Is an aspergers diagnosis beneficial? Dilema!

[SjB1]

Hi all

 

I just wanted people's opinions who are on the autistic spectrum.

 

Basically my child is 3 1/2 and after researching a lot I strongly suspect he has aspergers.

However as he is so young it is still difficult to say.

 

He arm flaps a lot when excited and has done since a baby so that is a very visual reminder to people that he is slightly different to the other kids.

 

As I said he has many of the aspergers traits I've read about but functions normally at nursery, they haven't noticed any probs. The staff love him, find him very funny and think he's a bit quirky/eccentric. He isn't as social as some of his friends but gets by OK so far. He is very social with adults and prefers to interact with them.

 

That leaves me with the dilema - would it be beneficial for him to have a diagnosis? For me I would like to know so I can help him, but if he does have it and could get through life not knowing and not suffering beacuse of it then would that be better? I was thinking I could still read up on ways to help him even without a diagnosis.

 

If somebody had mild aspergers, didnt know and always just thought socialising wasn't their strong point would that be better than growing up thinking they had a condition with stigma attached to it (although there obviously shouldn't be!)and labelled for life.

 

What do people think?

 

Thank you, as you can imagine I think about this daily and want to do the best for him whatever that is.

 

I was planning on waitting to see if he does have problems when he starts school and if so, then we'd probably have to get a diagnosis for his sake so teachers etc understand him better. But if he doesn't experience probs, just flaps a lot, and he isn't bothered, then would it be best for no one to think he was on the spectrum?

 

Hope that makes sense to people.

 

Also does anyone have any advice on flapping? I'd like to reduce the amount he does it in public as sometimes he almost hits people in the face and I don't want him to get teased. How can you go about this without making him feel it's wrong as he obviously needs to do it.

 

Thanks.

[Enid]

would be interested in the replies to this, my youngest just been diagnosed, he donst flap or have any noticable habits, but he is quirky and a bit old fashioned, I wish I had never had him diagnosed as I think his friends will view him differently once it becomes known, so like you I am not sure how helpful it is, only time will tell of course.

[bid]

Welcome to the forum,

 

I'm not quite sure whether you are saying that any of this is proving problematic for your son?

 

If no-one else has noticed or commented upon any problems, I'm not quite sure how you would go about asking for a diagnosis? What is having a negative impact on your son? I can see that as a mum you are concerned for your son, but to be very honest with you, flapping would not warrant a diagnosis of anything, anyway.

 

Hope you get some reassurance.

 

Bid

[baddad]

Hi SJB-1 -

 

You say you have been researching 'a lot', but don't really give any indication as to what has prompted that research(?).

Flapping can be symptomatic of autism, but many young children display excitement etc in this way too, so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on that, especially at 3.5... In fact, many adults can be quite 'flappy' too - it's a completely natural human response to excitement or tension or nervousness, discomfort etc and while for most adults it tends only to manifest in extreme situations for others it's more everyday (trying to think of an example - watch a quiz show when someone wins a biggish prize, you'll see quite a bit of flapping going on!).

Certainly early diagnosis can be hugely beneficial, but if there's nothing really that your son's struggling with and he's hitting all the usual milestones and he's doing okay at pre-school etc then there's really nothing in a dx for him to benefit from, iyswim.

As you've said, a dx of autism is something that will effect him for the rest of his life. In the states, dx's being 'overturned' is becoming more commonplace, and I think in the UK there's a tendency for people to just stop 'using' the diagnosis if/when it ceases to seem appropriate, but both of those factors do tend to indicate that what is mistaken in early years for autism can turn out to be nothing more than 'personality'. My own opinion is that autism is being overdiagnosed these days on the basis of behavioural observations and investigations that are less than rigid, but please don't consider that as a comment on your individual situation because it isn't. Having said that, though, from the brief details you have given and your son's apparently succesful/unremarkable integration at pre-school i would, in your position, be inclined to take a 'wait and see' approach for now.

 

Hope that's helpful

 

L&P

 

BD

[SjB1]

Hi guys

 

Thanks for replying so quickly

 

He has many traits:

 

gets upset by strong smells

obsessions with strange things e.g light bulbs!

he talks in the 3rd person

he developed late physically - even now has an unusual gait, clumsy.

I find his behaviour challenging and I am a qualified teacher and use some techniques on him that I learnt are helpful to autistic kids e.g i have to use countdowns so he doesn';t go mad when we end an activity.

He used to line toys up

He is an incredibly fussy eater, when weaning wouldn't have any new textures/lumps. I had to pureee everything completely smooth.

 

They are a few things I can recall offhand but to be honest when I read about it there are more traits.

 

However things like no eye contact and late talking aren't him at all. Hes always been a great communicator and spoke well before any other kids his age.

