Likely development impairment, positive stories please

[Luckydog7]

I've just spent the last hour crying uncontrollably after a joint meeting with the health visiting team, senco, teacher and our salt specialist. My beautiful DS5 is testing 2-3 years behind, struggling with all subjects, severe speech delay/disorder. They are looking to defer him starting year one, so to redo reception.

It wasn't unexpected, i've known something was up since he was a year old but it's different hearing it said out loud. I can't get through to my husband on the phone to talk to him.

I have friends and family with special needs kids, now young adults and every one of them has had a horrendous time. Bullying, employment issues, in one case prison after a sex crime. I'm terrified for him. Its stupid because he's only 5 and I have no idea how much of a difference all the support will make, he might live an almost normal life or he might never be independent, I don't know, this is the problem really.

I would love to hear from those of you who were in a similar place and how things went. Were the concerns unfounded? If they were justified how did your child get on in life, how are they doing now?

Thanks so much, i'm just in pieces. I'm seeking professional help for myself before anyone says.

I’m sorry OP, I don’t have a lot of experience but didn’t just want to read and run.

The fact that you are worrying shows how much you care, and the love and effort you are going to invest into your DS will make a huge impact on him. Just because he isn’t developing typically it does not mean that he will be behind forever or that he won’t have a happy life.

Thanks, i'm feeling a bit better after my cry. His birthday present just arrived in the post (a fluffy toy he will love) which helped. I think I have been coping by telling myself he will grow up and be fine. Each of these talks I have with professionals, strips away a little more hope that he can have a normal life.

He's amazing, i fear for him and the worlds reaction to him mostly, he's a sensitive soul.

He will still develop and surprise you with what he can do. The feelings of pride are just the same, they just come about at different times and in different ways.

my little boy is autistic and just imitated something I did totally out of the blue! He never does this. Made my heart melt.

Haha, that's sweet. My son who has never been interested in music at all has recently started singing to us, happy birthday usually, its a mess but gorgeous. He can do some awesome dance moved too!