What she do you get a true indication of their autism?

[Keepcalmanddrinkcoffeeeeee]

My son is 2 and a half and is undergoing diagnosis for autism. It's been pretty much confirmed he has it by the paedatrician - but we will have a proper assessment in a few months.

Anyway, at present it's super hard to tell how affected my son is. Is he HFA or on the lower end of the spectrum ? I know these things can change and I know they don't like yo give levels , but what I am asking is is there a certain age you kinda have an idea where on the spectrum your kid will likely be around ?

Worry this makes no sense ! I hope it does!

[Justanothersingledoutnumber]

Welcome to the boards.
There is no High and low end of the spectrum, it's not a linear thing.

Autism is diagnosed when someone has dibilitating impairments in 'three triads', which is more like a colour spectrum depending on how many trait you have in each area.

I, for example have far more social communication problems than any other section, I can drive, have a job and a very good sense of humour,.
However I'm still not great at using the toilet and can barely tie my own shoe laces, or live independantly.

Low and high functioning come from IQ scores.
A child who is non-verbal with lots of social interaction problems could be high functioning, while someone who has less outward traits could be low functioning.

Autism also isn't set, a non-verbal child at 5 may learn to speak and so on, things can change rapidly when they start.
So it's really impossible for anyone to say how your child will be next year, let alone in the future.

[coffeemachine]

not really sure what you are asking. Severe ASD is not the same as low functioning and HF autism is not necessarily the same as mild ASD.

there is HF (normal to high IQ) vs LF (low IQ) but it doesn't necessarily tell you how severe ones ASD is.

If you wonder about learning diffs, the at 2.5 years old, speech and language can give you a clue. If he has normal or advanced speech and understanding, then I'd hazard a guess that he may be high functioning. if his speech and understanding are behind, it is rather wait and see. but in any case, how much and how his ASD will affect him in the long term is a very different matter.

[Ekorre]

Yes agree with the others. How someone is can depend on where they are (physical surroundings but also emotional events going on etc), it isn't the case that these things are set in stone from birth.

People do talk about the high and low end of the spectrum, how far along someone is, its a common misunderstanding of how complex autism is. Each person is different on different days at different times in their life.

Last year I was told that its now two areas of difficulty for a diagnosis - social and communication have been amalgamated into one as they are so interrelated.

[Keepcalmanddrinkcoffeeeeee]

I'm sorry for my ignorance on the matter. I've read and read about ASD but it still boggles !

Thank you for your thoughts and explanations though, all.

I guess ultimately I just wish I had a bit of an idea about what's ahead. How my son will be affected - if at all.

[coffeemachine]

keep, totally understandable. This question drove me potty when DD was 2-3 years old. I know how you feel. the early days with all their uncertainties are by far the hardest. but it will get easier

[mummytime]

Everyone wants to know - but it is unknowable. I think if you read Temple Grandin's story she had really big difficulties as a child, but has become a "productive member of society". Others can seem less affected when young but really really struggle.

You do have to learn to take each day as it comes. And to accept your child for who they are - they may really struggle with birthday parties but be absolutely brilliant with animals or have you in stitches with their sense of humour.

The one thing I can say is if diagnosed your son will be affected - sometimes and in some ways. But there are lots of things to try to help him.

[Keepcalmanddrinkcoffeeeeee]

Thanks coffee and mummy.

I'm sure I'll learn to accept the uncertainty! It's just so tough isn't it ?

We have done a lot to being him on already. Several professionals have said it's likely he has autism and his I mother I know he does, but I just want the diagnoses to move forward now.

[mummytime]

It is hard.
When he gets the diagnosis it can also be a bit of a "what now?" Moment.
But having that "bit of paper" can help you have a clue where to start looking for help and to fight his corner in the future.

[notgivingin789]

Children who have moderate to severe speech and language difficulties is not an indicator that a child has a learning disability. My child has a severe speech and language difficulties but tested above average cognitively:

[youarenotkiddingme]

Totally understands your head is up your arse doing somersaults!

It's such a unnerving time and we tend to read a lot about it when diagnosis is likely. But it can become more confusing iyswim?

Ask away here. No question is a stupid one and SNMN are really helpful and informative when answering questions.

[youarenotkiddingme]

And totally agree about skills not indicating level if asd and how that will affect them.

My ds is cognitively in top 5% for some things but has severe executive function problems. His language is now above average - was below 4 years ago but has moderately disordered social communication skills.

Personally o prefer to look at how you can use the skills they have to help them rather than spend years working on skills that may always be delayed.

[youarenotkiddingme]

Me too zzzzz I often forget to practice what I preach

[readyornot2011]

I really struggle with this ATM too. My DS will be 3 next month and is awaiting diagnosis but has definite signs of ASD....
He was such an easy baby, when he didn't speak at 2 we put him down to him being a boy with a v talkative big sis, at 2.5 He hadn't made much progress and his peers were leaving him behind. Now as he approaches 3 he can repeat sounds and has the odd set phrase 'I wa idad' (i want iPad) he will sit on the toilet but is still far from trained. When I think of the future my blood runs cold.... I just wish I had more belief in him and my ability to help him but at the moment I'm so caught up in mourning what his peers are doing and what his sis did at the same age.... it breaks my heart.