Hypermobility and hypersensitivity

[Alecstuart007]

Hi,

Our boy was diagnosed last year with hypermobility/dyspraxia. Since then he's also shown sensitivity to sound, covering his ears and mildly freaking out when sounds are louder. He also freaks out if certain things appear he doesn't like. Such as a standard tv screen saver if he sees it he almost screams turn it off. He also likes routine. Especially when travelling. If we don't build him up to travelling somewhere new he can have a meltdown. Explained all this to the consultant and she just said it's all connected. Is it really though? We think it's very mild end of autism spectrum. We don't want to be combative to the consultant but we felt our concerns were dismissed. Anyone else been through this or have advice?

[BackforGood]

Before I got as far as your suggestion of possible autism, I have to say that is what your post was suggesting to me too.
Obviously, usual disclaimers about the fact we don't know him, and it needs a Peadiatrician to diagnose anyway, but, if presenting as you have described I would certainly be looking for an assessment to take place.

[tabulahrasa]

There's a big overlap between dyspraxia and autism, if the consultant diagnoses both, I'd think they're probably best placed to say which it is.

[NotCitrus]

There's a lot of overlap with sensory processing and hypermobility and also dyspraxia, dyslexia and autism etc, but if you don't have difficulties with social interaction then hypersensutivity alone doesn't mean autism - look up 'triad of impairments" as all 3 are needed for an autism diagnosis.

[Alecstuart007]

Thanks for all your comments. He definetely has no social interaction problems. It was just frustrating as it felt like the initial diagnosis has been made so nothing new needs to be looked at. hes been given help for dyspraxia but I would've expected at least an investigation into the other areas I raised, but maybe I'm wrong .

[Paffle]

My son is the same - hypermobile and borderline dyspraxic. He saw the child development team for these and they also talked to us about the possibility of a diagnosis of HFA. However, he was not in the end diagnosed on the autism spectrum. He has some of those traits but they don't add up to a diagnosis. He's fine. I don't think he needs any additional support that a diagnosis would bring but we keep it under review and will take him back to doc if he starts to struggle.

[Alecstuart007]

Thank you for that context :) tbh we manage it fine at present. We just don't want it to be something that develops over the years if not diagnosed. Hopefully it isn't anything.

[BackforGood]

NotCitrus - the 'triad of impairments' is quite out of date now. Autism Education Trust now talks about "a quadrant of differences"....... I know

[NotCitrus]

Backforgood Oh ffs... all the terminology keeps changing! Ds got diagnosed a year ago and the triad was explained a lot in the process. they said he would have been diagnosed with asperger;'s a few months earlier but now it's all HFA so the same diagnosis as for kids with more severe autism but still average or higher intelligence like dn...