How Autism has effected my life

I guess September is another autism awareness month. I know April is the big A month but it doesn't hurt to have another one:) Before February of this year I had very little knowledge of autism and it's spectrum. I had watched Parenthood and knew what Aspergers was, but didn't even know it was covered under the Autism umbrella. I had no idea what the red flags were or what the actual symptoms could look like. It wasn't until B's 3 year check up when I asked the doctor if he though B had ADHD and he looked at me and said in a very calm voice that he though I needed to look into Autism. I did not know this at the time but our pediatrician had an autism background and I wish we had him throughout his whole life but unfortunately we didn't get him until we moved to that area. SO we left that appointment and it started to sink in as I drove. Calling my parents and family and letting them know what I thought was most likely wrong and that I needed to start looking into autism, made it start to feel real. When I looked up the red flags my stomach just fell. The not waving or pointing at one, the lack of communication up to this point, walking on his toes, the hate of change, stimming and so on. JUST could not believe it had gone this far and I had NEVER seen it this far. Of course, he is my first and everyone would tell me about a distant relative who did that too, so I just thought it he would catch up eventually. So when I finally got the actual diagnosis, it was more of a relief than a shock. I know God had me wrapped in his arms the last 8 months because it was more comfort to know that what I thought was right and that he could get the help he needed and deserved. I am so so looking forward to him growing and becoming so much more independent:) This new diagnosis has also given me more understanding and empathy towards other people dealing with "difficult" children. I don't judge others anymore when I see a crying kid in a store or a child having a meltdown. Now I know that there might be something else behind the tantrum that we can't see.