are on the Autistic Spectrum
It wasn't until later that I realized how out of sync Eli actually was with his peer group. Eli was in a regular school, with no services. I was looking into having him tested for learning disability. He was having a very hard time accedemically. I didn't know that he was also lagging behind socially- Eli didn't know to tell me that he didn't have any friends or that kids wouldn't play with him on the playground. One day it just all boiled over and Eli tied a shirt around his neck and tried to choke himself.
Testing Eli was very difficult because he is a wonderful mimic and he has learned many social behaviors. The school system tested him and he presented in two seperate directions: Aspergers or emotionally disturbed. Due to the strong family ties of neurological disabilities in the family we opted to call him other health impaired and place him in an Autistic Program with the best of the best looking out for him. Since the school testing Eli was properly diagnosed by a child psycologist, Dr. Diana Mobly, as PDDNOS.
Eli is doing great so far. It was a long hard battle but he made honor roll the last two nine weeks of the school year. Eli worked hard, but he did not do it on his own....he had a wonderful team standing behind him.
We have been lucky! Eli did not fall through the cracks and become that odd kid that sits in the corner by himself. Elias Kade Rannila has Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Elia Kade Rannila has friends and is learning everyday that he is a wonderful, exciting person, and I am so proud to be his mother!