Definitely 'AUT'. Much easier to get this label in the preschool years and they make you change from 'DD' in first grade (I think) anyway.

Take the autism label and run with it. I've never heard a parent say they regret getting too much services/therapy.

The PAC class is much better than the 1/2 day non cat preschool class.

Bump

Definitely autism will get you more services. It is hard to get speech and OT with only a developmental delay. You are going to have to fight for everything anyhow, this strengthens case for services. The county does not hand out hand AUT label easily or freely, take it!

My son was evaluated by Child Find when he was 2 1/2 and the review panel highly suspected autism, although DH and I weren't ready to accept that label. We did agree to "developmental delay" and due to the severity of his "delays", we decided to enroll him in PAC at the suggestion of the Child Find panel. PAC was wonderful for him and he improved enough to enter a 1/2 day non-cat classroom. He is now in Kindergarten with an IEP for autism (Asperger's Syndrome) and spends most of the day in a regular classroom with some pull-out services.

In our experience, you don't necessarily have to agree to the diagnosis of autism to get services. I'm still not 100% sure what my son's condition should be called because he doesn't meet all of the criteria. He definitely is not typical, though. He is very bright, friendly, and outgoing - but extremely quirky. He marches to his own drummer.

DS is lucky that we didn't have to push to get services at all. In fact, we were initially offered so much more than we really thought necessary at the time, but we accepted all of the services that were offered. I'm so grateful now for everything we received.

In summary, I don't think the label really matters as much as how his traits impact his ability to function in an educational setting.

I'm going to disagree just a little bit here. My daughter was initially diagnosed with DD by a developmental pediatrician and the county, even though the various reports and observations all included "autistic tendencies" We all knew or strongly suspected she was autistic, and we pushed for her to get into PAC as soon as she was of age (2+). Instead, she was put into non-cat preschool for 1/2 days UNTIL we received a diagnosis of autism, and only then was she moved into PAC. It could be that she would have moved eventually based on performance against IEP, but that would have taken several months.

I agree with the PPs that it's really not about the diagnosis but what the child needs. A diagnosis doesn't automatically get you anything. The child can qualify for services if he is impacted in two different areas - in the case of my DS, it's LD and OHI (both related to the ADHD). But, the related services he receives are based on the speech/OT evals and the number of pull out instructional hours are based on his what the IEP team estimated were required to get him up to at least grade level. THe also could have qualified for services under developmental delays but two years ago (I think it was two years), VA changed the law regarding the maximum age a child could be considered developmentally delayed for educational purposes. It used to be 9 years of age and now it is 6. If you go with the developmental delay diagnosis, by the time your DC hits third grade, it will not make him eligible for services.

Which diagnosis most accurately describles your child? My child is ADHD and has some learning disabilities. I asked the same questions at the IEP meeting and was told that it is more about what accomodations she needs to be sucessful which can be the same for either code. At the next IEP meeting, we will probably switch her to learning disability in math since it more accurately discribes her. Her ADHD is pretty much under control.

22:37- Usually this forum is snark free. I am the OP. I ask because I was told those mildly on the spectrum could go with either label and I am wondering what the pros and cons are. Most importantly, I want to know which will get my child the most services to ensure reaching full potential and having a positive school experience.

Are you diagnosis shopping?

Its not as easy as just getting a diagnosis. It depends on what your child's needs are and how old the child is.

Developmental Delay or Autism?