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.

Or - neurodivergent women are more likely to suffer with poor mental health.

Also, the diagnosis isn’t given by “one doctor”, it has to be a multi-disciplinary assessment. The child themselves has a face to face assessment as well and parent interview plus feedback from school and other professionals.

Utter nonsense to make spurious claims about misdiagnosis and attachment disorders.

ScrappyCats- I completely disagree with you. There are many children being labelled as ASD, particularly young children, when it is attachment issues. I see it ALL the time working in an area with lots of mothers with very poor mental health. Most do not have a formal diagnoses as yet due to the huge waiting list for assessments but ASD is the go to label rather than being honest about what is really going on.

www.acamh.org/blog/autism-attachment-conceptual-clarity/

Whilst ASD and attachment problems can present similarly there are also differences in how they present and the support DC require. The Coventry Grid is a useful starting point at looking at the similarities and differences. I have 2 with ASD and 1 with attachment difficulties due to a bereavement. To an untrained individual at a superficial level their presentations might look similar, but there are significant differences.

Yes- my point is that you have people who around children creating an idea that a child who is not developmentally where they should be must be ASD, when that often is not the case, and due to the length of time waiting for a diagnoses they are already labelled ASD.

That's not the same as being wrongly officially diagnosed, though...
As per a PP, it takes various professionals, discussions and meetings for a proper diagnosis.

According to the study in Manchester and the way they changed how they made their diagnosis, there were children misdiagnosed

Trauma obviously impacts children as it can their parents. However there is a tendency for professionals to blame parenting inappropriately (in my view) more often when parents are poor and working class. It’s very notable. I am not working class so my concerns were treated seriously and my child’s needs weren’t so easily dismissed as “lack of boundaries”. That’s since been vindicated with all manner of external professional reports, but many families never get that far into the process. They just get sent on a parenting course and told to have a better routine.

Not where I work- single most deprived area of UK. The rate of ASD diagnosis is TWICE that of the affluent area a mile away. The problem isn’t getting the diagnosis, it is whether it is the right one. Whole manner of reasons for this- in my experience the health professionals rarely liaise with the people working on the ground with these families and only have a bit of an idea of what is going on/ the amount of trauma/ what mothers mental health is actually like. 4% of children actually diagnosed with autism? When the average is 2??

Trauma and generational trauma could be being misunderstood - although a diagnosis in my area always involves nursery or school who should know families well. There is another possible explanation which is that autism has a genetic component and that autistic adults are typically (not always!) less able to cope with the work place (without adaptations) and therefore what you are seeing is a cumulative impact of generations of unmet need.

This is also in Belfast so yes- intergenerational trauma is huge. But again- not ASD.

Essentially my point is that while there are a lot of children with autism, there are likely to be others being misdiagnosed for a multitude of reasons.

Trauma and autism can co-exist. In fact research suggests autistic individuals are more likely to experience trauma.

Of course they can, especially when the child is a proficient masker and they suffer burnout in the school environment only to be told 'they must attend' or they are 'naughty'.

I have two autistic children who have developed trauma based responses as a result of trying to fit in to the unsuitable environment that was mainstream school.

Now they are both diagnosed autistics it is clear that there is a genetic element in our family on both sides.

Interestingly my youngest really was helped by her diagnosis, it has given her a sense of identity and has been positive for her self esteem. My eldest totally resists his diagnosis. It is only ever divulged on a need to know basis so it depends on the individual.

I agree, just because a child has also experienced trauma doesn’t mean they have been misdiagnosed.