Just popping in to introduce myself to this thread.
Aidyn has Autism. He was diagnosed in early Sept this year (aged 4). He is classed as High Functioning. Funnily a multidisciplinary assessment 6 weeks prior to the paed assessment, said he displayed no signs of ASD. *sigh*
But anyway, I do agree with the diagnosis. Aidyn's rigidity and anxiety can be fairly pronounced...
Since getting the diagnosis we have made heaps and heaps of progress.
He has been attending a Early Childhood Development Unit 2 days a week, which he will continue next year as a split placement with prep. They are fantastic there, with a ratio of 7 student to 2 teachers! They teach the kids basic socialising skills, and structure their days so well that the kids just thrive. Aidyn particularly has done SO well attending this program, whereas at his community kindy he was just getting lost, as it was so unstructured.

Um, I have recently set up a visual aid system for home, which is really really helping too. So we have gone from having a tantrum or meltdown about any minor thing (such as breakfast or getting dressed) to only a couple (or NO) tantrums per day.

It has been a hard 6 months for him, as me and XP seperated in May this year, and we have moved house a few times, and he has been staying back and forth between us, and also had a few months period without seeing his dad at all. So I am very proud of him for coping with all of these upheavals.

Anyway, I need to read through this thread properly, then come back to add more replies later!

Christy - I mentioned in another thread (not sure if you saw) if you need any visual aid pictures, feel free to ask, cause I have a whole CD worth, and more....
Hang in there hon...