AN: I'm so sorry for not posting the last two weeks on schedule. I really wasn't feeling myself, but with time to recover and also time to research for this chapter so my information is accurate, I'm back at it.
Melinda pulls her exhausted, sleep deprived body out of bed. The young mother didn't get much sleep over this last week. Her nights were full of intense thoughts of worry over her youngest son, Daniel. As promised, Jim booked an appointment for him that was today in the afternoon. Melinda made her way to Aiden's room and upon finding it empty she ventured slowly to the twins bedroom. When she got there, Melinda noticed that their room was also vacant. Shaking her head in confusion, Melinda made her way to the kitchen to brew a much needed cup of coffee for herself. Once her zombie-like body carried itself down the stairs to the main floor of the house, she saw what shouldn't come as a surprise considering the state of the upper floor. Melinda watched as Andy was enjoying a plate of toast in front of the TV, engrossed in her Saturday morning cartoons. The sight brought a smile to the brunette woman's face, but it soon disappeared when she heard Jim and Aiden in the kitchen and saw Danny on the dining room floor all by himself playing with toy cars. Normally, this would be perfectly acceptable, but as she watched longer -the frown on her face deepening the whole time- Melinda noticed that instead of having the cars race or collide like other boys his age did, Danny was slowly and carefully lining all the cars up. The toddler was very precise with his actions. If one of his cars rolled out of place, his big blue eyes filled with tears and he rocked his torso for a second or two before putting the offending vehicle back in formation. Melinda silently made her way to the kitchen to bring this up with Jim and when she got there, she saw Aiden finishing up his waffles – by far the young boy's favourite breakfast- and Jim was at the sink washing dishes. Melinda made her way over to her husband, ruffling Aiden's brown locks affectionately on her way passed him. "Jim?" Melinda whispered, panicked again. Jim took a break from his chore, drying his hands on the dish towel as he turned to face his upset wife.
"What is it, Mel?" Jim asked with concern swimming in his ocean blue orbs.
"Have you noticed what Danny is doing this morning with his cars?" The mother of three asks, panic entering her voice. Something was wrong, she could feel it. Jim's eyes scanned Melinda's face to try and discover another emotion resting there and when he saw her doe eyes shine with tears, the loving husband and father pulled his wife into his strong embrace.
"Oh sweetheart." Jim's voice soothed Melinda's raw emotions so he continued. "I've been a little busy this morning, but I did notice a few things." He drew in a breath. "One of those oddities was his cars like you said, the other was that our little garbage disposal of a son didn't want to eat. He refused everything I offered." Jim sighed and for the first time since their original discussion about Danny, he let himself really feel the fear- the terror he kept at bay to be strong for Melinda- consuming him.
Jim carries the twins to Melinda's red Jeep to get them into their car seats, meanwhile Melinda is still in the foyer of their overflowing home. "Come on Aid! We're going to be late. We have to drop you and Andy off at Aunty Delia's. Chop chop!" The mother of three yells up the staircase, the stressfulness of what today could mean changing her normally soft spoken voice. When she was only met with silence, Melinda tried again. "Aiden Lucas Clancy!" She yelled, truly upset now.
"I'm coming!" She heard Aiden's muffled voice from the top floor. His pounding feet were heard as the young boy ran down the steps and out the door past his mother. Melinda followed, shaking her head at his antics. As Jim slowly backed the family vehicle out of the driveway, Melinda turned in her seat to address her oldest. "Aiden, what took you so long? You know today's important." She lightly chastised him, more calm now that they were en route. Aiden's bright blue eyes wouldn't look in her direction for a moment, but then he sighed and met her gaze.
"I'm sorry Mama. I needed to grab stuff to do today at Aunty's." He whispered, ashamed. Melinda flashed her son a genuine smile.
"It's okay baby. Behave for me today." Melinda reminded Aiden as they pulled into Delia's driveway who nodded furiously. Melinda got out of the SUV to help Jim get the kids out before heading to Danny's appointment.
"Good boy." Melinda said with a kiss to Aiden's cheek. She took the eight year old's hand so he could jump out safely before walking him to the front door of her best friends house. Jim used his free hand- the one not holding his daughter- to knock and waited for answer. Once Delia came into sight through the screen door, Aiden's smile lit up his face.
"Hi Aunt Delia!" He greets, as happy as ever. Jim smiles and hugs his friend after placing Andrea on her feet.
"Thanks for this Delia." He whispers and Melinda sweeps Delia into a big bear hug.
"I love you." Melinda chokes out through her un-shed tears. Delia gives her best friend one last squeeze.
