Why are more and more parents trying to get a Autism diagnosis????

Aimee - posted on 10/11/2011

I think the vast majority of moms are doing what they feel is best for their child. As parents of kids with special needs, we are all stressed out. Sometimes when i feel like every kid in the world is higher functioning than mine, i try to remember there are parents of kids with terminal illnesses. That gives me some perspective. Otherwise I end up looking at kids who are verbal or who express lots of affection to their parents andI get jealous and sad.

Stacey - posted on 10/11/2011

Its more than likely that having a child with special needs (my son has autism) is so isolating at times that having a diagnosis brings you and your child into a community that can identify with your struggle. Or having a label that is familiar to everyone, or having a specific name for what you're trying to over come is comforting to some people. I haven't had too many difficulties, by the grace of God, but we have to think how a parent feels explaining SPD to people who ask whats wrong with your child.

Cheri - posted on 10/08/2011

I have gone to every doctor around me and there all a joke! Every program he has been in says they think he is PDD but the doctors wont do anything! Now his insurance company signed him up for SSI and got him a lawer for it too. They said if anyone would give him one they would. So I'm just crossing my fingers now that they can figure it out

Katherine - posted on 10/08/2011

There ARE people who have VALID reasons for needing a diagnosis. And 2 is not too young. I know children that were diagnosed at 2. I would see different doctors IMO.

But the people I'm talking about aren't in this group, they come on the Welcome page and ask what is in my humble opinion flat out stupid questions. They are looking for their child to hit every milestone on the dot, and if they don't they deem them autistic. That is irritating. Again, I have worked with autistic children for years, I know the signs, I know what aren't the signs. I'm no doctor, but I think hands on is better than textbook.
Ahh, rambling again.

Cheri - posted on 10/07/2011

yep thats me

Rita - posted on 10/07/2011

friend request sent. I am using " Rita Marie"...had some issues. (LOL) Is your profile pic baby feet?

Cheri - posted on 10/07/2011

Rita Price Ogrady I can't find you on FB try searching me

Tania - posted on 10/07/2011

i think that noone should be judging any mother saying why are they asking for a dianosis they are there mother and if they think something is wrong they have everyright to ask so stop judging . who are you to say why are so many parents doing this or that really none of your buisness its theres. i had people judging me saying theres nothing wrong he seems fine well guess what i was right both my children have autism among other things . and as a parents comments like that are very crushing and harmfull its hard enough as it is .

Rita - posted on 10/07/2011

cheri...friend me on face book. I am going to refer you to a group. I am a Registered Nurse, and my oldest son is seriously impaired with the same diagnosis, although he is now an adult.

Cheri - posted on 10/07/2011

I've tried everything to get some kind of diagnosis for my 2.5 yr old son but Ive got nothing!No one wants to do it because he is to little. This is the only site I can go to, to get help. So far we found out he is mentally 11mons old, don't talk, wont play with others, don't sleep, has mass brake downs, hate change, is OCD, server ADHD, and has 3 sensory issues, We see a ABA everyday 2 hrs a day and speech, early intervention, play groups, music class and so on every week, I can't help him unless I know how!! I'm on here once a week asking question!

Ilene - posted on 10/05/2011

I'm fighting to get a diagnosis of ADHD which my son's doctor says he has. My son is in second grade and has a tough time making friends because he is not into sports and just wants to go inside and play on the computer. Two years ago his first teacher wanted an autism diagnosis in his chart and the psychologist thought he had it because he was so quiet. We learned later that he had water in his ears and that he couldn't hear anything. Skip forward two years, a new psychologist enters the school, starts reviewing IEP's and calls us up blasting us for not having our child in special education because of his Autism. His doctor doesn't think he has it but now we need to get an outside opinion to get this taken care of once and for all.

Katherine - posted on 10/05/2011

I completely agree with Felisha. Parents are too quick to try and diagnose with autism. How many times have I seen, "Is my child Autistic" on here? I've been here since CoM has started and it's earth shattering. Just because they don't talk at 12 months or walk at 14 months, people think their child is autistic. It's become an epidemic for people to say that and I think that's what the OP and Felisha are saying.





NO ONE wants an autistic child. But it certainly sounds like people are freely diagnosing their children with it.



I've done ABA for 5 years and met the sweetest smartest funniest kids you'll ever meet. Doesn't mean they don't have their behaviors and meltdowns. They are them. I'm rambling now, but my point is that yes, people are diagnosing their children with autism before they are assessed.