 

He is above average intelligence and can sound like a little proffessor at times like when talking about light bulbs!

 

So as you can see he does have quite a few symptoms of it. I began researching it beacuse a group of friends he sees regularly all had started to imitate each others behaviour and wanted to play together and my son had no interest, he would just do his own thing and seemed oblivious.

 

But more recently he does seem to want to get involved more.

 

 

So basically I find his behaviour challenging but as long as he's getting on OK at school would you think it best to leave him undiagnodsed?

 

What are the actual benefits of having a diagnosis if the symptoms are mild>?

 

For example i have a friend whose child has autism and their father has some traits but has a successful job, friends etc and in that case it was probably better for him not to know he was different?

 

Thanks.

[oxgirl]

Hi SjB1,

 

It is really difficult to answer your questions to some extent, especially seeing as your son is still so very young. Some children find school very difficult to deal with and problems can arise then, but you won't know that until your son starts. You are obviously concerned about him now and it's a good idea to note down all of those concerns now and as your son gets older to keep a record of them in case you are asked at a later stage. There would be no reason why you couldn't approach your GP now with your worries and ask for a referral to a consultant. The waiting list is quite long anyway so by the time your appointment came through you might be more sure about whether your concerns were becoming more of a problem for your son or not. In the meantime, he'll be growing and maturing and moving into school and you can always reassess things then.

 

Hope that helps.

 

~ Mel ~

[JsMum]

from reading your posts I would defo keep a log and start a diary, that way you have evidence, as reguarding school, many schools say that our kids are fine, my sons school professionals said at a recent case conference everything was fine, that they are MANAGING him, even though for the four days he was there he was restrained, held, contained and recieved a detention. so just because they say everything is fine it doesnt mean our kids are not struggling or fitting in as such.

 

I would say that it is a bit early for a AS disangosis as AS is usually dx after junior age as you have more evidence of the social impairments.

 

But from what you say he does have social interaction difficulties and diverts to the ADULTS more than children.

 

My son is 14 and does this now, preferring to be with staff, carers, instead of other boys.

 

My son is also average intelligence, social skills has nothing at all to do with a persons IQ what he may have is social intellgence impairments, especially with peers his own age, my son prefers younger or older children, he struggle greatly with his own age group.

 

I would say it is essential for early diagnosis within reason, so around 3 or 4 for Autism and 8 or obove for AS.

 

A diagnosis is definatly beneficial for educational purposes, if you dont raise your concerns over his social functioning now as he gets older it will be harder to prove as they will say you didnt share any concerns until now.

 

I would keep writing up his quirky behaviours, be specific and read the Tony Attwood books and other AS parents guide books too.

 

The mild bit may make professionals go for AS Traits or Features, so be careful with how mild you feel the AS is as its either AS or not AS.

 

My son has ASD needs and he has spiky profile, able in some areas but very impaired in others but he has significant anxietys and behaviorual problems that can make other people think its parenting rather than a child struggling and avioding a task or situation so they can cope.

 

The dangers of a child growing up with ASD Needs and them not been met as they are not recognised, met or even understood by teachers, proffessionals, parents are that they may need more intensive therapies and care in the future and the damage maybe unrepairable where the child is no longer a child but a Adult with an undiagnosed need.

 

search engine early diagnosis of Autism benefits and you will find a lot on the net.

 

Here is an example here.

 

http://www.mugsy.org/pmh.htm

 

 

I personally think it is very essential that early diagnosis is made to meet that childs individual needs. even if that at the moment is just social needs.

 

 

JsMumx

[SjB1]

from reading your posts I would defo keep a log and start a diary, that way you have evidence, as reguarding school, many schools say that our kids are fine, my sons school professionals said at a recent case conference everything was fine, that they are MANAGING him, even though for the four days he was there he was restrained, held, contained and recieved a detention. so just because they say everything is fine it doesnt mean our kids are not struggling or fitting in as such.

 

I would say that it is a bit early for a AS disangosis as AS is usually dx after junior age as you have more evidence of the social impairments.

 

But from what you say he does have social interaction difficulties and diverts to the ADULTS more than children.

 

My son is 14 and does this now, preferring to be with staff, carers, instead of other boys.

 

My son is also average intelligence, social skills has nothing at all to do with a persons IQ what he may have is social intellgence impairments, especially with peers his own age, my son prefers younger or older children, he struggle greatly with his own age group.

 

I would say it is essential for early diagnosis within reason, so around 3 or 4 for Autism and 8 or obove for AS.

 

A diagnosis is definatly beneficial for educational purposes, if you dont raise your concerns over his social functioning now as he gets older it will be harder to prove as they will say you didnt share any concerns until now.

