Son’s Diagnosis - What Do You Think?

[Scgilbert167]

My five year old son was diagnosed with autism this week by the school psychologist. I can see signs of autism in him, but there are other things that seem off...that don’t seem to fit with that diagnosis. I don’t personally know anyone with autism, so any advice or insight from you all here would be so appreciated!

Signs of autism (I think?) in my son:

- problems with speech (will mix up words, hard to have a back and forth conversation, says random things at times that seem to be just echoing what he’s heard, rather than what would make sense)
- mostly parallel plays with other kids, or on his own (other than will play, and imaginatively at that, with his three year old biological brother...interesting...)
- really thrives on a rigid routine, and the familiar
- will wake up in the middle of the night and wander around the house, usually looking for toys or beloved items

Some things I’m too sure about, with his new diagnosis:

- he is extremely over friendly to strangers...will sometimes hug/kiss them without their permission
- smiles (almost) all the time
- can become very irritable and aggressive if things aren’t going his way, or he’s in a non-routine situation (ie the doctor’s office, a restaurant, store, church)
- does talk a lot, and always very loudly (volume control is non-existent), but not usually with someone...usually talks AT someone, or to himself
- is often extremely oppositional and defiant, to the point where he will kick and scream and hit when things aren’t going his way, although his psychiatrist says that he can’t be both autistic and have ODD (which a few professionals have diagnosed him with)

There are other things, but that is the gist of it. I’ve actually suspected fetal alcohol syndrome for him for a while now, which I guess could coincide with autism, but we need someone outside of the school to look into that.

Any thoughts? Thank you so much, in advance

 

[RosaViolet]

Well, the second part of your list is totally autistic as far as my children go. Spot on.
- he is extremely over friendly to strangers...will sometimes hug/kiss them without their permission -mine used to hug strangers
- smiles (almost) all the time - not sure which emotions they feel, should display and how
- can become very irritable and aggressive if things aren’t going his way, or he’s in a non-routine situation (ie the doctor’s office, a restaurant, store, church) - anxiety, meltdown
- does talk a lot, and always very loudly (volume control is non-existent), but not usually with someone...usually talks AT someone, or to himself - typical
- is often extremely oppositional and defiant, to the point where he will kick and scream and hit when things aren’t going his way, although his psychiatrist says that he can’t be both autistic and have ODD (which a few professionals have diagnosed him with) frequent autistic behaviour in children, reaction to anxiety, sensory, change, part of PDA (pathological demand avoidance) - refusal to comply due to the need for control because of anxiety

Generally dx is supposed to be done by a multifunctional team, several specialists, using several diagnostic tools including ADOS.

 

[Scgilbert167]

Wow...thanks so much for your input! The school psychologist did a very thorough evaluation, with input from both my husband and I, as well as my son’s preschool teacher, and both a speech and occupational therapist.

I forgot to mention, though... When we had him evaluated at ages three and four, both of those professionals stated - “waiting room diagnosis? NOT autism”... so that’s another reason why we’re looking at a second opinion and treading cautiously.

It is good to know, though, that the things I thought might not be related to autism very well could be!

 

[Fino]

Have you looked into attachment disorders? I'm not necessarily suggesting it, but since you're exploring, that is something that popped into my mind.

 

[RosaViolet]

When we had him evaluated at ages three and four, both of those professionals stated - “waiting room diagnosis? NOT autism”... so that’s another reason why we’re looking at a second opinion and treading cautiously.

I am afraid this too seem to happen for many children. Mine was assessed at 4 and we were told to wait. After the battle of several years diagnosed at 9. Some are diagnosed at 12, 15..

I think the professionals diagnose certain presentations early, and for the other children they wait until they really struggle later...

When I was first told about autism, I couldn't relate to it at all. It was some incoherent mix of behaviours and I could neither recognise them, nor make sense what it is like from the inside. What it is like to be autistic. The tick box form said 'plays with ninja turtles', my daughter didn't.. lol. I felt that my daughter was just herself, 'too normal to be autistic' as it were, not at all like the pathologized stereotype. I mean this is how I felt. So for me the process was to revise and reframe an define my thinking about all the topic of autism, conditions and disability, at a depth that comes with being involved personally.
Now it is simple, being autistic is just being me. So you see I couldn't relate to some descriptions in the assessment even though they are supposed to describe me.

There is a lot information and discussion here that might put you more at ease and answer some of you questions