is, the sooner the diagnosis is made, the quicker they can get help so that they might reverse some of the problems ... there is lots out there now to help autistic children ... and a diagnosis at 2 can really help him live a more "normal" life in later years ...
Thanks, Saija! That is one positive in this whole thing -- the early diagnosis and the fact that they have enlisted a bevy of specialists for him so early. I sure hope he is able to make some progress in the next year.
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