Edit to add: Sorry I am very passionate about this subject.

Rita - posted on 10/05/2011

Thank you for clarifying. I DO appreciate it. I am a mother of a severely affected child. He is now 20, and needs care the rest of his life. It is the hardest thing any one could imagine doing, and for the life of me> I couldnt imagine why the heck any one in their right mind would try to get a diagnosis, or be in the autism club. ~It is true that most kids with autism behave differently, and really have issues in social places like a grocery store. I couldnt even walk into the local market when my son was little with out him having a total meltdown. I had more than my share of town folk tell me that my parenting was lacking with a mere 2 minute trip in the local market. They had no idea that my son's IQ was less than 50, he was severely challenged. My parenting skills have always been consistent and strict. I follow rules, strictly. I give lots of hugs, but consistently and with lots of positive reinforcement. I see myself in the park or at functions, and know that my parenting skills are top notch. I have bent over backwards more times in the average day, than most people do in one year. I find that to be one of the common themes in parenting special needs children. For the life of me, I wish there were no more admissions to THIS club. ~If you are seeing Mom's on the out side using this SERIOUS diagnosis as an excuse, they seriously need theit head's examined. Kindly, I think you for clarifying. I jumped a bit after reading your original post, and I am sooooo very glad that you reposted some kind words. The warrior Mom's reading, will surely appreciate them. Warm Reguards.

Carri - posted on 10/05/2011

I did it to do get the services my kid needs.. and to get him in preschool earlier...and ensure he would be in a class where the teacher understood and knew how to work with a child with needs.

Felisha - posted on 10/05/2011

To Rita....I am sorry if you are confused by my response. I was commenting regarding the initial inquiry about parents pushing for an Autism diagnosis when the Dr's have advised otherwise. The first comment was addressed to those mothers WANTING that diagnosis - not how to raise a kiddo that is autistic. How a mother raises a child with Austism is not something I would ever comment on because there are varying degrees and varying techniques as to what will work for those children. And yes, I have been very lucky that to date, I do not have issues that warrant that diagnosis. However, truth be told....there are parents out there that have mis-managed their child's behaviors (which again....to some degree, we all do because with each child we have to learn as we go) and would rather believe it is not their fault. Sometimes, we need that reminder that we too are human, we too make mistakes, and then we too have to learn how to undo or correct the behaviors that we have allowed (as applicable for non-autistic children). Some parents will go to the Dr hoping there is some medicine to make the avg child (not those that actually do have some obstacles or true challenges) suddenly behave. Or these poor parents are surrounded by the overally boastful parents that lead them to believe that because their kid does not match, what is likely an exaggeration, another child....there is something wrong.

Remember, this forum is intended to be an open sharing. Not bashing. And each of us mothers are doing the best we can and we are supposed to be here to support each other. At least, that is why I joined. If my comments were taken out of context, for that I apologize. To all the mothers out there raising children with Autism....I bow my head to you for you have great strength and I am confident your children are lucky to have you there learning the best means to help them come into their own. But just remember, we are free to critique (of course) but there is no need to be so defensive and assume the worst in our comments.

Tracy - posted on 10/05/2011

Some people have no idea what it is like to raise a child with ASD. My eldest son is 13 now and we only got a diagnosis a few years ago of Aspergers, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Encopresis. We all knew there was something not quite right with him from a very early age. I had refused help and assessments from when he was 4 at school. He had received so much wonderful support from his infants school and I thought that rather naively that this would continue. BUT, when it got to the point of where the school and myself could no longer manage him effectively we had seek a formal assessment so the school could get extra help for him. I want him to get a good education and to do the best he can. I have had lots of compliments from the medics in how I have raised him. They know it is not down to parenting, believe me it took a very long time of assessments of myself as well to determine this. In the UK its automatically assumed from personal experience that its all due to the parents bad parenting skills! Even to the point where the doctors wanted to admit him to hospital for a week for behaviour training! If anything, having a child with ASD makes you a stronger parent, everything has to black and white - no grey areas including discipline! Both of my kids know what the consequences are, and dread receiving them! He is in a Special Needs school and I find out today whether they will continue to accept him at school as they can no longer cope with him as he is too much of a risk to himself and others.

If he hadn't have received a diagnosis I wouldn't like to think about how things would be today!

My other son 9 tomorrow ;) is having ongoing assessments for ADHD as I now feel that the earlier that you get the diagnosis the better for them long term.

