Do you think autism is becoming 'trendy'

[Lynden]

Reason I ask is because its in the media so much lately, and then when we went to see the film 'Breaking and Entering' at the weekend the daughter in the film is autistic (fair portrayal actually) but I dont really see what it added to the film (other than stress on the parents relationship) so wasn't sure why autism was included.

 

It just seems to be becoming popular for want of a better word and whilst its nice that awareness is being raised its disappointing that its not always positive.

 

Lynne x

Edited November 13, 2006 by Lynden

[moira199]

Reason I ask is because its in the media so much lately, and then when we went to see the film 'Breaking and Entering' at the weekend the daughter in the film is autistic (fair portrayal actually) but I dont really see what it added to the film (other than stress on the parents relationship) so wasn't sure why autism was included.

 

It just seems to be becoming popular for want of a better word and whilst its nice that awareness is being raised its disappointing that its not always positive.

 

Lynne x

 

 

I haven't seen the film but it does seem that there are more and more books on the subject but they do not give the insight and information that you get from classics like 'George and Sam' or 'The Siege'. They are just the parents talking about themselves and not the wider context - although to be fair, I can't blame them really it's just that the end result is not as memorable or as long lasting.

[lil_me]

I think the fact it's being used in films and story lines can be good and bad, depending how well it is done, the fact that you have said it only highlighted the stress on the parents relationship, says to me good on the story writers for doing it if it was done well, as not every family is 'normal' for want of a better word and that differences do happen, and the strain it can put, aswell as the good things it can bring. I suppose as a film writer it will also give them 'something extra' to put into a film as most families who have a child with ASD dx have quite different and eventful lives (not always in a good way of course) It also gives the public something else to use as an insight as most people I have met will say 'oh like on Rainman'.

[Tilly]

I mentioned something along these lines to my friend. I felt like every time I picked up a paper or watched TV there was something on about Autism whether it be fact or fiction e.g. Mysterious Creatures, Snow Cake etc.

 

Now my friend in question has a child who has Downs Syndrome and she told me she thought the same but it seems that everybody is discussing DS in her opinion e.g. Eastenders and articles in magazines.

 

I said is it because its because its close to our hearts that we are aware of it , but she said its like "new car syndrome" ? She explained they were always there but we had never noticed until we were there.

 

 

Tilly

[Kathryn]

I think you're right Tilly. The moment my daughter was diagnosed, references to AS/autism seemed to be everywhere, and I probably would not have noticed anything five years before that.

 

Mind you, her dx it was about the same time as the publication of "Curious Incident..." possibly the first high profile work of ASD related fiction since Rainman?

[Lynden]

That could well be it Tilly - that I am just so much more aware of it now! Never thought about it that way.

 

Lynne x

[Stephanie]

I think the word "Autism" is popular - most people have heard of it. Very few people however know the symptoms or realise what it exactly is.

[Canopus]

It isn't with employers. I was talking to an engineering manager about AS and he had never heard of the condition. I then told him it is a varient of high functioning autism and he was not impressed and told me his company wouldn't touch autistic people in any shape or form with a bargepole.

[noogsy]

hi i dont know about trendy but i would say that if a child has adhd and asd then they have more chance of getting funding,than if it was adhd on its own.the autism thing definatly seems to get more funding in scotland..we have managed to get a aspergers teacher for louis for 2 1/2 hours a week.which is a lot out of louis time table.he also has a classroom assistant in the morning but not afternoons he has all the things he is good at in the afternoons.it does i think get attention from the head ones above.we didnt have to insist our head teacher did put everything in place quickly.no complaints from us....love noogsy

[noogsy]

oh and someone said to jme today they thought that autism was now being taken more seriously by the government because of the MMR link.and the government is appeasing parents because autism is now more in the public eye..........so more money has become available...........noogsy

[anita81]

its becoming trendy because a lot of people think,a diagnosis=DLA.I live on a council estate and every other child seems to have something (Its mainly adhd).A 'friend' of mine is trying to get her daughter diagnosed just to get more money.theres nothing in the slightest wrong with her child.i also think people try to get a diagnosis because it seems like an easier option, than to admit their childs naughty due to bad parenting.one of my family members is trying to get a diagnosis of adhd for her daughter coz shes just naughty.another family member has jumped on the band wagon and is trying to say her daughter has autism(theres nothing wrong with her,shes just quiet).im sure these family members must have seen something on tv and thought "hey if i diagnose my child with this,my child will be centre of attention,people will feel sory for me and i can spend spend spend when the DLA comes through." (no i dont get on with my family)They should consider what its like for the people who really do have a child like this.I certainly dont want to get tarred with the same brush as these idiots.AND MY RANT IS OVER!

