Autism

[lolly07766]

I know there are many threads concerning this subject, I've just read one now.
I have a son with severe autism, limited communication and obvious learning disabilities, aibu to think the diagnosis/description should be changed for high functioning people, as opposed to those who have serious disabilities.

This.

two other things worth noting on the anxiety side of things - many adults (especially women) who are being diagnosed as autistic all their life have had massive anxiety and other MH struggles throughout their lives which the wider issue of the autism hasn’t been diagnosed.

when autism is diagnosed too often CAMHs and other services turn away those presenting with anxiety because the say their is nothing they can do to support it so too often they are left with no support for it which makes everything so much harder.

All good @OneFrenchEgg I think, I honestly think we all want to understand each other it’s just the nature of the subject that it gets in a muddle sometimes. It’s good for me to experience a little of the minefield my child lives in and it’s good for all of us to understand each other better.

He functions really well. He can use a toilet, he can walk. He can talk. What he says is not alway on topic, is fast with unusual intonation and not everyone understands him. His receptive language skills are not as good as his verbal skills. He can understand two step instructions with prompts, visuals and processing time. But not anything implied or in longer sentences. He is 13 now, but his academic stage and social skills is at a 5-6 year old level. He walks with pigion toes, and hand flaps most of the time. He also has to spin a lot and has no concept of time or place so if he needs to spin in the middle if a road, he will. His restricted interests are luckiky socially acceptable. At one point it was opening and closing doors. But now it is star wars and pirates. He didnt mask but he did shutdown but in nursery/reception a shutdown doesnt matter because its quiet. Nursery / gp thought it might be anxiety because i was anxious (because no one was listening) so they did these talking therapies and breathing exercises and nurture groups around worries. They decided it was autism when he moved from shutdowns to meltdowns as they were more bother in school. He has been in a special school since year 3. To give an idea of his social skills, the OT was excited and called us because he engaged in parrallel play this term.

Thecsupport has been around his receptive language, need for routine and sensory input. He is much less anxious as a result. It took a ling time for people to 'get' that just because a child talks well, they dont always process/understand what is said to them. But apparently his iq is average. So its not a learning disability.

May I ask please, how did learning another language make it easier? If the language has a different sentence structure does this help you please? Or anything else that you think is relevant.

My ds knows nouns and some sentences in various languages. He can't communicate with them usefully, he can't communicate in English very well (very very basic) but it fascinates me that he can translate hundreds of words, a but like google transkate for single words. I've read about people with autism learning other languages that are easier than English and more straight forward to communicate with because English is a difficult language. I'd be really interested if you have any insight into how it helped you on a personal level as I obviously want to help my son and wonder how much he's trying to help himself.

Hi - I found that there was a natural acceptance that minor misunderstanding might be due to a language barrier (even as I gained fluency) so there was relief in not being 'wrong'. I found friendship easier because my intent was not questioned or misunderstood - no one picked up on little nuance.
Also, learning lots of new phrases that didn't translate gave me more vocabulary and understanding of expressing myself.
I felt a real freedom and some of my happiest days were spent abroad.

There’s lots of info / articles/ medic info / research papers on the link between the above preservatives and autism.

I can’t attach, I have no idea how too
but if you Google the above you’ll see it..

I then just looked up which foods have the real ent preservatives.

If you can't be arsed to even link you can't expect anyone to take you even remotely seriously.

i think if you think you’ve found the key @Thekirit it might be a good idea to start a separate thread as this is really about diagnosis so people may not respond.

@Spendonsend and @OneFrenchEgg I've got a loaded day today and have to got see the slt with my son just now. I didn't want to not reply when you've both kindly answered, thank you but I also didn't want to rush my replies either. I hope it's OK if I come back to you later please.

Yes of course, good luck x

That’s very rude
As I said I don’t know to…I did say that.

Cant you Google

for example..I just googled the words
’ preservatives linked to autism’. (PPA is known on food labelling as the E numbers I mentioned. )
and
‘research on preservatives linked to autism’.

I don’t have an autistic child, I just read a lot of research that’s being going on and scientists have been aware of for over 10 years and thought…….maybe I should mention this on the autism thread.

I went out of my way to put this out there and you’re rude!!!!!
How bloody disgusting some people are.

Not found any key
Dont have autistic children
Just read lots of research…………
Letting you all know as you will be more interested, concerned, have a vested interest in this.

I agree. They very much can be standalone conditions in and of themselves and there are vast differences in support needs depending on where you are on the spectrum.

I really don't think its helpful to put everyone under the same umbrella and it looks like this is widely recognised and will be reflected soon.

I went out of my way to put this out there and you’re rude!!!!!
How bloody disgusting some people are.

Not really - you didn't add an actual link, so we had to google. This thread is also about language around diagnosis and need not cause. You've also not included your thoughts on why this is a credible source.

I give up……..I don’t know how to link, I did say
Why bother'!!!!!
Thought you’d care!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully someone on here will and quietly look up the info and take note about what they’re eating.

Doesn't anyone recognise kindness and consideration these days.

I think you have posted in an inappropriate place about something rather silly @Thekirit but there may be someone with a serious neurodevelopmental disorder or a child who has one who wants google search suggestions, just not in the middle of a discussion about the ramifications of the change in criteria for asd diagnosis between DSM IV and DSM V. (All googlable if you aren’t aware of what I mean.

*I give up……..I don’t know how to link, I did say
Why bother'!!!!!
Thought you’d care!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully someone on here will and quietly look up the info and take note about what they’re eating.

Doesn't anyone recognise kindness and consideration these days.*

I did look it up if you scroll back you can see my response.

elizmalambert.com/the-link-between-processed-foods-gut-bacteria-and-autism/

Here is the extremely helpful and not at all selling you stuff website a previous pp mentioned.

Thankyou for linking. I just don’t know how to
but attached are more, many countries researching
Also in the many other medical journals.
Not selling my stuff, don’t know what that means,

Ill leave you all to it now as clearly this discussion is about a different aspect of autism.

Humanity constantly amazes me (not always in a good way) <sigh>

Thanks kirit I think maybe it's well intentioned and landed wrong. I can see you are really interested in nutrition and it's impact.

Yes it's quite clear you don't have autistic children.

When I googled it I found some articles about some early stage research that may provide a link between a certain additive and autism when consumed when pregnant. Nothing about this Elizma Lambert person who appears to be peddling pseudoscience.

when you had to actually have substantial symptoms.

You still do…

In order to be diagnosed one is required to have “persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction” and “restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests” that “limit and impair everyday functioning”

Anyone who meets the criteria for a diagnosis also meets the Equality Act’s definition of being disabled.

Masking is far more than “finding something hard”.

fluffyoverlord, what's your thoughts on 'middle aged people' with substantial symptoms getting a diagnosis, is that allowed?