Karif,
I am THRILLED for you!!! Most people are sad because they don't "get it" that autism is a whole spectrum of problems but they can ALL be treated. While not all kids on the autistic spectrum will live "normal" lives, there is so much more room for hope now than their used to be. Most people still think an autistic child doesn't interact with the world at all, just sits and rocks and flaps.
It just ain't so! With the autism diagnosis you have SO MANY doors to therapy open, and so many new therapies are being used!! Be SURE to get in to a good private Occupational Therapist (OT) for help with sensory issues. It is PROVEN that brushing therapy can help REWIRE the BRAIN. I don't know of any other therapy that is shown to do this. The earlier you start it the more progress the child can make! I never would have believed it if my own children hadn't made so much progress! In 2nd grade my son missed 9 o rmore days every QUARTER because he was so overwhelmed he would just start vibrating, visibly trembling with too much sensory overload. He also would get pale and if I didn't keep him home he ended up getting sick. We did the Occupational Therapist (OT) starting in first grade. By third grade he missed 2 days ALL YEAR due to sensory overload!! They were in the first month of school, after that he was just fine and eager to go to school every day.
There are also a lot of programs that started in the last few years, esp withing the head start group, that target autism specifically.
It really is a hopeful diagnosis now, but most people don't know it.
He may need medications to deal with symptoms, and that may always be true. But it is due to very real differences in how his brain is made. Adding the alcohol effects just means it will be harder, and medication may be more necessary. Just make sure you start with a very low dose and increase very slowly. I ask the doctor to start my kids (and me!) at half the normal starting dose and increase twice as slowly. So if 10 mgs to start, with an increase to 20 mgs after a week is the "usual", then we start at 5 mgs and increase it by 5 more mgs after 2 weeks. It drives our pediatrician nuts, because she wants quick progress, but that is her problem. She isn't home to deal with any potential problems. I am. And, more importantly, the child is on the front line of any problems.
Enjoy your happiness in having a diagnosis. Know that we are happy that you now have a road map to help guide you!