[Gardenia]

its becoming trendy because a lot of people think,a diagnosis=DLA.I live on a council estate and every other child seems to have something (Its mainly adhd).A 'friend' of mine is trying to get her daughter diagnosed just to get more money.theres nothing in the slightest wrong with her child.i also think people try to get a diagnosis because it seems like an easier option, than to admit their childs naughty due to bad parenting.one of my family members is trying to get a diagnosis of adhd for her daughter coz shes just naughty.another family member has jumped on the band wagon and is trying to say her daughter has autism(theres nothing wrong with her,shes just quiet).im sure these family members must have seen something on tv and thought "hey if i diagnose my child with this,my child will be centre of attention,people will feel sory for me and i can spend spend spend when the DLA comes through." (no i dont get on with my family)They should consider what its like for the people who really do have a child like this.I certainly dont want to get tarred with the same brush as these idiots.AND MY RANT IS OVER!

 

I was quite shocked when I read this post. People (friends and family) have said to me in the past that there was nothing wrong with my ds "that he was quiet", "he's just shy" and when the meltdowns started it was "the terrible twos" or "he's spoiled" blah blah blah.

 

Even now people comment that he shouldn't be in a SEN and "he seems okay to me" Well they should live with him for 24 hours and not just comment on the snippets they see.

 

Sorry Anita but I find your comments very negative especially for parents who are at their wits ends trying to get a dx.

 

Gardenia

[anita81]

I was quite shocked when I read this post. People (friends and family) have said to me in the past that there was nothing wrong with my ds "that he was quiet", "he's just shy" and when the meltdowns started it was "the terrible twos" or "he's spoiled" blah blah blah.

 

Even now people comment that he shouldn't be in a SEN and "he seems okay to me" Well they should live with him for 24 hours and not just comment on the snippets they see.

 

Sorry Anita but I find your comments very negative especially for parents who are at their wits ends trying to get a dx.

 

Gardenia

im not trying to diss the people that HAVE got something wrong with their child.what im trying to say, is the people knowing damm well that their child has nothing wrong with them,just to get money is out of order.its those kind of people that make ggetting a diagnosis for a genualy autistic child hard.sorry for the missunderstanding

[smallworld]

Hi,

I didn't read Anita's post in that vein at all

I think she was quite rightly pointing out that there are 'parents' out there that will pursue a dx of anything if they think they might get dla on the back of it.

I don't see this as an attack on parents who are at 'their wit's end', I don't think you'd be on here otherwise.

( Unless you're a really organised piece of work gaining valuable research for your spurious claim of asd/adhd/add...)

It's hard to stomach, but there are people out there that will milk the system, which makes it even harder for those children with real problems to get the help they deserve.

 

wac

[noogsy]

can i just say that i ment government funding in schools.and we have had counciling and support.and my child has special teachers.and a classroom assistant.we have a psychologist.and ed phychologist.all the teachers time who have taken time and effort to try to teach louis.we have had nothing but kindness.im not having a dig at DLA .nor would i ever take a swipe at KIDS who get dla. i try always to think of dla for our children not for overspending greedy parents. you know the parents i mean who drink buckfast,smoke dope,sell heroin all obviously get dla cos they are unfit parents whos kids have behavioural problems and are walking the streets after dark. ...most parents who get dla are honourable or carerers allowance because they cant work and have to look after kids who are difficult.my wee boy doesnt sleep he wrecks the house at night time,i am constantly tidying and trying to make sense of mayhem.we have not had a nights sleep in 9 years so i personally am not going to have someone suggest we do everything for dla.its offensive and insulting and unjust.grrrrrr.to see this on a support site for parents like us is like reading the daily mail....this site is to support people not have a dig at parents already at the end of there teather. noogsy...........

