Autism or Something Else???

Jennie - posted on 12/20/2012

My son has adhd and pdd-nos (prevasive development disorder) which is on the autism spectrume. Its more of a high funtioning autism. He has sensory issues, social issues. and can be really friendly. He doesnt understand personal space and will actually hug strangers. He can be a bit to friendly. He makes eye contact, holds conversations..ect. He doesnt have all the syptoms of aspergers so its categorized as pdd-nos. I beleive there is 5 catagories of autism.
1.autism...not talking hands flapping no eye contact
2. Rett syndrome
3. aspergers
4. fragile x syndrome
5. pdd and pdd-nos.

Corena - posted on 05/21/2011

This is where some clarification on the "Autism Spectrum" needs to come in. Not all Autism is the stereotypical "Rain Man" autism, there are varying types of autism, some with sensory issues, some with auditory/visual processing issues, some with social issues, some with the whole can of worms or just a few. You need to educate yourself as a parent of an autistic child and explain to the people that are questioning the diagnosis what 'exactly' are the symptoms of your child's autism. If a neurologist has diagnosed the child, who is a preschool teacher to question that? Most people in the general population don't have any clue as to the varying degrees of autism. There is Asperger syndrome where a child can be high functioning, make eye contact, but not be able to interpret social cues and customs. Autism.org is an excellent resource, read eveyrthing you can, and dont let other people tell you what your child should and shouldnt be exibiting.

Janet - posted on 05/19/2011

When your daughter was diagnosed you should have received the entire packet of extensive data that was taken on her assessment - they can't just look at a child and go "Yes, she has autism because of these few traits". If you DID NOT get this information, then you need to go back to the neurologist and ask for it. Then you can tell what assessments they’ve run and how they came to the conclusion of her Autism.

That being said, there are quite a few tests (at least three were run on my daughters when they were diagnosed) that they should run TOGETHER to cross reference each other and give a good diagnosis. When you get the assessment information that was done on your daughter and only one or two testing methods were completed, I’d certainly get a second opinion..

Becca - posted on 05/19/2011

Most kids with autism have a lot of social problems and wont look people in the eyes. I am sure some high functioning will still look you in the eye. I would honestly get a 2nd opinion JIC.

Chasity - posted on 05/18/2011

Thank you so much, she is getting the therapy she needs I would just hate for it to be something that is a potential health hazard if she was misdiagnosed but im for sure that it is high functioning autism.

Terrie - posted on 05/18/2011

There are many things that can look like Autism but are not. However, it has been my experience that the schools will always tell you different. My son has been diagnosed by the brain institute and child study center in our area yet the school wants to make their own diagnosis. My son has mild to moderate Autism. He is repeats the last thing everyone says. For the longest time he didn't have eye contact but with working with him he has it now. He does repetative things such as role paper. He is non-social really. What it all boils down to is how much help your child is getting at school or from early childhood intervention. I decided a long time ago let them think what they want just so long as he gets therapy such as speech, ot and pt. My son is eleven now. I hope you find what you are looking far. Only go for a secound opinion if you think you should. Don't worry about what others think, go with your heart.

Terrie

Terrie - posted on 05/18/2011

There are many things that can look like Autism but are not. However, it has been my experience that the schools will always tell you different. My son has been diagnosed by the brain institute and child study center in our area yet the school wants to make their own diagnosis. My son has mild to moderate Autism. He is repeats the last thing everyone says. For the longest time he didn't have eye contact but with working with him he has it now. He does repetative things such as role paper. He is non-social really. What it all boils down to is how much help your child is getting at school or from early childhood intervention. I decided a long time ago let them think what they want just so long as he gets therapy such as speech, ot and pt. My son is eleven now. I hope you find what you are looking far. Only go for a secound opinion if you think you should. Don't worry about what others think, go with your heart.

Terrie

Katherine - posted on 05/18/2011

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR 299.00 AUTISTIC DISORDER
A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at
least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3)

(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

a) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction

b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to
developmental level

c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, (e.g., by a lack of showing,
bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity ( note: in the
description, it gives the following as examples: not actively
participating in simple social play or games, preferring solitary
activities, or involving others in activities only as tools or
"mechanical" aids )

(2) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language
(not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)

b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

c) stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic
language

d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social
imitative play appropriate to developmental level

(3) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior,
interests and activities, as manifested by at least two of the
following:

a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in
intensity or focus

b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional
routines or rituals

c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole body movements)

d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

(1) social interaction

(2) language as used in social communication

(3) symbolic or imaginative play

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

This is from DSM (Diagnostic And Statistical Manual)

http://www.autism-pdd.net/checklist.html