The kids know that they have these 'issues' and are not aloud to use them as an excuse for anything. I try where possible to treat them as normal kids.

Perhaps the people that say we are only after a diagnosis for the fun of it should look after a ASD child for day.

NOBODY on here would have chosen to have a child with ASD I love my kids dearly and feel that we as a family are very happy, but without a diagnosis you are very restricted.

Jen - posted on 10/04/2011

The diagnosis is VERY important because without it, once your child is school age, they will address only the processing delay aspect, which is only part of this all encompassing disorder. School will fail to see the social and emotional struggles, and imply the child is disruptive. Get real sister, no one "wants" any diagnosis!! But when our children are clearly struggling, and regressing at times, you are damn right we will push for WHATEVER we feel the real deal is. You know pdd when you see it..

Robyn - posted on 10/04/2011

I am a strict parent. I have a firm believer in "old fashioned" punishments. I also am an advocate for holding your children accountable for their choices. I don't need excuses for my parenting. I need answers of HOW to HELP my child live a more normal life. Medication is NOT always the "right" solution, but for some children with Autism it is the ONLY option they have to make it controllable and manageable. I do NOT have a diagnosis for my child. I fight with the doctors every time I go to them because all they want to do is give me a textbook definition of whatever disorder they are telling me she has. I know there is SOMETHING not right, but is there anything "wrong" with my child no there is nothing wrong with any child even if they have autism, PDD, or any other disorder. HOWEVER!, when you have a child that is fine one minute and all you do is ask them to a simple task and them go into a complete meltdown that IS NOT normal. For some cases, you are right Felisha it is due to parenting styles BUT in many of our cases it is NOT because we are NOT parenting. I agree there are many parents in the world that do not parent appropriately. As someone that has a child that is an emotional roller coaster from one day to the next I can tell you that my parenting has absolutely NOTHING to do with why she has or does not have meltdowns. I have changed my parenting tactics with her for the last 8 years trying to figure out what triggers her meltdowns, how to teach her academically as well as "world lessons". When you have a child like mine, or the millions of others that have any type of behavioral disorder YES parents want ANSWERS. Sometimes for their own peace of mind, to make their life easier, but in the end all parents want to HELP their child. Doctors DON'T know everything and I challenge them simply because I want to make sure that my child is paid attention to for HER issues and not just swept under the rug, labeled and prescribed drugs so they can move on to the next case. Do I WANT something to be wrong with her....absolutely not. Do I WANT to know what is going on with her so I CAN be a better parent....ABSOLUTELY. Medications can help a child experience "normal" and that is a goal to work towards. When you have a child with any sort of behavioral disorder the problem is how they act, feel, and behave is NORMAL TO THEM. They don't understand why they get so frustrated, so in order to get people to listen and see they are overwhelmed they react in whatever manner they get best results. Some have meltdowns, some recluse. The moral of all of this is THEY DON'T KNOW HOW to simply come to an adult and say "I don't understand this", "I am overwhelmed and just need to relax for 10 minutes", "I am confused by all of this information on the paper". These children do not understand why they can't get something that everyone else seems to grasp. A dyslexic child can't tell you I can't read that because the numbers/letters are transposed. It's the same concept for a child with a behavior/learning disorder. A child with ADD/ADHD can't sit still, most desperately wishes they can sit for 20 minutes with out feeling anxious and jittery. At these young ages the ONLY voice these types of children have are their PARENTS. You are right, we aren't perfect, we all make mistakes. There is no parenting manual and if you have not had to deal with a child that has problems and NOTHING you do helps then it is very understandable how it is easy to blame it on lack of parenting skills. I am a control freak when it comes to my children. Their contact forms at school and everything is ONLY to contact me. No one else. I WANT to know EVERYTHING FIRST when it comes to my child. When the school hasn't done it's part, I am up there making sure it doesn't happen again. There is not ONE thing I could do differently to help my child aside from going to med school myself and trying to be a better advocate. However, that's not a possibility. So yes, I do rely on medical officials to aid me in helping my child. If it comes to medication SO BE IT, but if I choose that or if my daughter IS diagnosed with any type of disorder it is because both ME and the medical team have worked through all possibilities and feel that we have came to a conclusion. Does it mean that down the road the diagnosis won't change? No simply because when dealing with a young child that lacks the ability to express in explicit details what they are feeling, when then feel it and to the extent it affects them there is ALWAYS going to be room for error. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. To some degree we will ALL always be right in some ways or another. The bottom line is this. There are TOO many factors that contribute to why each child is different and unique in their own way. Some people use that uniqueness to shirk on their responsibilities and want labels placed on their children so they have an excuse and not be a firm parent. While others, like myself, just want to have a guideline to follow to research and learn as much as possible to HELP their child and give them the closest shot of being "normal" that is possible.

