If a diagnosis is necessary?

[Flatwhitetostayin]

My son has just been diagnosed as dyslexic. In the educational assessment it suggested we might want to pursue an assessment for dyspraxia and ASD also. I see the value in pursuing the dyspraxia assessment but I feel a bit hesitant about going down the ASD path. Is a diagnosis always a good thing? I think he's pretty high functioning. Tho I do worry about his mental health because he always seems to put barriers in his way and I think this night be part of the ASD. He's still primary age. And whenever I read about ASD I can identify with parts but my sons behaviour is incredibly inconsistent so I don't know if I'm barking up the wrong tree. I don't want to do my son a disservice and not get him support that might help him, or help him understand himself more but I also don't want to medicalise him unecessarily(if that's what possibly happens?) I really don't know a huge amount about it and would value anyone's expereinces. Thanks.x

I don' t really understand why you are happy to have a dyslexia and dyspraxia diagnosis but not want to look at the other possibilties.
I look at it this way, if you thought your child had a medical condition, you would seek a diagnosis.
ASD is not a medical condition, its not an illness, its how the brain is wired. My son has ASD, there is a lot of support out there - why would you not want it ?
From another perspective, I have a member of my team at work, who was very problematic when he started work with us and nearly lost his job. We suspected ASD, but he never had a diagnosis. We took him through occupational health to get a diagnosis. He was 28 and had gone through life feeling he was different, being isolated and not knowing why. With a diagnosis we could make reasonable adjustments at work and he could start to learn strategies to manage his behaviours and anxieties. Its the first job he has held down for more than 6 months. He'd also never had a relationship - now he has a partner. I think its a shame he had to wait until he was 28 to understand who he is.
If the assessment is offered I would take it - at least you would know. What you do with the information is up to you

Why is one diagnosis more acceptable than another?

Think long term, a diagnosis if nothing else will help him understand who he is