shining light

After months (years?) of testing and evaluations from various sources we finally have a diagnosis for Carter.

He has anxiety disorder (not specified) and oppositional defiance disorder (ODD). In addition he has sensory processing disorder.

I'm not sold on ODD for him because if you are a nearly five year old with anxiety that likely stems from sensory processing and a speech delay, you may appear to have ODD. Makes sense right? In truth it's likely his reaction while he is trying to make sense of everything around him. The sensory processing breaks my heart. He has to try SO much harder to process and keep it together every day then say you or I. I can't imagine how he must feel.

On the flip side, I am very hopeful that he will learn to cope with his triggers as he gets older and it will get easier for him.

His speech is still not well so he will continue his speech therapy for this year and all of Kindergarten next year. If that would get easier for him I imagine other aspects of his life would improve. I can see how frustrating it is for him to try to explain something but his words don't come out quite right.

He is currently receiving speech at school. They also recommend OT for his sensory processing and therapy for the anxiety so we've got a good game plan in place.