Is your child diagnosed with autism?

[Hidehi4]

Just out of curiosity how many people who use this forum has a autistic child who has been diagnosed.
YANBU - child has been diagnosed by a professional

YABU - child not autistic, waiting on a assessment

DD diagnosed at 5, then diagnosed ADHD too at 6. She is also diagnosed severe speech disorder, SPD and severe dyslexia.

DS diagnosed at 4. I suspect we will be adding ADHD at 6 too.

Dd is was diagnosed at 8, and received her ADHD diagnosis shortly afterwards. 3 year waiting for the ASD assessment, ADHD came out of all the observations and assessments from that, only needed a few more forms and meetings so an additional 6 months or so.

Ds 9 diagnosed aged 3. Severe and complex autism with dyspraxia, hypermobility and learning disabilities. Attends a specialist school for children with autism. I also have an older adult child aged 18 who has no special needs and is at university.

My daughter was 9 when she was diagnosed. It wasn't too long a process about 7 months I think.
It wasn't a shock I knew she was autistic before we got the diagnosis.
I think my son is autistic too but is only 17 months and too young to be diagnosed.

My 2 kids (16 and 6) ARE autistic.

They don't "have" autism, it's not something you have it's something you are.

@WillowUfgood

My 2 kids (16 and 6) ARE autistic.

They don't "have" autism, it's not something you have it's something you are.

Children can have "autistic spectrum disorder" - there are varying degrees. I'm not sure everyone would agree with your comment that you either are or aren't. And not everyone wants their diagnosis to be their identify.

DS has sensory issues, it's been evident that there's neurodiversity there since he was a tiny baby.

He's being assessed at school for sensory processing disorder and is "probably on the spectrum" but is very good at masking. Because we experience his issues mildly most of the time, so as long as we make minor adjustments, he is happy and thriving.

He is probably what would have until recently been termed as aspergers as that seems to fit best.

Yes

@WillowUfgood

My 2 kids (16 and 6) ARE autistic.

They don't "have" autism, it's not something you have it's something you are.

I AM autistic. I HAVE an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Mind your business and stop policing peoples language when you're not actually autistic yourself. Thanks.

Disorder or condition @EmorionalSupportBear?
The whole thing is a bloody mine field with terminology ,I say my son is autistic and has autistic spectrum disorder ,because that's what's on his diagnosis,but other people prefer condition

disorder is what it says on my medical records.

Yes 1x autistic child.
I am also a Speech Pathologist and assess and diag autism (Australia)

X2

*"My 2 kids (16 and 6) ARE autistic.

They don't "have" autism, it's not something you have it's something you are"*

I really don't understand this @WillowUfgood. Isn't it just a noun and an adjective?

Eg I have diabetes. I am diabetic.
I have epilepsy. I am epileptic.
I have autism. I am autistic.

Please could you explain your reasoning as I am (genuinely,
not being snarky) interested?

@WillowUfgood

My 2 kids (16 and 6) ARE autistic.

They don't "have" autism, it's not something you have it's something you are.

I know of several people who are adults diagnosed and they use both have autism and are autistic (dd is awaiting diagnosis but too young to choose a phrase herself). It's not for us to decide how to phrase this, it's for us to respect how they choose to identify themselves.

@WillowUfgood

My 2 kids (16 and 6) ARE autistic.

They don't "have" autism, it's not something you have it's something you are.

That’s fine if that’s how they wish to describe themselves. My ds “has autism” and hates the term autistic and would never want to be described as autistic. For him he feels he is many other things as well as “autistic” - autism is just part of who he is.

My children 'have autism' and DD2 describes herself as 'autistic', but I would never say 'she's autistic' about her.

My ds was diagnosed with autism at age 3.