Kathi Pierce drops of her son, Wesley Pierce, at BACA in Elkhart. Wesley, who is autistic, receives treatment at the center. South Bend Tribune/SANTIAGO FLORES |
By AMANDA GRAY
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer
Kathi Pierce noticed almost from birth that her son Wesley was having some problems when he had trouble breast-feeding.
It took years of trying various medical exams before Wesley was diagnosed with low-functioning autism.
Now Pierce worries about changes being considered to the definitions and diagnostic criteria of autism and other spectrum disorders.
Those proposed changes could have large ramifications for local families, said Joshua Diehl, the University of Notre Dame psychology professor who eventually told Pierce with certainty that Wesley had autism.
It took years of trying various medical exams before Wesley was diagnosed with low-functioning autism.
Now Pierce worries about changes being considered to the definitions and diagnostic criteria of autism and other spectrum disorders.
Those proposed changes could have large ramifications for local families, said Joshua Diehl, the University of Notre Dame psychology professor who eventually told Pierce with certainty that Wesley had autism.