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Autism

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old mum May 2013 10:04pm, 7 May 2013 338 posts	Quote Pin old mum Pesto - absolutely agree with you, no doubt. I think probably my point is that some people (parents & teaching staff at every level) can be a bit too quick to throw the autism/aspergers label and once its hurled, it sticks. I think to an extent it belittles the honest to goodness day to day realism of those kids and families who do work with it, but worse than that, I think some people use it as an excuse for the behaviour of 'wild' kids, which can only be detrimental to those who actually have to deal with the realities. I suspect I'm not coming across terribly well. Pah!
Pestomum May 2013 10:16pm, 7 May 2013 2,921 posts	Quote Pin Pestomum You are I think I did a term placement in early years/reception a couple of years ago and given how much paperwork there already is to do I'd be surprised if there's time for specious referrals for ASD. Having said that, you're going to the doctors yourselves; wonder how that works?
Columba May 2013 11:03pm, 7 May 2013 1,961 posts	Quote Pin Columba Going back to the diagnosis question: how it's done seems to vary in different parts of the country. Until I retired four years ago, I was working as an educational psychologist for the local education authority. For a while there was no consistent and satisfactory way of getting a diagnosis (or, eliminating a diagnosis). Then, along with paediatricians, clinical psychologists and speech/language therapists from the health authority, a method was devised which was at least consistent and thorough, - a lengthy interview with parent(s), in-school observations, assessment of general intellectual functioning, assessment of speech and language functioning. All results were integrated and discussed by those involved, and a diagnosis - or not - was then forthcoming. I think getting an adult diagnosed is much harder. But I don't know, as I was only concerned with the children. But DD's comment on his son: "He's just like me" rings a bell, - I've heard several fathers say the same. In the very late 60s to mid-70s (and on and off since then) I was teaching autistic children, and any child that was merely socially awkward and a bit obsessive would at that time certainly not have rung any autistic "bells", as they seem to now.
Ultra Sparkly Bridget (USB) May 2013 11:27pm, 7 May 2013 13,197 posts	Quote Pin Ultra Sparkly Bridget (USB) I work in Northants and a tool called ADOS (autistic observation diagnostic schedule) is used to help use assess children who may have a social communication disorder. There are different modules that depend more on language ability than age and home in on communication and social interaction. For example when I am blowing bubbles for a child I am interested not just in how they react to the bubbles themselves but if they are able to share their enjoyment, how (and if) they ask for more, do they see me as a participant in the fun or simply someone who is producing the bubbles ............................. The ADOS does give a score that is indicative of ASD or not but for pre-school children it is taken alongside a 2 day multi-disciplinary assessment and we do not always agree with that score. For school aged children it is used either paediatricians or ed psychs (or perhaps the 2 together). The county also has a published pathway for diagnosis so that parents have an idea of what to expect. Columba - i think we are better now at spotting those people who 'ring the bells'. Our experience is that these are the children who really struggle as they move through school and demonstrate a lot of anxiety. With an appropriate diagnosis better support can be provided. (Not just talking as a professional - I have one nephew with a diagnosis, one who could easily have one and a son who is only now at 22 becoming settled with who he is and how he responds to things)
Columba May 2013 11:48pm, 7 May 2013 1,966 posts	Quote Pin Columba ADOS was being discussed by the "team" at the time I retired. It sounded really good.
old mum May 2013 11:53pm, 7 May 2013 339 posts	Quote Pin old mum Actually, DD, you've said he's "just like me". I'd say that's not a bad thing.
Columba May 2013 12:39pm, 8 May 2013 1,971 posts	Quote Pin Columba A lot of people with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome are rather proud of the fact.
Discovery Dave May 2013 1:10pm, 8 May 2013 12,185 posts	Quote Pin Discovery Dave Thanks OM. My XH seems to think his similarity to me is evidence for autism, not against...
Meglet May 2013 1:14pm, 8 May 2013 12,404 posts	Quote Pin Meglet I don't see much autism in you! Anyway, even if, you turned out alright.
Velociraptor May 2013 1:20pm, 8 May 2013 25,237 posts	Quote Pin Velociraptor Asperger syndrome no longer exists ... guardian.co.uk My son was diagnosed as having Asperger syndrome when he was about 5 years old, and this was subsequently revised to autism - the ostensible reason being that he had had slight speech delay, but I suspect it was mainly because it made it easier to get him out of mainstream education, which was not suiting him at all. There's nothing subtle about his autistic traits, though. The fact that the diagnosis took so long is a reflection on how good I was at rationalising them away.