 

I would keep writing up his quirky behaviours, be specific and read the Tony Attwood books and other AS parents guide books too.

 

The mild bit may make professionals go for AS Traits or Features, so be careful with how mild you feel the AS is as its either AS or not AS.

 

My son has ASD needs and he has spiky profile, able in some areas but very impaired in others but he has significant anxietys and behaviorual problems that can make other people think its parenting rather than a child struggling and avioding a task or situation so they can cope.

 

The dangers of a child growing up with ASD Needs and them not been met as they are not recognised, met or even understood by teachers, proffessionals, parents are that they may need more intensive therapies and care in the future and the damage maybe unrepairable where the child is no longer a child but a Adult with an undiagnosed need.

 

search engine early diagnosis of Autism benefits and you will find a lot on the net.

 

Here is an example here.

 

http://www.mugsy.org/pmh.htm

 

 

I personally think it is very essential that early diagnosis is made to meet that childs individual needs. even if that at the moment is just social needs.

 

 

JsMumx

[SjB1]

Hi

 

Thanks so much for your detailed reply.

 

I have read that aspergers children can be viewed as spoiled brats and thats how I feel my son is viewed when he kicks off when he doesnt get his way.

 

A new concern of mine that has only just arisen is his complete over reaction when he falls and grazes himself. It could be the tiniest scratch and he cries and is properly distressed for a very long time afterwards!

 

I read up on aspergers and response to pain and it was very interesting cos it said that they could react as if theyd lost a limb over a paper cut! This is like my son but the article said that flapping reduces the effect overstimulation but also reduces general responding normally to stimuli in the environment. And this accumulates over the day, therefore the author said if a child hurts themselves in the afternoon the reaction would be less. This was so accurate in my sons case as yesterday he had a meltdown over a tiny graze in the morning then in the afternoon he had a much worse cut on his hand with quite a bit of blood and he barely reacted!

 

Anyway its like you said its a waiting game and only time will tell. I never want him to be labelled as a troublemaker, Id rather home school him!!!

 

Does your child have some firends? My only wish for my son is for him to have 1 or 2 friends in life and to be able to get a partner when older. Doesnt matter if hes not the best socially but would hate him to be lonely.

 

Thanks again.

[SjB1]

I have started a kind of log, just jotting things down.

 

I have a really nice GP who adv he said just come back to him with it when i feel the need to.

[SjB1]

Another question I have is...does anyone know if it says on your medical records that you have autism/aspergers, does it prevent you getting certain jobs?

 

I'm just thinking of my son's future.

 

Thanks.

[Mumble]

I read up on aspergers and response to pain and it was very interesting cos it said that they could react as if theyd lost a limb over a paper cut! This is like my son but the article said that flapping reduces the effect overstimulation but also reduces general responding normally to stimuli in the environment. And this accumulates over the day, therefore the author said if a child hurts themselves in the afternoon the reaction would be less. This was so accurate in my sons case as yesterday he had a meltdown over a tiny graze in the morning then in the afternoon he had a much worse cut on his hand with quite a bit of blood and he barely reacted!

:lol: That sounds like me! Paper cuts, little bumps, people knocking into me and I'm not a happy bunny but anything serious and I don't feel it as I should or react appropriately - including walking round on a broken leg for a week

 

I think the only jobs you (currently - it could change by the time your boy is an adult) can't do with an ASD dx are join the armed forces.

[SjB1]

Thanks for that.

Well if thats the case i better get a diagnosis quick cos would hate him to be in the army! Only joking!

[Tally]

Another question I have is...does anyone know if it says on your medical records that you have autism/aspergers, does it prevent you getting certain jobs?

 

I'm just thinking of my son's future.

 

Thanks.

Why does everyone think it's necessary to reveal your full medical history every time you apply for a job? It's really not common at all. Have you ever had to do this?

 

There is a blanket ban on people with ASD joining the armed forces, who are not covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. Medical records are looked at in a very small number of other occasions including if he wanted to study medicine, become a pilot or use a gun. Clear communication can be a matter of life and death in these types of jobs and ASD may be a concern.

[Mumble]

Why does everyone think it's necessary to reveal your full medical history every time you apply for a job? It's really not common at all. Have you ever had to do this?

I have for every job I've had (including volunteer positions) - maybe this is because I have always worked with children?

[darkshine]

 

My only wish for my son is for him to have 1 or 2 friends in life and to be able to get a partner when older. Doesnt matter if hes not the best socially but would hate him to be lonely.

 

 

Hello,

 

I just want to say that from what you have said here your boy will hopefully have so much more and he'll have someone dedicated and willing to help him and to fight his corner every step of the way

 

Best

 

D