I'm so new to this whole thing, we are going to our first specialist appt in june. WE've been working with speech and behavioral therapies since 18mo and all agree that our son is autistic, we just need the final diagnosis form the specialist to get the services ball rolling.

I dont know what to expect from autism. It terrifies me, I'm afraid that I'm going to loose my son into the depths of his own mind. Does ASd work like that, like alsheimers in that it slowly worsens until theres nothing left of the child I love so dearly? I dont care if he learns slower, or if he's weird in the eyes of strangers, I only care that he can still be the loving wonderful little sprite that I know today. That would tear my heart out is he stops being affectionate with us, I dont think I could handle it. I just want to keep telling him to stay here with me, just stay how you are and I will always be here for you. Someone please tell me what happens as they grow up, do all ASd kids disapear emotionally? It's like mourning a death right now, I cant loose my baby to this, I just cant take that and still be OK.