Riley is doing absolutely wonderful. We had a playdate today (that I actually arranged for his 3 year old brother before I knew Riley didn't have school this afternoon) It was so awesome. He was talking with her, playing with her, interacting. He also interacted with my friend, her mom, in a very typical way. I see it all emerging. I cannot wait. I cannot WAIT to see what these next few months have in store.

And with that, I wanted to go back and see what the diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder is and see how Riley is doing.

A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):

(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

a. marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

(I think Riley is doing well with this. His eye contact is great, he seems to respond well to my body language, and he is great at identifying emotions.)

b.failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

(This is emerging. I'd say he's close to his 3 year old brother's level with this one.)

c. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)

(I don't think we have a problem with that at all anymore)

d. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

(Also emerging.)

(2) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

a. delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)

(Never had a speech delay.)

b. in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

(He is having conversations now, though not quite at 5 year old level)

c. stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language

(This is something that's changed quite a bit, but he does still perseverate on topics)

d. lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

(Totally emerging!! He's doing great with it, and I think it will be right at age appropriate soon.)

(3) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

a. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

(Yes. Still present.)

b. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

(Nope, he's doing great with this.)

c. stereotyped and repetitive motor manners (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

(Rarely hand flaps now.)

d. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

(Occasional.)

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.