Rita - posted on 10/04/2011

For the person who posted that Mother's autistic children just, "need excuses" for their bad parenting, obviously know NOTHING about autism, or what it is like to parent a child with that disorder. Or...to have that child reach the age of maturity and have to get guardianship of that, now adult who can not take care of them selves. Sorry Felisha, my son's issues behaviorally speaking have NOTHING to do with parenting, and every thing to do with his PDD. When you know NOTHING about a particular subject, perhaps it is time to keep your mouth shut? ~and it is ....more than obvious, that you dont know much, if any thing about autism. We dont make excuses, we make things happen. Warrior Mom's rock!

Amanda - posted on 10/04/2011

There are different types of hard and easy situatins. I think having a high functioning can be incredibly hard and challenging. Probably what the original poster is asking about is not that kind of situation. You can't really compare how hard different special needs kids are to raise. my "typical" son is more stressful to handle on the average day. But I think he will be able to get a job, and drive a car, and live on his own some day. I think that's the kind of difference that people mean. If a child is injuring himself or others, though, I wouldn't try to tell you that you have it easy!

Sarah - posted on 10/04/2011

Thank You Felisha, and AMEN to that! I can almost feel the retaliation about to fly...I love people with guts, who can speak their minds without pointing fingers!

Felisha - posted on 10/04/2011

Ok, people are going to hate me for saying this. I don't think they want their kids to have autism. However, I do think that some people need an....excuse, a reason for why their kid is not behaving the way they think they should. Either they don't want to look at themselves to see if they are doing something wrong. Which....come on moms....we ALL do some things wrong. Goodness knows I just pray that my mistakes are minor in the grand scheme of things. :) Or they believe that it must be something off with their child because they don't know how to "fix" whatever the issues are. Honestly....so many mothers piss me off because they want to exaggerate the brillance of their kids and therefore, they make other mothers feel like something is wrong with their kid. "Oh my kid slept through the night after 2 weeks, sitting up at 4 months, and walking at 9 months. My child never cries and eats all their veggies". Liar liar pants on fire!!! So then...we look at our own kids and think "huh, my kid does cry. My kid only walked at 12 months. My kid does freak out for no reason sometimes. Shoot, something must be wrong with him." Remember...we have personalities. We are moody. We have nights we can't sleep. We have days where we don't want to eat a specific food. Our kiddos, as young as they are, they are already feeling that too. Their little personalities are shining through. And it is ok. If your dr says your kid is fine....be grateful. And then, if you are still concerned, ask if there are some things that you can do to help facilitate a different behavior.

Robyn - posted on 09/30/2011

I don't think you will ever find a definite answer simply because the nature of each parent is different. Most of us (if not all) are simply seeking answers to help our children live the fullest, most normal life possible. Autism covers such a broad spectrum that many other disorders fall into the same category. There will always be that one in the group that does it for attention or for other reasons. However, the vast majority just wants to know how to help their child. As a parent of a child that fits into the category of over 30.....yes THIRTY different disorders I WANT ANSWERS. When I research the 3 that stand out the most and have the most in common that pertain to my daughter is Autism, OCD/Perfectionist, and ADD/ADHD. Am I convince she has all of these...no. Is there something not completely right with my daughter that is holding her back from leading a normal life...yes. When you deal with a child day in and day out and go to professionals for answers and they give you nothing it is up to you to research and come up with your best answer you can find. Autism has such a large variety of variations it's EASY to say OH MY GOODNESS that's MY CHILD! We all hope that walking into the Doctor's office we will get answers. But when your GUT says...yea I'm not buying it you continue to fight. I have fought for 3+ years and still don't have answers. I have dealt with children that have Autism and ADD/ADHD and can see many many SIMILARITIES between then and my daughter. Does this mean I WANT her to be diagnosed with Autism....nope, but it does give me enough concerns to say OK this is WHY I feel she has it and give then SPECIFIC examples. Over the course of the next 6 months the school and I will be keeping DAILY logs of my daughter's behavior. When a professional sees a child for 5 minutes they can't get an accurate feeling of how that child is on a daily basis.

