Sensory issues part of ASD?

[adrianna1]

I heard that they are going to put sensory issues as part of diagnosing autism? Is this true?

[adrianna1]

Also going to add a new diagnosis ? Social communication disorder:

www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-diagnosis/changes-to-autism-and-as-diagnostic-criteria/qanda-dsm-5.aspx

They are always changing (sigh).

[hazeyjane]

Ds's SALT said he had social communication difficulties, but she didn't think he was autistic. He has a lot of sensory issues as well, but his OT said that children with low muscle tone often have sensory issues.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

I think the key thing is that it is perfectly possible to have more than 1 of the things which features in the criteria but to not be considered as having autism.

[adrianna1]

@non...I know that. But I think this year..or sometime soon, they are going to add sensory issues as part of the fourth triad thing....

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

I read somewhere they were adding it in but I thought it was in America. not sure where I got that fromt.

Sensory issues aren't always a problem, someone can be sensory seeking in the sense that they like stroking furry material or walking on soft surfaces or something but that doesn't mean it causes them a problem with day to day life, they just use the sense of touch for example more than most other people. OR sensory issues can cause terrible problems if people are oversensitive or need to carry out sensory seeking behaviour all the time. It often does occur alongside ASD but is it really part of ASD? personally I don't think so, I think it is a separate area which can overlap in some cases. Perhaps I am wrong but I don't think all people who have ASD have sensory issues do they?

[adrianna1]

• Yes agreeing with PolterGoose my friend who is an ASD worker, told me about this new sensory criteria as most but if not all kids with ASD have some sensory issues..

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

oh I hadn't realised it was so common with ASD.

[sittinginsilence]

I attended a NAS Family Programme workshop recently and the facilitator included sensory issues now being included - not within the triad of impairment but kind of in the middle, so looks like something the National Autistic Society are rolling out at their sessions.
Part of their family programme now includes a sensory issues workshop too