My son.

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My own child wasn't diagnosed until that age and later, so I couldn't say, but I wonder if it's possible they're talking about the natural jump NT kids make in communication, which tends to make kids with a delay appear like they are regressing? I've never heard of an actual regression in a kid that age.

DS certainly had a nose dive in behavior around 8-9 years old because that was when the pragmatic speech deficit was exacerbated to the point that he couldn't communicate effectively, but it wasn't that he was regressing - it was that the other kids were developing. This is, actually, quite common and is (according to our psychologist) the primary reason why kids with AS start getting their diagnosis at that age.

We went to the psychologist today for the first visit and she was wonderful with my son. The center is specialized in these kinds of disorders. After observing him and talking to him and me for an hour she said she thinks its very likely he is on the autism spectrum and that they will start a thorough evaluation to diagnose and assess the grade. She said once we have a diagnose and his "weak" areas are documented we will have access to resources and help.

I'm so relieved we were taken seriously and they seemed so professional. Apparently the evaluation process is run by a child psychologist, a therapist for the parent and a medical doctor. She also asked me to take him to a speech therapist to get his speech issues evaluated.

This is good!

That is absolutely terrific news, and everything you wrote tells me you are in the right place and on the right track! Good luck, I hope things continue to improve for you!