I totally get where you are coming from, there are a few people in my crowd that I feel WANT something to be wrong with her to make it easier on them because with a "label" they can pass blame on the disorder and be lazy in putting up with her tantrums. I however just want to know what I am up against so I CAN HELP HER. Some parents just want an answer to be able to come to terms with, sometimes that label gives those individuals a sense of peace for finding the "answer" and the battle is half won.

Having an answer to this question is much like asking if abortion is right or wrong....there will NEVER be a ONE way 100% accurate answer because we all have opinions and they are OUR children to raise them how WE see fit as well as to label them however we feel is appropriate. The more accurate question is WHAT do those parents do AFTER they have a child diagnosed with autism....that's more defining of their character :)

Eva - posted on 09/30/2011

Often frist diagnosis is incomplete or wrong. Also, other disorders are also manifest themselves together with autism symptoms . With age parents notice difference and seek and rightfully so another opinion. I do not believe that any parent would like their child to be diagnosed...

Rachel - posted on 09/29/2011

I'm with ya sister, but its probably because of services offered to autistic kids not offered for other disorders.

Sarah - posted on 09/24/2011

Why does the term high functioning make people assume "easier"? I have a son who by all accounts appears high functioning and would be considered as such, he is verbal and can read quite well. But he doesn't like to be around other people and is usually isolated & very alone. He doesn't tell me anything relevant with respect to day to day things, I worry about him wandering away 'cause he doesn't have full understanding of danger, I worry about him darting through busy parking lots. I still have to brush his teeth and bathe him as we are still teaching this, also making sure he is appropriately dressed. I have to be his strong advocate because he is unable to express his needs or even events of his day, this includes interpreting what his behaviour might indicate for the school. I have to watch what he is getting into, because he doesn't understand certain things can hurt him. He has no real understanding of strangers. I have to guess when he is ill because, he can't tell me. I have to make sure he isn't hurting himself because he chews on his fingers until they are raw and bleeding, he also doesn't appear to feel much pain. I've got to redirect maladaptive behaviours, when he jumps up and down and flaps his hands, or does other repetitive things. I have to make sure he isn't hurting others when he gets upset, and he is 9. He also doesn't sleep well...Can someone please tell me how this appears easier?!

Cindy - posted on 09/20/2011

It has to do with "playing the game" in order to get the right help. My middle child missed having Autism in her school diagnosis by one check mark (she was 3 1/2) and she was diagnosed PDD-NOS. Luckily, the school district still gave her services with an Autism Consultant. Unfortunately, not all districts would have done that. She was re-evaluated 3 years later and was given an Autism diagnosis. All 3 of my kids are diagnosed with ASD now and they are all high up on the spectrum so I do tend to agree with those parents who wish there were different catagories of ASD. I try not to use ASD as an excuse but there are times when I really do want to scream at those who have no clue what it is like having 3 special needs children and trying to raise them as "normal" as possible.

Alice - posted on 09/17/2011

I understand that people with less severe kids need services, too. I guess I wish that high-functioning autism had a different name. It's strange to go to autism support groups when a lot of the other parents are dealing with such different issues (like anxiety, or mainstreaming or finding friends for their child). It's hard to pipe up and say, "I worry about my son running into traffic" or "I can't keep my son out of his diaper", when most of the people are talking about issues of HFA or sensory integration. Having completely different labels would make more sense to me.

Tania - posted on 09/16/2011

well i think that all mother are advocates for there children and if they feel something is wrong of course they will goto another doctor ...i dont think any mom would want there child dianosed just for the sake of it and is there is something wrong well the dianosis would help with funding and getting help for there child so im sorry to say that your comment about why is everyone trying to get a dianosis well its not really fair to say or even ask . im sorry cause it gets me frustrated as all mothers know there children best and if they think something is wrong and doctors say no they have every right to get a second opinion .

Julie - posted on 09/15/2011

Alice, I totally understand what you're saying. It must be so hard for you.

But the autistic disorders are a spectrum. While parents of kids with high functioning autism have it a lot easier than you, their kids still have a disorder and still need help even though it's not as much.

It's like comparing cancer and a broken leg - the broken leg is highly unlikely to kill a person, but it still needs treatment.

It's the same with high functioning autistic kids - they aren't as difficult to look after and treat, but they do still need diagnosis and treatment.

