A Little More FOCUS

A few months back, Millie had her 18 month appointment and well baby check.  I had a few concerns that I brought up with her doctor.  Mostly it was her speech, or lack of it.  She didn't have any words other than mamma, dad dad, and Will Will.  Duncan was said Bubub and Gunk-en, and she couldn't say her own name.  When trying to form words she would often watch our mouth's and mimic the look, but the wrong sound would come out.  Instead of  Moo, for a cow sound,  She would say Teee or iiiib or something equally completely off, despite the correct mouth position.
It took a long time to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.  Life has been busy for everyone, and school was just starting up again, so appointment times were limited.  She is now nearly 21 months and had her evaluation today.


I almost cancelled the appointment.  I had convinced myself that she was actually much better.  Since her 18 month appointment she had been more chatty.  She was expressing her needs and feelings and even starting to pick up on a few words that were very audible.  We have also seen a great increase in interests.  For instance everything lately has been "orca, orca."  In the last week "orca" has been whittled down to the actual animal as well as any aircraft.
The group, FOCUS, comes over to your home for a few hours to do the evaluation in a familiar environment.  They test in quite a few areas to get a broad spectrum of condition and need. They send someone from speech as well as someone for motor skills and such. It was all pretty easy and comfortable. The baby slept through most of it.  Duncan had some jealousy issues at first, but eventually he understood that it was for Millie.  I thought that she did exceptionally well.  She said all of her words and responded to the ladies really well.
As it turned out, Millie didn't do to well.  She has pretty good fine motor skills and she does well socially for the most part.  She lacks in correct communication.  She might have a problem with her eyesight as well as hearing.  Both need re-tested.  She scored low enough that they have her down as borderline, and high functioning Autistic.
That last line is significant. Shocking. Scary.  Sad.  Confusing.  Maddening.  and many other expressive emotional words that I just refuse to type.
After a day of reflection and education, I am not that worried.  Testing will be done again in a few weeks and some therapy will be done a few times a day, everyday, until then.  I refuse to let a diagnosis be made until it is certain.  I also refuse to let a diagnosis change her life in any negative direction.
I am confident that with some extra love and prayers we will all be right where we are supposed to be.  Regardless of where that turns out to be.