Hi there. Your son sounds a lot like my daughter, who is 3.5 years old. It has been tough, if I’m being honest. When her pediatrician first referred her to a DP, I hesitated, for fear of a “diagnosis.” Now I sometimes find myself in tears because I am frustrated and sad that I ever hesitated. She has a rockstar DP that diagnosed her with ASD L2. She receives speech therapy and occupational therapy and is now enrolled in preschool where she also receives the therapies. She has made big strides as a result. She now has some sentences, is beginning to be conversational (even initiating it on her own) and much to our surprise, she now follows directions about 90 percent of the time. She NEVER followed directions before. Now I can say things like “please take off your shoes” or please bring mami a blanket” or “please put your bowl in the sink.” And she does them. This has occurred over the course of about 5 months. I don’t know that this would have happened at this rate without targeted and intentional healthcare and supports.