Is it ASD that frequently?

[EverybodyWakeUp]

And if so, why is this the case? It seems that in modern society we're heading towards so many diagnosis of ASD, that we might have to change our thinking and perhaps being neurotypical is not necessarily the norm?

Are there other things that explain traits/symptoms more accurately, like the way our society is, our education system, life pressures, etc?

I hope I am not offending, truly not my intention. I really want to understand more. I am a true supporter of diversity but I feel puzzled that some forms of ASD, say what used to be Aspergers, can be classed as a disability.

If my post offends it truly is because I haven't explained myself properly and I apologise in advance. Any good articles/websites/books on this would be welcome.

While I agree that discussion may occur regarding a diagnosis or possible diagnosis of any health condition. My point was that it wouldn't be framed as "Is it really xxx most of the time?" It is the disbelief that stands out.

Yes! This is it. I receny went to a tribunal for PIP (as I've previously disclosed, I'm physically disabled and have Autism) The judge actually said to me "Ah! So you can do these things - you just have to steel yourself" I was so upset and overwhelmed I went into shutdown mode and wept at his inability to grasp my struggles and my difficulties in communicating them.

I know what you meant but I still don’t think that is the case, and I say that as an autistic poster with autistic DC. My DC happen to have medical conditions too, and that disbelief is just as prevalent for some of their medical conditions, e.g. allergies.

Again, I agree and solidarity regarding Autism. I've had food allergies, asthma, eczema and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome for 51 years. Most recently Osteoarthritis. And then menopause on top. The allergy thing used to be questioned a lot (especially in those of us who also have intolerances to wheat / dairy / chocolate etc) I think it's been discussed a lot - certainly on MN in the last decade or so. I think the point I was making was that Neurodiversity seems to be the thing that is being 'called out' a lot recently.

The PP who likened it to Mental Health conditions was right. Except Anxiety and Depression have been discussed a lot recently. The myths have been questioned. The stigma has been debunked. (Or at least is going some way to challenging that)

But for me, as a disabled person with many health conditions, it is the Autism that is always called out (in my experience) And the thing that is 'less believed' I've masked for so long and tried to fit in. After 5 decades, I'm broken.

Again, solidarity to all who are affected by Autism and battling their struggles on a daily basis.

It’s really interesting what you say. Personally, the allergies (especially the anaphylactic allergy to animals and fish/shellfish) and another medical condition are the ones that are questioned in that vein the most for us.

I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. I'm gaslighted constantly by healthcare professionals who do not understand that condition or my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I am not here to score points, however. This is a discussion about Autism.

I'm sorry I mentioned other conditions. It's ended up derailing the thread.

I'm out.

I wasn’t trying to point score, I was genuinely interested in your experiences and posting ours. I don’t why you have responded to my last post as you have.

@orbitalcrisis

Yes, it’s a disability and disabling. I don’t think it’s a spectrum though. I reject the idea ASD is a linear progression from mild to severe, or low to high functioning or has subcategories/types

That's not what spectrum means though in terms of ASD. I can understand why you would think that, but it's not linear. It's more of a pie chart. Then if you think of each "slice" being an ASD trait, one person may be better at one part than another also diagnosed with ASD. Hope this picture makes it easier to understand

@bippityboppity87 Did you mean to tag me? You're not quoting me.

No 😂 I got mixed up with the usernames. I meant @Onnabugeisha

@bippityboppity87

You are a revelation me. I’d never seen a graphic of “the spectrum” before. And now I’m thinking why’d they call it a spectrum if they meant a wheel? Thank you for posting that.

You might find these 2 links helpful too - one and two. A spectrum doesn’t just mean a linear spectrum, it can be in the shape of a wheel.

I think of that Neuroclastic link a lot.

I'd love to be able to make one of this spectrum images for my ds. Would be great to be able to hand something visual like that to teachers and employers.

Do you have any evidence to back this up or is just ignorant speculation?

@toffeecrisps Exactly - none of that would explain how many generations of the same family are all autistic

Haven’t read all posts- a lot of cases are actually attachment disorder and not ASD.

What do you mean by that @Janedoe82 ?

Do you mean that a lot of cases that have been examined through the specific and extensive criteria for autism and as a result then have a diagnosis made by a suitably qualified clinician, are not actually autism, but attachment disorder?

Or that a lot of suspected cases of autism are actually attachment disorder?

If you're saying the former, what is your source for that?

Both. The symptoms present the same and unless the doctor knows the full family background often misdiagnoses- same with a lot of the children on the pathway and being labelled already as ASD by other Health professionals such as SLTs, Health Visitors and Childcare practitioners. It is becoming especially evident with the fall out of covid and so many of the covid babies being developmentally delayed.
There was extensive research done by doctors in Manchester a couple of years ago- can’t remember the name of the Doctor but they changed their diagnoses model as a result- was at a conference about it just before covid.
Poor perinatal mental health often leads to attachment disorders. Perinatal mental health is worse is disadvantaged areas, and diagnoses of ASD in these areas is also significantly higher- indicating it isn’t ASD but attachment disorders.

I have seen attachmrnt disorder and asd present very similarly at work, but the techniques to manage /support are very different.

Im not sure how a doctor could diagnose without knowing the family history - certainly in my area we had a big long parent interview about our family background before we go onto the next steps. Is it an area thing, my sons diagnosis was multidisciplinary and all the people then sat in a meeting to check they agreed with each other.

I think it is especially an issue with children being diagnosed when they are very young.
Also- playing devils advocate, even with questionnaires, it is possible that some parents will play down or not divulge the full family set up and what is going on, so doctors are relying on parents telling them the truth.
The numbers coming through now being labelled as ASD is just not possible. Where I am there are nursery classes with 80% being referred to the Child Development Clinic with Autism Query and parents then thinking their child is autistic, when it really isn’t that at all.

That was my experience as the parent of a diagnosed ASD child, @AntlerRose . I'm not sure how anyone involved in diagnosis of ASD can not know the family background. DD had so many tests, many starting before ASD testing proper (eyesight, hearing, other physical stuff) as well as long drawn out process with lots of interviews with DH and I before diagnosis. Took forever.
Perhaps they're quicker to diagnose in other areas, and thus mistakes are made?

That was interesting to read though, @Janedoe82 . I wonder how many misdiagnoses there actually are.

Yes- and how many children actually have a FORMAL diagnosis. I know of many people who think as it has been suggested as another health professionals/ referred for assessment which takes a couple of years, that their child has ASD. When they don’t.

My child has a formal diagnosis and I agree with it (it was obvious) but I was surprised that the diagnostic process wasn’t as thorough as I expected.

Yes this 💯
j am a primary SENCO and would say I can spot ASD a mile off. There are many older friends, acquaintances and relatives who are undiagnosed as who had a tough time at school or in life generally. Unfortunately I know two youngish people (30's) who have died as an indirect result of never having their Autism identified. One was a dear friend who took his own life after years of low level bullying at school, college and even in the workplace. Another was a girl who basically died of alcoholism after drinking to 'fit in' her whole adult life. Knowing both well and observing their social and communication difficulties, I believe that if they had had their needs identified when they were younger they wouldn't have suffered so much mentally.

Not sure about that @Mummummummumyyyyy My daughter was diagnosed aged 8, but even with that is struggling and had suicide ideation. As a teenager she feels "like an alien" who will never fit in or have friends. It's heartbreaking. Her needs have been, to an extent, identified; and she's had some help, but this identification, this "there's a valid reason I'm like this" badge doesn't magically make autistic people fit in or prevent them being bullied.