
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.
Questioning Diagnosis of Autism

deleted_user
My 3 and a half year old son was diagnosed with high functioning autism about 6 months ago. His main difficulties seem to be speech delay, eye contact, social skills, and repetitive speech, comprehension and routine. In the last few weeks we have been to a few kids parties where I have discussed this with other mothers, and no one can believe that he has been diagnosed with autism. No one seems to think there is anything wrong with him, and keep telling me that all kids are different. I am currently taking him to speech pathology and occupational therapy, and both agree that he has autism, but now I am begining to question the dianosis based on what other parents are telling me. I explain that he is obsessive about trains (will lay on the floor and play with them for hours watching the wheels, and it's all he talks about). Then they say that their kids are obsessed with Barbies or the Wiggles etc. Another example is with his strict routines, and again they say, all kids have tantrums when they don't get what they want. It's frustrating to think that they don't understand, or have I been given the wrong diagnosis and he is just a normal child? Anyone else feel like this?????
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My son was also diagnosed with high functioning autism when he was four years old. Your son's symptoms are very similar to what my sons symptoms were at the time of his diagnosis. My son also had a sensitivity to sound and touch. He was also non-verbal.
The good news is that because your son is high-functioning, you can expect great things from him. My son is currently attending college and is due to graduate next summer. He still doesnt drive a car.
http://chat1autism.wetpaint.com/page/Home?t=anon
I hope it can help.
Hugs,
Kris
PS: The URL added /page/home?t=anon.... I don't know why...
PS: For some reason, when I go out in public, everyone can tell I'm on the Autism Spectrum but I was diagnosed as high functioning...? That is also why I got a service dog to help minimize things...
Kris
http://www.childbrain.com/pdd.shtml
http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html
Many Thanks to you all.
In the early years many of these things can be dismissed away. HOWEVER, at the age of 9 he got the Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis and by this time it was quite evident that he was NOT like his peers of the same age. So, don't let parents of "normal" kids dissuade the diagnosis.
See, I let the neurologist do that and I wanted desperately to believe him. But, it did NOT do my son justice.
Instead, he did NOT get all of the help he could have gotten. In addition, all of the things you are talking about are common among aspie's and for you to have noticed these things about your child . . . well, trust your mother's intuition.
The one thing I always knew was that Kris was "different" and that no matter how many diagnoses he got: ADHD, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) everything never all added up.
When he finally got the Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis and we went to seminars about the disability and learned more, well, all of a sudden, everything added up.
While I don't wish for anyone to have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, the sooner you realize what is going on with your child, the sooner you can help him/her.
I strongly suggest that you move forward with the diagnosis you've been given and just give it time. As your child gets older, there will be NO doubt in your mind or in the minds of others who know your child well.
Having a diagnosis is better than trying to put the pieces together and constantly trying to find the answers.
Trust me on that!!!
hugs,
gaylek11
It continues to be a daily struggle ten years later. I think that to give birth to a special child is in itself devastating, to have a child injured and left with learning disabilities is devastating, to give birth to a normal healthy baby who is progressing just fine for a couple of years and then "Autism" ( and no-one can tell you why) is beyond devastation. We are all dealing with this daily and I for one salute every parent out there with a child on the spectrum. The public don't get it, the doctors don't nor do the schools and my biggest guilt is that by the time I've managed to cope with a "normal" day I have no energy to advocate or instigate change. Maybe in the future...............
Wow I just realised how much i've said :-)
hugs everyone
Oh, sweetie, you are so NOT alone. I marvel at those folks who have a special needs child and get legislation changed and other things to help all children with asperger's.
I simply was NOT put on this earth to accomplish that. I do the best I possibly can to understand my son and what he needs and wants. I advocate for him every single day and I deal with his behaviors and tend to his needs and it's all I'm capable of doing.
Is that enough??? I don't really know. But, it's really more than one lady can handle, ya know???
So, just know that you are NOT alone in this. I am at the end of my rope and there is NO time in a day for ME, ever!!! I walk around with letters tattooed on my forehead, N-O-N, because I've always felt like a non-person in my own right. I'm just Kris' mom, Kris' caregiver, Kris' support line, Kris' whatever!!!
There is no time left for anything else. . . not even to just be ME!!!
You are NOT alone! I canNOT feel guilty for that because I just am who I am.
hugs,
gaylek11