The process of finding someone to perform a neuropsychological evaluation, go through the testing, get the reports, and then work with your child’s school is time consuming and overwhelming. I think we got the name of the place to get the evaluation from Wilson’s doctor. I remember him saying it could be too early to do the testing. He thought if something was developmental, we might not get a complete or accurate picture of what was going on… yet. Neuropsychological evaluations are also expensive. Many people don’t get them because of the cost. Ours was not covered by insurance. I have read that some are, but I am not sure how that happens. I guess it depends on your plan (?). When they asked the questions about Wilson’s birth during the intake, we got the impression that if he were dropped on his head, his issues would be physical and then covered under insurance. I think it’s a small commentary on mental health; physical issues are easier to understand. I remember the intake meeting...

Now that you know the “ending” of our story – Wilson is settling into Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois – it only makes sense to start at the very beginning. I have to admit, this has been a hard blog to write because I don’t know how much of the beginning is important.  Everything was pretty “normal” for the first child of working parents living in suburban Boston. I think we shared many of the same hopes and dreams for that teeny baby that most parents do. You want the best for your child. You see that perfect little face and are full of hope.   There’s so much you don’t know when you see your baby for the first time. Will he be smart, funny, athletic, artistic? Will he struggle with the same things I did? Will he be an introvert or an extrovert? Which pieces of which parent will show up in him? Who will he look like? Wilson is my maiden name, and as the oldest of three girls born to an only son, it made sense to name my son Wilson. When he was born, he looked like...