spazurek, I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I thought you ought to know someone is pitting you.
I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt that you didn’t mean anything by this comment. I did want to point out, however, that people with autism (or any other disability, for that matter) are not “defective.”
It’s this mindset, whether real or perceived, that keeps some children from getting the help they need. Consenting to an evaluation is not an admission that a child needs to be “fixed.” It’s simply a way for public agencies to identify the tools that a child needs to function in society. Similarly, special education is not about “curing” a child and making him something he’s not.
spazurek, I can tell that you love your son dearly. It’s heartbreaking for a parent to hear that a child might have a disability. However, I honestly believe that the best course of action is for you to get Andrew tested. It’s quite possible that he’s a typically developing 2-year-old. If, however, he does have a condition on the autism spectrum, early intervention services could be critical to how he functions later in life.
This site contains information about North Carolina’s Infant and Toddler Program. Whether you decide to have your little boy evaluated is completely up to you and your wife. Just remember that Andrew will always be Andrew, regardless of whether he has a disability.
Noted, thanks.