I never thought I'd be saying this, but tomorrow I'm hoping that Michael will be diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The fact of the matter is that he does have a series of autistic traits and this is not going to change, so when we go through the "Asperger Diagnostic Test" with the consultant tomorrow I want an explanation, rather than for these traits to be dismissed again. If we can have a hook to hang his behaviours on the situation will be so much easier to explain.

I know that there is a school of thought that says that we should not seek to label our children and that they are all individuals regardless. However, in our case a label will help to increase our own understanding as well as help Michael to come to terms with his condition when he is older. Lastly, it is much easier for other people to understand, rightly or wrongly, if we have a label.

In my opinion a label is a facilitator in understanding but should not be a limiting factor, lowering our expectations and aspirations. Every day our son  never fails to surprise and entertain us with hie new achievements and ideas, however small these might be. The other day, after a long, quiet period he suddenly proclaimed that if Elise wanted to go and see Milo in the Tweenies she had to slide down the big tube into the tele but he was not sure where it was! Don't tell my husband but George Clooney here I come!