[lorryw]

When my son was first diagnosed in 1992 autism was very rare. Our consultant told us that she had only seen 2 autistic children in the 10 years previous to our son.

I remember desperately trying to find information in our library and could only find vague medical references.

In fact I sometimes feel strangely jealous of todays crop of parents who seem to have legions of "experts" and help available. However when reading between the lines nothing has actually changed. The "experts" have no more idea how to help than before.

Lorainex

[anita81]

i think we may have our wires crossed.im not having a dig at parents who claim DLA for their child who HAS got a disability.why would i do that.my child has autism and we claim DLA.ITS THE PARENTS WHO KNOW BLATENTLY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THERE CHILD WHO TRY TO CLAIM.Sorry if my first post sounded abrupt(must be my aspergers).if theres something wrong with your child,then yes your entitled to a diagnosis and DLA.and i hope they get the diagnosis.i really do.but people trying to get a diagnosis and DLA when they know theres nothing wrong with their child,just to get money,well surely thats wrong isnt it?Thank you waccoe for understanding my point.

[mossgrove]

There may be parents who pursue an Autistic diagnosis in order to get DLA.

 

I would have to say though that getting a diagnosis and DLA isn't easy, and I have yet to come across anyone who has got a diagnosis and DLA by pretending their child has Autism , so I would urge everyone to be cautious before saying it is a major problem.

 

Simon

[oxgirl]

I feel quite strongly that I wouldn't want to judge other people or their circumstances or their children, just as I wouldn't want anyone to judge me or my child. If we start saying that 'others' don't deserve this or that or that there is nothing wrong with 'so and so', we can't really complain if people start saying this about us as well. What's the difference?

 

~ Mel ~

[oxgirl]

i think we may have our wires crossed.im not having a dig at parents who claim DLA for their child who HAS got a disability.why would i do that.my child has autism and we claim DLA.ITS THE PARENTS WHO KNOW BLATENTLY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THERE CHILD WHO TRY TO CLAIM.Sorry if my first post sounded abrupt(must be my aspergers).if theres something wrong with your child,then yes your entitled to a diagnosis and DLA.and i hope they get the diagnosis.i really do.but people trying to get a diagnosis and DLA when they know theres nothing wrong with their child,just to get money,well surely thats wrong isnt it?Thank you waccoe for understanding my point.

 

 

I suppose the point is, Anita, how do YOU know that this or that child is JUST naughty and that there's nothing wrong with them and that THIS person is making things up, etc. and how would you feel if people were saying that about YOU behind your back?

 

~ Mel ~

[Bullet]

As someone who is both a parent of an ASD child and who is Aspergers herself it angers me to think that there could be those who believe it is something to be exploited. I sincerely hope those people are in the tiny, tiny, minority. People who knew me at secondary school would have probably just called me quiet at first, because I was withdrawn, I spent my breaktimes staring into space, I often had the words in my mind but couldn't get them out. But because I was academic and the school was geared to all that they turned a blind eye to the bullying and the fact I did not socialise or make any friends and left me to it. If they had had something else they would have said I was disorganised, poor co-ordination, clumsy, messy and rather too straitlaced. Those who knew me at home knew there was something more, they saw all of the above and also saw my appalling temper, my odd little quirks, my immaturity, my handflapping, the fact I rarely initiated conversations and my poor self help skills. Being older and having more choice in what I do and where I go has certainly helped and whilst I do still have difficulties I know I can at least tell people why now.

[anita81]

I suppose the point is, Anita, how do YOU know that this or that child is JUST naughty and that there's nothing wrong with them and that THIS person is making things up, etc. and how would you feel if people were saying that about YOU behind your back?

 

~ Mel ~

because they have told me this.they have actualy told me that there in it for the money.when you live in a rough council area like mine you come accross it quite often

[anita81]

im sorry if ive offended anyone,that is not my intention.But i have had quite a few people tell me that they are in it for the money.im not judgeing anyone,but like it or not,there are people out there like this.and to think that there arnt is being a bit naive.Im not saying everybody does it but there are people who do.

