To think a lot of children may be being misdiagnosed with Autism & Adhd

[Dontyoujustlovethebritishsummertime]

When it could really be Pans/pandas?

I think it's quite unlikely. One of the hallmarks of ASD is persistent and enduring symptoms, present from an early age (although they can become more apparent as social demand outweighs skill), whereas PANS/PANDAS has the hallmark of abrupt, severe onset. Clinically, that will look quite different.

Nope. It’s very rigorous. Takes a while as well

It's an interesting hypothesis, OP.

panspandasuk.org/what-are-pans-and-pandas/

PANS
Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
PANDAS
Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections

People with PANS and PANDAS may experience a variety of different physical and mental health symptoms.
Such as:
OCD
Eating restrictions or severely restricted food intake
Anxiety (heightened anxiety, separation anxiety, irrational fears, panic episodes)
Tics
Emotional lability and/or depression
Irritability, aggression, and/or severely oppositional behaviours
Behavioural (developmental) regression (increase in temper tantrums, loss of age-appropriate language, clingy behaviour not related to anxiety)
Sudden deterioration in school performance (due to difficulties with memory, concentration, hyperactivity, impulsivity, new deficits of visuospatial skills)
Motor or sensory abnormalities (dysgraphia, clumsiness, tics, new sensory sensitivities to light, noise, smell, taste or texture)
Insomnia and/or sleep disturbances
Enuresis and/or urinary frequency

*Sometimes hallucinations and/or psychosis might be part of the symptoms experienced, however they are not officially part of the diagnostic criteria.
Remember that children with PANS or PANDAS may present with a different combination of symptoms, and that these symptoms may change over time. You do not need all the symptoms in the list to be diagnosed with PANS or PANDAS.

This is true, but many are being diagnosed with autism when symptoms did begin abruptly

I came here to tell you how offensive that statement is. Then I read that bit above and that’s DD!!!

tbh absolutely nothing has happened as a result of her ASD diagnosis so I’m not sure it makes much difference?

DD was pretty normal until she was 6 or 7. I thought was just more aware due to spending more time with her during lockdown / lockdown itself and it becoming more obvious as social demands changed as she got older

I think it’s important to also remember that pretty much all children over the age of 5 have experienced ‘trauma’ of some sort due to Covid. This manifests in different ways, but I find it strange that as a society we don’t talk about it more.

This is why rigorous diagnostic procedures are important. Our nhs journey involved lots of steps

#Indepth parental interview about development from birth - lasted 2 hours, #child interview,
#2 observed seperate play sessions, observed group sessions,
#school observation,
#Questionnaires for teacher, parents, any relatives who spent lots of time with child,
#medical assessment
Than a final diagnostic interview with 3 practitioners, one observing while they played and asked questions.

2 my children were not diagnosed asd and one was (other two were adhd but too young for that pathway at the time). My kids all had speech issues so were referred by HV as I didnt suspect anything.

Its why im so sceptical of private diganosis after being through our nhs diagnosis

Our private diagnosis took the same form as yours (took out a loan after being on the NHS waiting list for 4 years)

I think it’s screen addiction and junk food-itis in some (not all, before anyone starts) cases.

There is definitely an overlap of symptoms, it’s a very interesting subject and something to consider.

The NHS route here also offers private assessments and it's the same team, multidisciplinary ADOS etc. DS1 &3 were NHS, DS2 privately.

It really is

Agree but not all private diagnosis are the same. People who have gotten a diagnosis through online interviews which blows my mind tbh

What is? Adhd & autism? …come on…

A "controversial hypothetical diagnosis" - sounds like something that is being cooked up to market to parents who don't want to accept that their child is neurodiverse.

I do think autism is sometimes overdiagnosed. Not because it isn’t real or valid, but because life is more overstimulating now than it used to be, and there are so many reasons someone might present in a certain way. Fatigue, anxiety, trauma, sensory overload, or other health conditions can all look similar from the outside.

What really worries me is when a diagnosis ends up being used as the “explanation” for everything, and professionals stop looking any deeper. I’ve seen situations where autism has been used to explain away or even cover signs of neglect or abuse. Once a label is applied, it can be harder for a child to be properly safeguarded because people assume it’s “just the autism.

Don’t be ridiculous, research it more. I’m sure the majority of these parents would much prefer their child to be ND as opposed to what they’re going through

I remember a thread on here where OP was concerned about her 16 year old DS who had suddenly become withdrawn, anxious etc. Of course everyone responded with ‘ASD ASSESSMENT’ but first she took him for blood tests which revealed his vitamin D was on the floor. After a few weeks of supplementing her son completely recovered to his old self. How many kids may be deficient given they barely go outside any more?

Bit of a goady title there OP.

I think if 1 in 6/7 kids are being diagnosed with something you would expect a lot of talk about it.

Not at all. This is a very serious issue for many poor parents and children being told they’re autistic, when they’re is so much more going on

There

A diagnosis opens the door to access services like occupational therapy, speech and language therapy (which includes feeding therapy), physiotherapy, psychological support, and educational intervention , which are offered according to the needs of the individual. It’s not like there’s an autism package that’s one size fits all.

On top of that it’s recognised that autism usually presents with comorbidities, and referrals would be made to other medical specialisms, as and when.

The decisions about what to work on are made through a combination of standardised assessments, professional judgement, parent’s concerns and priorities and referrals.

So a child who has been misdiagnosed with autism, may be accessing the services and support that they need. There is quite a range of relatively rare but similar-ish syndromes and it makes more sense to invest more funding in post diagnostic services than splitting hairs on the finer points of diagnosis. Not saying that’s ideal but it’s pragmatic.

I haven’t met anyone in the parent support groups that can’t name multiple relatives across generations that share obvious traits so I cannot believe it’s produced by screens and chicken nuggets.

A lot of truth in there. A label ...what is this and why do you need it. Why not caring for each child as they are and give them what they need