BRICK, NEW JERSEY- Theresa Dakoury knew in her heart that her son, Adam, would eventually be diagnosed with autism. She and her husband would talk about certain behaviors that stood out to them: like how Adam still wasn’t talking at 4 years old, how he wouldn’t respond to his name, how he’d have a meltdown when something was a little out of place or if his routine was slightly off. Theresa also noticed that when he got upset, he would make repetitive motions.
“He would do things with his hands. Like hand gestures or movements when he was frustrated,” she said.
Theresa kept bringing up these signs to others but felt ignored and didn’t know where to turn next.
“I’ve been trying for a long time to get someone to listen. Everyone kept saying, he’ll talk when he’s ready. He’s now 4,” she said.
She stumbled upon an ad for a virtual clinic called As You Are, which provides autism diagnostic evaluations for kids. Her first question was if it accepted her child’s specific insurance plan, which it did. Theresa was able to get an appointment quickly, which was important to her because she could see how much her child needed help. After three telehealth appointments, her son was diagnosed with autism by a dedicated As You Are physician.
She said, “I have a 1-year-old who is already putting together sentences. I know my son was behind her, at 4, so I’m glad I was able to get somewhere in the process.”
While Theresa says she already knew the diagnosis would likely be autism, it was important for her to know what she should be doing for her son in the months and years ahead. As You Are not only provided answers, but helpful information on where to turn so she didn’t feel alone in the journey.
“I wanted confirmation for my son and guidance on where to go next… It was a really good experience,” she said.
Do you have questions about your child’s development? The team at As You Are provides diagnostic evaluations for kids 16 months to 10 years old via telehealth appointments along with useful resources, including an online autism screening. Learn more at asyouare.com.