[Lucas]

Anita is pointing out a real(if not yet widespread) problem; an Autism diagnosis is very difficult to get, but less difficult if you are an unscruplous benefits fraudster that knows the ins and outs. Those that do this make it harder for other people as the rules will eventually tighten up to discourage new claimants.

 

It is extremely important that Autism does not fall into the same trap as ADHD; where the most common misleading examples most people get to see is apparently similiar to bad behaviour. It will be quite difficult to explain how an Autistic child is different to a Neurotypical one if both are shown behaving badly(it's impossible to explain that the Autistic will be behaving that way often for entirely different reasons). Few people will ever see happy and good behaviour because privacy is often a requisite for a lot of Autistic people to be happy.

 

It means that sometimes someone can present a badly behaved kid and say "It's the Autism" and it is just impossible to tell. Diagnosticians needs a hoard of information from complete developmental histories to how clients respond differently in different conditions. But sometimes when those aren't available, a rough judgement has to be made and sometimes a kid who may or may not be Autistic will get a diagnosis. This would be the kind of situation those milking the system would be trying to achieve.

 

For me the problem with Autism/AS seemingly becoming a popular subject is that the individuals themselves are often forgotten about. I've never heard of an Autistic actor playing an Autistic character in a fictional story by an Autistic writer on TV. Makes me think sometimes that the Deaf community must be glad See Hear is on at a god-forsaken time of the night. If it was on during prime-time, it would mean Hearing people would be making overreaching decisions about it almost certainly.

[Bullet]

The one time in the GP's that Tom got angry and upset at something I told them I counted that as his age and nowt to do with his (then suspected) ASD. He had (and still has) plenty of times at home when he's been angry and upset at something but when he was being assessed at the CDC he rarely grumbled. They looked at the fact he showed no distinction between strangers and familiar people, his almost non existent eye contact, the way he would (and still does) use adults' hands as tools for things but not acknowledge them. They saw how he would concentrate on doing the same repetitive action on a toy over and over, his seeming unawareness that someone was speaking to him and they asked us loads of questions about how he was at home and what his history was like. At that point I knew a lot of the stereotypes about autism and I also knew there was no way I was going to say he did something when he didn't just to get his diagnosis. So I told them he was fine about having his meals on different plates, I said he had no problems with different materials or walking barefoot and told them he actually seemed to seek out different textures to feel. I wanted them to know what he was like so whatever he needed help with he could get it. It's been seven months since the diagnosis and some times he seems like a perfectly normal 18 month old and other times his ASD is so screamingly, glaringly obvious.

Edited November 17, 2006 by Bullet

[JsMum]

I have to post a reply to this thred as I am uncomfortable with some of the comments, reguarding DLA and ADHD especially as J has ADHD and we had to go five years before a diagnosis, in the mean time I had to stuggle with his behaviour unsupported and constantly listen to people who said he was naughty, I dont deny J can be naughty, he is a child and every child carry chararchteristics of cheekness, that look in the eye, and general "thats kids" but there was more to it with J, but because I had people telling me it was J been naughty I booked on parenting courses, learnt more about challenging behaviour techniques which failed with J as he crossed the red line, and lots of parenting tecniques dont work with children with Learning difficuties ect....

 

Even the school J was in at the time said J was naughty, and the only person suffering was him because they stripped away his confidence and self esteem, once in a classroom he had done some writing in his exercise book and it was messy, letters back to front, spelling mistakes and the teacher raised his book for everyone to see and said that she hopes that others in this class is producing better work than this mess!

 

J was five, with already identified Learning difficulties and possible Dyslexia at the time this was done to him.

 

J was deverstated, and rightly felt stupid, he was punished constantly for his work, for the way he interacted and for retaliating when someone had hurt him, but he was the one yelled at and told to go in, not been listened too that the boy had booted him in the head several times before he hit back, J couldnt communicate this and if he tried he was told to shut up.

 

J had a very hard time while he was undiagnosed looking back its a real shame J had to go throw what he has because now he has his diagnosis it certainly has changed the reactions of others, they are understanding and supportive, J can still be naughty, but it doesnt take away the fact he has all that is stated in the signiture below but what doesnt help is negative remarks that only demean the child, Js other school dissed he had ADHD why because he is a nice boy? all kinds of kids have ADHD, nice ones, naughty ones, single parent ones, the professional parents kids, all types of kids.

