So my little boy has had some delays in his development (mainly fine motor skills). He doesn't clap or point, he is currently in feeding therapy because he doesn't like to eat finger foods and we are still spoon feeding him. He will scream or cry if there are loud noises (coffee bean grinder, blender, shopvac). When I take him to the park.. like everyday, he doesn't really play with the other kids although he does watch and observe them..and he loves the swing. Also he isn't quite speaking yet, he has said about 6-7 words and is just starting to babble and you can hear him trying to talk. I was reading one woman on here, her son will hold her hand and guide her to what he wants.. and mine does that too, although when he's not home he will often be independent on his own and show me what he wants or needs help with.
The pediatrician would like to get him evaluated and I am just so emotional. I feel like I failed somehow, somewhere that he possibly has this diagnosis. I have tried to hard to make sure I have covered all of my bases and still I feel like I came up short somehow. For those that have ASD kids, can your kids have a normal life? Are they able to function? Be social? Go do regular things? My heart is breaking for my baby, and we were thinking about trying for baby #2 in the new year.. but now I am concerned I might produce another ASD child. A part of me thinks I should just treat him like he is a normal kid and not worry about it..but I would be worried about the extra stimulation of another kid in the house and not be able to focus on what my son needs.