How is Robbie??

How is Robbie doing? That is a question I hear a lot. Honestly it is hard to answer. Some days he knows most of his shapes and colors, other days he can only name 1 or 2. Some nights he sleeps really well, other nights he's awake half the night running up and down the hall way. Some days his communication is decent, other days he recites movie lines all day. My husband gets upset because he says I always have great highs or terrible lows to report to him. That is the way it is right now. We have highs - where I feel incredibly hopeful and the very next day- lows where I feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath me.

We had an intake appointment at the NJ Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). After 6 months of sending in school files, doctor notes, etc- they decided to meet Robbie and assess his ability. ( really to ensure he is truly Autistic ) We arrived a few minutes early and played in the hallway. When were called into the room- there was a psychologist, social worker and nurse sitting at a long table. The psychologist was reading over Robbie's file and they all asked us questions. What differences do you notice between Robbie and his peers? I was a bit stumped by this question because at that moment Robbie was lying on the floor spinning in circles. I looked down at him and then at them and asked for more specifics. The one question that really struck hard was- can he ask for his basic needs? I have been thinking about that since we left. Not really. He is very independent and if hungry will get himself a snack. He does ask for "juice- apples" but I think I give it to him regularly as well. If we go to the lake he becomes so focused on the water he will not eat or drink anything until we're on our way home. The potty- well, we're working on that and making progress. We were told we'd get a call within the next week to let us know if we qualify. The DDD is a lifetime organization that will provide some additional services and information. It will also help him as an adult- should he need it. Needless to say- the phone rang the next day. "Robbie qualifies. You're son has serious behavioral problems." Not a comment you want to hear, but it is true. How is Robbie? We have a long road ahead.