Okay...there we go.
So...the purpose of this whole thing is to track our progress as we enter the whole world of autism.
We're actually beyond the point of entering. We've arrived.
I hope it's able to keep friends and family updated on everything as well.

So - let's catch up.
Cuyler James Coleman was born on Wedesday November 13, 2002. He weighed 7lbs, 7ozand was 20inches long (and don't think that "Wednesdays Child is Full of Woe" didn't cross my mind - even after 23 hours of labour).
Cuy was born with the cord around his neck 4 (yes - FOUR) times...no vitals, born blue, born flat - however you want to say it...he needed resucitation. But he bounced back real quick and there were no major concerns.
We brought him home the next day to a very excited big brother Cam, who is 19months older.

When he was 5mos old we saw Parent Infant Program - they were following him because of his delivery. We met our developmental consultant and occupational therapist (I typed their names in - then backspaced them...am I allowed to name names on this thing?)

Anyways - everything was A-Ok for a few months. Then I started seeing things I didn't like. Namely his eye contact and engagement. Around the 11mo mark I began thinking the A word. But was reassured by everyone the he was "just fine". Dr's, therapists...and Sean, of course.
He had delays, but they were within the normal range. The gap increased on his delays between 18 - 20mos.
The big delays were language - I still don't know why I was the only one who was concerned when his receptive scored lower than his expressive . . .
Once he turned 2, we saw 2 ped's, and a developmental pediatrician. He was tested for Fragile X . . . waiting for those results - not fun. Even worse was getting the blood out of his arm. Thank God for big brave Daddies! (even those who are in denial)
So . . . no FragileX - PHEW . . . I was relieved for about 3 seconds. Then thought "Okay...not Fragile X - what is it?!?!?!?"
The 2 peds said they didn't think he was on the spectrum (the Autism Spectrum - for those unfamiliar). . . I knew better and their words did nothing to reassure me of my fears.
So we finally get to Erinoak (childrens development centre). The DevPed says she thinks he's mild on the spectrum.
For some reason - it devastated me to hear her say that. I so did not want to be right about this.
A month after our 1st appt with the DevPed, she does the evaluaton/assesment on him.
He scores high...not good. He actually scored into the moderate/severe range. Not even ASD (autism spectrum disorder). This thing is telling me he's autistic. FUCK!
Why, since I have been telling people this for over a year, did this diagnosis shake my world to it's core???? I sobbed so hard in the van after the appt that I could not breath. Poor Sean. He had to be strong for me - even though he had to come further than me. I knew in my heart what we were dealing with. He had to accept that Cuy was a bit more than just delayed in speech.
He reminded me that the severity of the diagnosis will get him more services. And we know that he has so many amazing skills that he just didn't bring with him that day. Bugger.
That was May '05.
Here we are a short 2 mos later and things are really taking off for him. I haven't mentioned the sporadic speech therapy he's rec'd and the wait lists he's been on for services. So much waiting. In the next few weeks and months, we are going to be busy. Finally things are really moving!!
He starts a Community Intervention Program on Tuesday (CIP). I drop him off for 2 hrs for intensive work (speech, behaviour and occuapational therapy) in a childcare setting. This is 3x per week for 6 weeks. Once that program is finished, he starts daycare - holy crap!!!! And we should be resuming regular speech therapy as well.
Sean and I have hired a physio/occupational therapist to come into our home and train us on a mode of therapy called "Floortime". Very excited about that!
I can't forget to mention the GlutenFree/CaseinFree diet that he's been on for about 2mos now. A tough diet to follow - but we're seeing some nice changes. The words are starting...single words and repetetive/imitative - but he's gotta start somewhere!! And he sleeps thru the night finally! It only took 2.5 years!
I'm gonna call it a night on this thing now. I've moved from the basement to bed and I'm tired. Hopefully this was enough to catch you up so far and I can start writing about our daily events.

And not just about Cuyler, but our family life in general. Cams love of Green Day and The Killers, his summer mini-camp, his preparation for junior kindergarten. Cuyler's love of water and anything that he can turf across the room (or at Cams head) (or at Seans privates), my ongoing saga of what to do with my life beyond stay-at-home-motherhood and Seans constant calming effect on all of us as a whole (I know that's lame...I wasn't sure what else to put for him)

K - done!
Keep well and thanks for reading!
Christine