AIBU to wonder why some parents push for ASD diagnosis?

superted1 · 2017-01-17 17:34:12

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm a primary school teacher and I've been wondering this for a few years. I've seen many parents perusing diagnoses of ASD for children who absolutely present within the 'normal range'. I wonder what the motivation for this is. I often receive the standard questionnaire to fill out for children and am totally surprised that it is for these children. The children in question are often a little below the expected level for their age group, but as the majority are Pupil Premium, the children already receive additional funding in school. I am interested in the motivation for personal reasons too. I struggled enormously in school with concentration, impulsivity and social interactions. As this was a few decades ago, no diagnoses were offered. My parents had very high expectations of my siblings and me, so it was instilled in me that I must work harder to overcome these difficulties. As a teenager, I started to develop strategies cope with the things that made my brain work so differently. Eventually, I was diagnosed with ADHD after I'd already left school and entered employment. My late diagnosis makes me wonder: Would I have developed coping strategies had I been diagnosed early? Would I have nurtured a deep determination to achieve despite adversities? Would my younger self have used the diagnosis as an excuse for reduced effort? My teachers may have approached me with more understanding, but would they have reduced their expectations of me? I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to grow up and develop my personality without diagnosis. I achieved what I have as a result of my hard work, not despite a 'disability'. So with my background, I also see the damage that diagnosis can do in some cases. A diagnosis is for life, and while a reason for some behaviours might be a relief, I don't understand why some parents seek a diagnosis for children who are as 'on the spectrum' as any other child? Not looking to be 'flamed', just seeking insight and a further understanding.

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The OP has been in touch and requested that this is removed as it's causing a lot of stress - we do want to make lives easier, after all.