Alice - posted on 09/13/2011

I know what you mean. My sons are pretty severely autistic, and it can be hard when other people try hard to get their child the label. I understand wanting to get services, but sometimes I have to bite my tongue. It is a popular diagnosis right now. My next door neighbor keeps telling everyone her child is on the spectrum, and sometimes I feel so frustrated. If you have watched your six year old son happily eating his own poop, then I will not complain. But this is not my most mature side, and I apologize to parents with mild kids. I know we are all struggling with different things.

Rita - posted on 08/27/2011

Because the "diagnosis" is needed to get the services covered, or the grants that people often need to help with the associated costs of recovery & treatment. No one WANTS the diagnosis...but it is needed to get the services covered. Doctors are very reluctant to diagnose a child prematurely, so parents often wait and wait to get the diagnosis at 5 or so, when the time period for early intervention has long passed. If a child is showing the signs....getting a diagnosis is important to get the ball rolling in the very important sepcial ed/services that make a difference in weather your learns or not. ~Just an FYI.....No one WANTS this, and having it is a nightmare for so many. Count your blessings that it is not you.(Dont rip me apart here, I have a worst case senerio child, in my home)

Stephanie - posted on 08/21/2011

i know in my case it is because my sons counselor and early intervention team went over the DSM requirements and with the delays my son had and still has it was obvious he was on the autism spectrum. When i went to Easter seals i was furious with them and i informed them i was furious. Their Autism screening, which was scheduled to take 6 hours and only took 3, consisted of them prepping my child for every change that was coming including telling him every 5 minutes that in so many minutes we are gonna go to the next room and work with my friend and do this activity k?. they did not get to see the true example of the issues he has with a change in routine because they prepped him as i do every day. Then when we saw the Dr at Easter Seals he said because my son looked at him he wasn't autistic at all. Here is the issue i have with this...my son had already been in therapy for 2 years at this point and if the dr would have paid an ounce of attention he would have noticed my son watched his mouth as we have trained him to do during speech therapy. I had numerous people on my sons care team that "diagnosed" him. Easter Seals evaluation we had was just very poor and sadly it is what our school district uses instead of using the diagnosis he does have now of PDD-NOS. The problem i have with that is i have to fight tooth and nail every year for them to do what he needs in order to make it through a school day. Thy have taken it as far as removing him from his home school district and putting him in a school for behaviorally challenged children with hopes he will get better in a year or so and be able to go back to his home school. This is why i pushed so hard for the diagnosis i knew he had but the "Professionals" were too unprofessional to take teh time to diagnose.

Liyah - posted on 08/19/2011

Because too many doctors mis-diagnose kids that's why not all parents are satisfied with the answer they receive.

Cheri - posted on 08/17/2011

My son has got alot of help through different places that helps kids that are a little slower and I would say 4-5 different places has said they think its autism. I have a behavior analysis comes to my house 2hrs a day 5 days a week and he only works with autism kids but when I went to get him tested at the center of autism there speech person said that he is a normal boy with delays, behavior issues and speech issues. Also they where my fault. I made him that way. I was MAD! He was sleeping when we she seen him and had never even seen me before. She did no test nothing at all but she billed me for it which was nice.... So yes I will be seeing another doctor very soon. I was told I have to get a diagnosis for him before he turns 3 then I can get him all the help he needs. He is 2 and a half now

Stacy - posted on 08/14/2011

you will get max services, that's why...

Karen - posted on 08/14/2011

With my youngest son, it is obvious he is autistic and was diagnosed with autism at 4 (he is now 9). I always "knew" my middle son was on the spectrum (aspergers) but never got him officially diagnosed until last year. I did this because as he gets older (he is now 12), his quirkiness and odd behaviors clearly single him out from his peers and he is a target for bullying. With the diagnosis, I can get him in a smaller class setting with some extra services and more teacher attention to help alleviate some of his anxiety and hopefully protect him for the bullys.

Michelle - posted on 08/12/2011

@Katherine
I understand that there has to be a label for those reasons but I was only commenting on the actual question not anything else. We are asked why people want the Autism label even when doctors are saying it's not Autism. I wouldn't like to comment on the actual syndrome as I have no idea what it involves, taylors or is like to live with & to all parents out there going through it my support goes out to you & understand fully that you need that label to get the help & support you need.

Katherine - posted on 08/12/2011

@ Julie, those people are ignorant and I feel sorry for them.

