Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.

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Developmental & Learning Disorders
/ Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

new, adult son recently diagnosed

Deborah48
Deborah48
Hi, are there very many of you here who are adults diagnosed with Autism? We are just now learning that my son, 21, is within the Autism Spectrum and is being diagnosed with PDD NOS.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I'm 18. When I was 2 I was diagnosed autistic. That diagnosis was later changed to pdd-nos at around age 7. At one point they changed the diagnosis to aspergers syndrome too. I'm told it's common for people's diagnosis on the autism spectrum to change and vary a bit at different times in their lives. I have a doctor and a therapist right now. The doctor labels me high functioing autistic and the therapist puts down aspergers.. Confusing! :/

Anyway, I'm new here too but I'm 18 and on the autism spectrum (also, I ramble..)

Was your son ever diagnosed with anything pertaining to this before pdd-nos? Just curious :]
Deborah48
Deborah48
no he was never diagnosed with anything before, but I always thought there was something wrong but no one would listen to me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yeah, I have a friend who was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome at age 17 so he wouldn't be nearly the only one to get diagnosed late.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am a 19 year old High Functioning Autistic, and was diagnosed at the age of 17.
Deborah48
Deborah48
The good news is that my son is taking it very well, he is almost relieved. Probably because now he knows why he always felt a little different.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have diagnosed a few teenagers. Usually, they were getting into a lot of trouble, everyone just thought they were behavioral problems and blamed things on them. The diagnosis really helped explain what was going on. They were really good kids who just saw the world a little differently and that fed into social differences. It is not uncommon for people to be diagnosed as teenagers and adults because no one recognizes the characterisitics and requests an evaluation. I think that is because most people are not that familiar with the more subtle characterisitics of high functioning autism and aspergers. You can check out my articles at http://doban-autismarticles.blogspot.com/ I would also recommend Tony Atwoods website. He is the guru on Aspergers disorder. I would also strongly recommend a movie called "Adam" which came out in late 2009. It started at the small local cinemas. It is a wonderful movie about a young man with asperger's.