I am an "autism expert". Ask me anything.

[AutismProf]

Worked in autism assessment, diagnosis and intervention on the education side for 20+ years. Ask me anything.

However, please note that I cannot personally do anything about waiting lists for diagnosis, or the education system, and I won't be blamed for these!

Could you please break down the role of an educational psychologist like I'm 5. What would you do for say a 12 year old child or teen who's just diagnosed as having ASD. Thanks.

Would you support a broadening of the NICE guidelines to allow other professionals, such as yourself, to diagnose autistic children without a Psychiatrist or Clinical Child Psychologist involved? It could cut waiting lists and you are highly trained, have lots of experience and are already involved in diagnosing after all!

I am sorry, I wouldn't like to hazard a guess about this and I think seeking medical opinions first is important.

Occasionally we do come across youngsters who make themselves (not consciously!) literally sick with anxiety, but that doesn't sound very like your description?

What would you advise about getting a diagnosis privately? I was looking at assessments online, but is that a safe, reliable route?

Do you diagnose pda ? In our county it isn’t diagnosed but in the next county it is ? It seems like a postcode lottery .

My next question is do you think parents are given enough support with diagnosis . I was literally send a letter saying my D’s has Asd..

nothing more

Hi. I have been having concerns about my 2 year old and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was to be diagnosed in the future. When I raised my concerns with the HV at his 2 year old check, she said she doesn’t think I have anything to worry about and that most diagnoses for ASD aren’t usually done until around 8 or 9 years old. If this is true, I’m a bit of a loss of what I can do to support him (if there’s anything I can do) it’s just a bit of a confusing time for me not knowing what’s what. He isn’t speaking yet, not even one word but I am waiting for his first SALT appointment. Will they raise any issues with me?

I think so, yes. It's about so much more than learning support. It's about understanding something fundamental about oneself, that one operates in a way that differs from the majority, that this is not your imagination, your fault, or something inherently "wrong" about you. Autism is the way one perceives and interacts with the world at a very fundamental level, and whilst autistic people are sadly often misunderstood or mistreated, this is (in my opinion) endemic in those who are undiagnosed.

She's wrong. My son was diagnosed at 2.5. The earlier the better. I was very fortunate with my HV who recognised the traits immediately. I'd insist on early intervention.

My DD5 shows a number of autistic traits (and has since she was tiny) but is managing at school (though emotionally exhausted by it and talks frequently about being ‘different’ to other children) and doing well academically. The school are watching to see how she develops to guide whether to get her assessed. Would it be in her best interest to push for an early diagnosis now?

She is great at talking to adults about things she’s interested in but struggles with her peers (E.g. she used to pretend to be a mouse with x at playtime but they don’t want to play that anymore so now she doesn’t play with her). Huge meltdowns after school. Sensory issues with the uniform. Struggles with change of routine even
if for ‘nice’ things. Has very specific fascinations and is entirely focused on them. Is a lovely kid who other kids want to play with but doesn’t really know how to react - she’ll arrive somewhere and see a friend who’s smiling and waving hello to her and she’ll completely blank them. Hates ‘girly’ stuff - unicorns, rainbows, princesses, cats, pink, purple and is instead fixated on reptiles and space at present. Love her madly and just want to set her up to be happy as she progresses through school…

Please can you advise if the following are traits of Autism or if I am (as I believe) living with someone who is an abusive narcissist:

1. Irrational outbursts of anger (even the wind blowing - no exaggeration - causing a reaction).
2. Selfishness - believing that everything should be done for them and they should have to do nothing for themselves/anyone else.
3. Doing everything in their power to get a reaction from someone as it gives them pleasure.
4. Believing that everyone else is in the wrong but they can never do any wrong (essentially they are always the victim).

Thank you in advance x

Do you think that they should bring back the labels Aspergers etc. As what I see the people who are ‘high functioning’ get less support and struggle more as they ‘don’t look autistic’ as it’s all under one umbrella.