Julie - posted on 08/12/2011

I guess though, I can kind of understand why parents want an explanation as to why their kid is different. When my daughter is showing her autistic behaviours, and I hear people complaining about her, saying she's a little brat/monster etc, or when they're complaining about me, assuming that her autistic behaviours must be bad parenting (which is stupid in itself, she has TWO parents, and even if she didn't have autism, her father spent years abusing her, and then abandoned her for to satisfy his main mistress).

It can really help when explaining to people, she really cannot help some of her behaviours (there are some she can help, because of some bad habits she picked up from her father and then reinforced by badly acting extended family members she is forced see by family court order). But the majority of her "abnormal" behaviours aren't bad behaviour, they are just normal autistic behaviour that she cannot help, and both her and I and everyone at her school, are working very hard to change.

So I can understand why some parents of kids who act in ways that bother others, want to have a label that people recognise to explain their child;s behaviour. Everyone recognises "autism", hardly anyone I've met (unless their kid has it, or from when I was studying psych) has heard of things like PDD for example.

But the reality is, even when you explain your kid has autism, all it does with some rude people is they still think your kid is a monster and then accuse you of being an even worse parent and think that autism is just a made up condition to hide bad parenting. That's how ignorant a lot of people are.

It's never easy as a parent.

Katherine - posted on 08/12/2011

@ Michelle, there has to be a label or the help needed isn't going to be provided. The schools won't recognize it, doctors need that label to diagnose and treat.

Michelle - posted on 08/12/2011

Everyone seems to like a label nowadays, dont want people to think their kids are a little odd & prefer to be able to say he/she has ............ syndrome & thats why he/she is doing that. Heart goes out to anyone though who does have a child with problems.

Julie - posted on 08/11/2011

Heather, will the school recognise the label "autistic spectrum disorder"? if so, since aspegers is an ASD, perhaps get ASD written on any referrals...

Heather - posted on 08/11/2011

I'm in rural North Dakota. There are certain criteria for an IEP, one of which is Autism, which Asperger's falls under. But the school isn't legally obligated to recognize Asperger's as Autism because currently Asperger's has its own entry in the DSM. If the school hadn't accepted him under Autism, they could have accepted him under Behavioral Problems, but I didn't want that. My son can behave himself! LOL

Seija - posted on 08/11/2011

@Heather, where abouts do you go to school? I know schools in queensland australia do recognise all parts of the spectrum including aspergers as a disability requiring an iep etc. Seems strange that they would recognise only part of the spectrum.

Heather - posted on 08/11/2011

My opinion is that it's for the school. I was told, back when we were first trying to get my son diagnosed and I suspected he had Asperger's Syndrome, that I didn't want a Dx of Asperger's. I was told that the school system wouldn't recognize Asperger's as a disability, and therefore he wouldn't qualify for an IEP and special help. However, the school does recognize Autism.

Natasia - posted on 08/11/2011

i think sometimes it is because they want an excuse for why their child doesn't behave other than they are a bad parent. other times because they think there is something wrong and dont know what it is and since everyone know the word autism they say that when they have no idea what else to call it

Teresa - posted on 08/10/2011

In my experience it is important to get the right diagnosis. Doctors are not perfect like in my case they can make the wrong diagnosis and damage can be done. It is our job as the parent to push for what we feel is right. I too believe that autism is being over diagnosed like ADHD had but I also believe that a parent knows their child better then anyone and if a person feels their child has been misdiagnosed then they need to keep searching till they are comfortable that their child is getting the help they need.

Cindy - posted on 08/10/2011

Some parents, like many that post here, do see signs that are a concern. What bothers me is the parents that apparently think children should always be well behaved, never get tired and have tantrums and other things children do and believe it must be an underlying condition. Real crazy mood swings, antisocial behavior or whatever is one thing, but I think some parents I've seen think any misbehavior is a signal of a problem. They want a good boy/good girl pill their babies can pop so they become docile. We live in a world today where if you are sad your dog died you get on an antidepressant instead of working through the sadness. I think that is a large reason for people wanting to diagnose everything, not just autism. They want a quick fix. They don't want to deal with reality.

Fathimath - posted on 08/09/2011

can any one relate? i have 7 years old son, his learning is very good and his memory is also very good, he is always acting oposite, i mean negative, he feels very happy to misbehave, he want hurt others specially babies and small kids, i am worried about this, now we are giving him behavior theropy