 

Even beautiful angelic looking kids.

 

What makes a parent judge a child and say there is nothing wrong with them by the way the child is at that particular time, Js difficulties are not always apparent, even when he is quiet it doesnt mean is ok because for me, thats a more of concern than when he is diving around the place.

 

Watching a withdrawn and detatched child is very upsetting.

 

You cant comment like that, Autism is been what people class as a hidden disabilty.

You dont always see it, and every child with it has different levels and functions.

 

Also the comment about DLA and how some parents spend it, wether its on heroin, or weed, that is not the childs fault its been spent wrongly and doesnt weeken that chance that that child has ADHD/ASD Special needs, its the choices that that parent is spending the money on, thats not the childs fault.

 

Its coming a very big concern that children taken into care from parents in drug/alcohol/neglect related reasons that when they are in placements their naughty behaviour is picked up and assessed and its then understood that some of their behaviour is undiagnosed medical conditions.

 

Its also possible that those parents that went onto heroin maybe had an undignosed condition and it was lack of support and inadiquate services that led to the wrong road of drugs.

 

Not saying all those who have a condition will be more vunrable to drugs and alcohol but if ones special needs isnt picked up and there exspected to cope alone then they may make choices that isnt the best for their future.

 

I know I will have to look after Js Needs for the rest of his life, but things can be in place to help him make the best of his special needs now and tomorrow and that will shape his future.

 

The most comment that upset me also that has made me wonder if entering forums like this which is to recieve support and understanding is where WAC says, unless your a really organised piece of work gaining valuable research for your spurious claim of asd/adhd.

 

I know of many parents with special needs children who dont even know what there intitled to, they are loosing money because no one told them about what their child has rights to.

 

How many have used this site and been directed to a fund or a benefit and found they can claim it but before coming here didnt know that they could access that, forums like this are a vital part of supporting parents because there is so many things that are shared and that has to be very useful to parents.

 

 

JsMum

[annie]

When our son was diagnosed (ADHD 11 years ago - Aspergers 6 years ago) there was virtually zilch information/support/media anywhere. Thankfully, we've come a long way since then, even though some of the things we see aren't always good .

 

Anita is pointing out a real(if not yet widespread) problem; an Autism diagnosis is very difficult to get, but less difficult if you are an unscruplous benefits fraudster that knows the ins and outs. Those that do this make it harder for other people as the rules will eventually tighten up to discourage new claimants

.

 

but true.

 

Annie

xx

[Bullet]

"Anita is pointing out a real(if not yet widespread) problem; an Autism diagnosis is very difficult to get, but less difficult if you are an unscruplous benefits fraudster that knows the ins and outs. Those that do this make it harder for other people as the rules will eventually tighten up to discourage new claimants."

 

Ok, I see your point, but that wasn't our experience with Ds1. He was picked up on pretty early and the health visitors and GPS said he needed referring, the paediatrician at the hospital agreed he needed assessing and the CDC came to the conclusion he was ASD in less than two weeks. So is it that he had enough obviously noticeable signs, or is it that saying he's ASD is easier to get, but if we'd have pushed for an Aspergers/ Autism diagnosis specifically that would have been harder? I'm certainly not out to claim benefits falsely, when I filled in his form I even underestimated a couple of things and left things out so they wouldn't think I was exagerrating.

With myself I am strongly beginning to suspect the GP who referred me on, if not the psychiatrist might have checked my records and knowing that a couple of paediatricians had noticed something different about me it's pretty likely there'll be something about the way I talked and acted as a child at least in them. I know the health visitor who helped me find out what to do has seen my records as she told me.

Edited November 17, 2006 by Bullet

[smallworld]

Sorry J'smum

I'm upset that I've upset you,

I should have explained myself better, what had occured to me when I typed that was, where better to find out about asd etc than coming on here as a guest and having a good read. Afterall, this board is open for anyone to read ...

I don't think it's that likely ( I hope ), and I certainly wouldn't view any members of this site has having this motive.

Apologies again,

 

wac