Thank you OP for this thread. I'm enjoying your answers. Wish more and more medical professionals were more like you. Sadly, many are still ignorant when it comes to Autism.

@AutismProf outside the autism and severe LD "kanner" type referred in early childhood do Kanner type autistics have LD? I thought his whole vibe was it was a severe presentation of autism not learning disability that caused the difficulties? (Not that autistics can’t have LD but my understanding was he was differentiating from LD with a new descriptor)

I don't really understand the idea that autism related anxiety shouldn't be treated. I hope that isn't the case in our camhs (note, our multiagency diagnostic pathway is not "in" camhs). To me that's a bit like saying "well, stiff legs are part of cerebral palsy so we won't treat them".

Can she access any school based anxiety support? Are you in a Thrive in schools area for example? Could she access online support such as kooth?

I would be tempted to query this with MP/pals to be honest. It'll be because of underfunding and understaffing, but that doesn't mean it's ok.

I'm an autistic female (46). My AuDHD DH and I get on well when we're doing things that he likes doing. If anything's important to me but doesn't really suit him, he tends to derail it. He has micromanaged a lot of things I do and taken over many of my hobbies. He has undone even some really small things I've done and redone them again his way as it is "better" his way. Am I in a controlling relationship? (Genuine question, sorry I don't the answer!)

Is the risk of a (positive) misdiagnosis high? I.E. Could a ‘sensitive’ child be mistakenly diagnosed as autistic? Thank you

My 13 year old believes she is autistic. We've had initial CAMHS appointment & they agreed she shows autistic traits so have referred for assessment. Is there any suggestions on what I can do to help in the mean time? We have adaptions in school and I've researched lots to help adapt my parenting style/understand her more. Would it help to seek a diagnosis privately? It's quite a stretch financially so want it to be worth it

My father is 81 and autistic. He is very challenging, but looking back on the past, he has been taken advantage off and bullied by people, his whole life.

I find it incredibly worrying tbh.

To me, it's clear that thinking you don't fit in/ aren't a "proper girl" because you don't do girly properly/ find comfort in the online world/ black and white thinking/ ready and welcoming community online are obvious contributory factors to the explosion in autistic youngsters thinking all their problems are due to being trans rather than being a cultural and brain type minority in a complex social world of adolescence.

We urgently need stronger legislation to protect the community imo.

I'm at breaking point with my teenage daughter, non verbal, autism, learning disabilities. Since lockdown her world has become so so small. She only wants to lie on the sofa. Even getting her to go to the kitchen is a major battle. She is triggered by noise, dog barking, young children crying - will be aggressive towards both. Scared to take her out in case she hurts someone. Ear defenders don't help. We used to take her everywhere now can take her nowhere. No one seems to have any idea how to tackle this. Any suggestions?

What, in your opinion, is the difference in being a highly sensitive/deeply feeling girl, and an autistic girl? Are they the same, is there a vent diagram overlap? Google doesn’t seem to know.

For example, a girl who struggles a lot with textures, sounds, hyper aware of emotions and social interactions, very sensitive to the entire world etc.

This is very specific but my son has autism and is verbal. He had an ed psych assessment, aged 7, which said he had no learning difficulties. But he cant seem to learn anything new. He got to year 2, when the assessment was done and has made no progress with reading, writing or maths since. He is now 13. (Special school, 1 to 1 support) He has learned a lot of gardening skills and to play ukulele

What is it in autism that seems to affect learning, when there is apparently no learning difficulty. It seems common to just stop developing.

Question 2: What is your opinion on helping manage some autistic symptoms with supplements?

I took so long typing, I didn’t realise you’d asked the same question

I read the first one and had to step away from them, to be honest.
They may have changed in the intervening few years I suppose.
If they haven't changed, all i can say is that whilst I genuinely understand people's needs to vent, I sincerely hope that my children find future life partners who read up more on autism (if they are NT) and have more empathy.