Logan has a "299.00 Autistic Disorder." I've been trying to find out what that means. The good news is that he can self-regulate and doesn't throw tantrums. He loves to be cuddled. He has shifted from fixation on objects to preferring our company, tho' he still doesn't reciprocate socially, verbalize, pretend play, or make eye contact. He does like to laugh and smile a lot, tho.

[from sister] Lori Jurkovic jonathan,299.00 Autistic Disorder is a diagnostic code from the DSMIV. The DSMIV is what everyone in the mental/behavioral/psychiatric health field uses to code diagnoses. You can google DSMIV 299.00 and it might come up, otherwise get a copy of the dsmiv; a mini one will do and you'll see it has several critereon that have to be met to make the diagnosis. It won't tell you the prognosis or treatment. It will just tell you what the person who diagnosed him felt that he has by meeting several of the necessary criteria for the diagnosis. The spectrum of autism is huge/ wide and still myterious. You will do well to not get bogged down by a diagnosis; Logan is Logan. He can go as far as he can go and you won't know how far that is because he isn't there yet. He is a delightful, loving, wonderful, darling child who is very special and sensitive. He may not be the same as other kids, but then you weren't and I wasn't either. Keep being the wonderful, enrichng Dad that you are and just blow right through the diagnosis. He's your Logan

[from friend] Becky Neyhard White I spent almost 2 years doing 7-hours-a-day one-on-one work with kiddos with autism, ages 3-10, at a school for kids with autism and other developmental disorders...they're such wonderful little ones who often see the world in ways the rest of us can only glimpse at. I miss that work. It sounds like you and Logan's mom are getting involved with his development early on, which is the best way for him to make the most progress. I second what Lori said above about the diagnosis. The diagnosis is above all just a label so that Logan can access state and federally funded resources now. I don't know how much info I can offer but if you have questions, I'm happy to share what I learned from my experiences with my students. 

Starting pre-school

4/2/10
Logan said bye-bye several times and waved to Rob Moore and his girls this evening. He and Audrey laughed and splashed each other in the tub at bath time (they were both saying "nice," as in "be nice"). He has been saying cracker, cake, and other words lately. He requested a cookie without any prompting tonight. These are mini break-thrus.

4/20/10
Logan starts pre-school tomorrow: he finally got approved for therapy 6 hours/day on weekdays. He's been quite happy lately, saying the word "happy" and calling Mandy "mama" again. They say we will see dramatic changes in him right away.

4/28/10
Logan is right now enjoying a peanut butter sandwich dipped in Ranch dressing...

Logan has started napping at pre-school and is showing other signs of getting settled in there. He is getting better at climbing (onto his castle slide at home, onto the sofa, over the mini bridge in the yard), so coordination is improving. More abstract things will come after he masters more motor skills. Baby steps...

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