Autism questions

Spockles

Hi Everyone,

I'm concerned that DS might have autism. We've started the evaluation process with the school district. He had his initial evaluation last week and a speech language pathologist is coming out to evaluate him this week, a hearing test next week and then a gross/fine motor development teacher will be coming out the following week.

I'm really worried that he will/does have autism. His speech is really lacking and words that he was saying before, he no longer says them. He just seems/acts "different." It's hard to pinpoint what it is. He doesn't act like other kids that are around his age. He often goes off by himself when around a group of other kids his age and looks so intently at weird things like a window sill or at his gym class, he likes to look at the nuts/bolts that hold the equipment together vs. climbing around on the stuff.

So my questions for parents that have a child with autism.

1-How old was DC when they were diagnosed?

2-How long of a process was it?

3-What were the signs/symtpoms that you experienced?

4-What if DS ends up having autism, then what? What happens after a diagnosis?

Thanks so much!