"I love you too Mel, all of you. Call me if you need me." She whispers. "Go on, you can't be late." Delia ushers them away from her front porch with a light shove. Melinda smiles softly and lifts Danny into her arms, needing him close to her right now. The adults took their son back to the car so they could finally get much needed answers.
*Doctor's Office*
"Daniel Clancy." A nurse in Tinkerbell scrubs calls out through the waiting room and they stand. Melinda takes Jim's hand while he has Danny in the crook of his right arm. The toddler hides his face in his father's neck and lets out a low whimper. Melinda rests her free hand on her son's back and feels the poor boy shaking like a leaf, he's terrified.
"it's okay buddy." Jim whispers so only Danny can hear him. The family make their way into a room to wait for the doctor. "The nice nurse said we have to put this gown on you, okay little man?" Jim asks his son. Danny wordlessly nods his head, but his eyes are wide in fear. At this point, Melinda takes it upon herself to occupy her baby's attention. She reaches into her purse and pulls out one of his cars- Thomas the Tank Engine, his favourite- and shows it to Danny.
"Hey baby, do you want to play with Thomas?" Melinda asks with a grin on her face. Danny nods quickly. "Okay, but you have to wait until you are done getting dressed." She said.
"NOOOO!" Danny screamed with all his might, placing his small palms over his ears and rocking himself back and forth while the earlier shaking returned to his petite frame. The doctor, Dr. Clarke, made his appearance into the room right at that moment.
"Hello." He politely addressed the adults. As soon as Danny's eyes saw the doctor, he froze. Danny went completely silent and rocked even faster with his eyes screwed shut as if he was trying to block out the world. Dr. Clarke took note of the reaction before turning his attention back to Jim and Melinda. "Mr. And Mrs. Clancy, my reference sheet here states that you have concerns about Daniel." He stated, waiting for the parents to elaborate.
"Yes." Jim started when he saw that Melinda was in no fit state to speak. He took her hand and then continued talking. "Danny has been acting strange and I as a doctor myself don't know what to make of it. I've never seen these symptoms before."
"I see." Dr. Clarke spoke softly. "What are the symptoms your son is experiencing?" He asks as gently as he possibly can.
"He barely talks. He usually only speaks when he's very afraid or very happy and never more than one word answers." Melinda started, tears forming in her eyes. "He lines up his toys, cars specifically, and prefers to play alone. I've also noticed that he's been doing this rocking behaviour..." Melinda breaks off to look at her son for emphasis "...a lot lately." Dr. Clarke nods along as he listens intently and decides to test the theory he has.
"Danny, can you look at me please?" He asks, kneeling down to the boy's level. Danny, who had opened his eyes and softened his rocking while the attention wasn't on him, quickly shut his blue eyes tight and his rocks become faster, violent even. Dr. Clarke nodded once, hard and decisive to himself before re-addressing Melinda and Jim.
"I'm sorry to tell you this." The doctor started gently. "But..." He continued. "Your son seems to be suffering from Autism. By my calculations he seems to be a 3.5 on our scale which means he is considered "moderately abnormal" when compared to other children of his age. The symptoms you are seeing are products of his social insecurity and problems regulating his emotions, hence the violent outburst in this unfamiliar environment to him." Dr. Clarke stayed silent to let the news sink in. Melinda could no longer fight the battle with her emotions and streaks of tears lined her alabaster cheeks. Jim pulled his wife into his chest, grieving with her for their son before addressing Dr. Clarke.
"There's treatment right?" Jim asked gruffly. Dr. Clarke hesitated for a moment for answering his patient's father.
"Sir, there are steps that can be taken to help, but there is no medications that Danny can take at such a young age. Danny may start Haldol for his behavioural outbursts at three years of age if it is needed, but he shouldn't use any other medications unless his symptoms change with his age. The other recommendation we have for children with Autism this young are speech therapy and a strict home schedule. We can also introduce a flipbook, which is a book with pictures Danny can point to to get his needs across to aid in his communication skills. Do you have any questions?" Dr. Clarke asks politely.
"Can you recommend a speech therapist for us?" Jim questioned.
"How would we go about getting a flipbook for Danny?" Melinda croaked out her question through her dry throat.
"Certainly." Dr. Clarke stated. "We can arrange for an Autism specialist to mail you a flipbook and you can get a recommendation when you book Danny's six month check-up." He finished. Melinda picked up her son to get him dressed as Jim thanked the doctor. Together they left the hospital feeling a mixture of devastation for Danny's condition, but hopeful for the future.
AN2: There it is folks. All of that information minus the flipbook was found on various websites through Google, it is accurate as Autism is still being studied by doctors. I pulled the acquire a flipbook method from my head, although that is the proper term. By far the longest and most emotional chapter for anything I've even written. Enjoy and R&R please.