Misdiagnosed autism?

[zanyzoo]

Hi I've posted in SEN with no response

My son is 5 and has just been diagnosed with autism, using an ADOS screening with OT, SLT and paed. I've always suspected as he is very controlling, intense fears, obsessive and has rituals/routines. He also has quite a few sensory issues and he's being referred by his school to have an Dyspraxia assessment.

I've always encouraged him to do things that put him out of his comfort zone, gently of course and things he'd ultimately enjoy. He used to cry and be a lot more anxious, but we've persevered and he's grown in confidence

This week alone I have dropped him at a new swimming course where he knew no one, he's been to a play date at a friends house who he hasn't been to before and he participated confidently in a group I took him to. He has done so well with all of these things I'm thinking has he been misdiagnosed? Is that even possible?

Zanyzoo it's got worse since he has gotten older. I was attracted to dh introvert, quite and intellectual nature at uni, unlike the other boorish, and arrogant men, that only wanted to get you into bed.

@Aeroflotgirl that's the other thing, I'm not sure if my son does have any stims.. although when he's extra agitated or extra happy he does do some weird dances/movements with his face and noises.. but they aren't like a repetitive stim and can present differently at different times, so not sure if that counts. When he's overwhelmed or excited he also runs! Really fast! Think I should get him into a running club 😂

My DS has ASD and is now 29, so it has been a very long road. You have had a lot of good advice and support on this thread, so I am not going to say very much. One thing that might be helpful is that my son never stops learning and improving. He also has learning difficulties, but despite that he has continued to develop new skills, even if the progression is quite slow. He holds down a job, travels on his own and still lives with us, but always moves forwards.

Best wishes to you and your boy.

@GurlwiththeCurl lovely post, thank you so much ❤️

My husband does not stimulation or flap, nothing. They are all different, and display in different ways.

@Zanyzoo, my diagnosis came as a result of watching my child and realising that he was a version of me, in so many ways. I went to see a gp many years ago who just laughed (literally) and said no, I was NOT autistic. She prescribed antidepressants and advised me to get out more/join the Ramblers. I just knew I didn’t “fit”. I had a good job, was doing well, had one or two friends but....I just FELT different. I had no real concept of “self”. Me, as a person, is a reflection of who I’m with. Of course, with family I’m more “me” but I was automatically doing so muc masking to “fit” that I would feel exhausted afterward. I went and saw another gp who listened and didn’t laugh and referred me. I think I waited 3 months and was then diagnosed as having Aspergers. I am clever, articulate, reliable and very thorough.

The dr who diagnosed me said she knew within 5 mins of meeting me as there had been a lot of form filling leading up to the one to one assessment. I felt huge relief. I know WHY I don’t “get” things, why people thought me aloof, why I was so so good at my special interest (which became a career), why I was such a good mimic (still am - so is my son), why I cannot for the life of me tell a joke, why I take stuff literally and am deemed gullible and cannot lie. I also need to check with DH that things are ok between us (I simply cannot tell). I recently when to a school reunion and was fascinated at others memories of me (it was a boarding school) as I had no idea what I was “like” and how I came across.

If you suspect you may have asd and need to know, as I did, for my own sanity, seek a diagnosis via your gp.

@MissKittyBeaudelais you easily could have described me there........! I just feel so embarrassed to go to the gp, I feel I will be laughed out of there and people are already looking at me as if I'm crazy when I say my son is.

So the nhs can diagnose an adult?

Yep. It took longer for me, partly because I think they lost my referral at least once, but yes, I went to the GP and said I thought I should have an assessment. They were very startled, but perfectly nice and friendly about it. I had to do a short questionnaire (10 questions) and I easily met the level that pointed to a referralbei g the right thing.
The diagnosis differs area to area. I had to fill out lots of forms, then have a meeting with a consultNt psychiatrist who asked about my childhood and how I managed in social situations. Then another meeting with a specialist psychologist for an ADOS (autism diagnostic observation schedule) which was mostly a set of tasks like making up a story using small objects (I couldn’t do that bit at all ).
The two HCPs will each form their own conclusions, then work out together what to tell me. I get one more meeting (in 3 weeks) where they will tell me the outcome. Not just ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but hopefully also detail about what my strengths and weaknesses are, how my autism (assuming I have it) manifests itself and hopefully some guidance on what to do with the information.

@Allfednonedead that all sounds very positive. I'm so pleased for you (if that's the right thing to say!?) I think I would be able to make up a story? But I suppose as others have said on here it is a spectrum and there's different strengths and weaknesses for all. I will feel ridiculous doing it but once I've got my sons report I think I need to get myself to the gp!

OP, what d’you mean “make up a story”?

And yes, the nhs will diagnose but, with funding as it is, you may have a long wait.

My one of my ds got asd diagnosis 4. No one saw it people were shocked. He's nearly 8 and raging ball of anger. He doesn't stun, makes great eye contact, quite social BUT he gets overwhelmed very easy, flips at the slightest thing, gets really cross out of no where. He's not your typical autistic (if there is such a thing) but he's still has asd

@Waveysnail my son is quite angry!

@MissKittyBeaudelais the previous poster said that one of the tasks in her diagnosis was to make up a story using objects.

Of course, I realise now.

And, that would be excruciating and or impossible for me. I think that’s why I’m pretty crap with babies; my imagination doesn’t work that way. As kids get older, I can have a mini adult conversation but babies and toddlers scare me! 😁