Can someone explain what atypical autism means please

[sleepyhorse]

Just that really, had never heard of it until one if the professionals dealing with ds mentioned it yesterday as a high possibility of what's wrong with him.

sleepyhorse

atypical is a professional observing that some observed issues could be matched with issues that can define a condition. So your DS may have observed issues which are typical in those whop have autism.
The problem with autism is that it is diagnosed as a result of a collection of professional subjective observations, and not specific clinical diagnostic tests, which can be applied to most other conditions. Science and research are moving slowly towards sufficient understanding of the various underlying conditions which can combine to cause observed behaviour traits that define autism ASD. So it is possible to identify some of the attention, auditory, visual, and working memory issues, but not all, and how they can inter related to cause the problems known as ASD.

Thanks Dolfrog...

When the psychiatrist dxed Dd3 she said she was going to dx Atypical Autism but then had decided to dx with ASD because she felt that not enough was known about Atypical Autism and that Dd3 might not be able to access the support she needs.

Dont suppose that helps you at all but it is another experience

I guess people might say my ds has atypical autism or SCD. I don't think it really matters what the dx specifically is. What matters are your ds's strengths and areas that could be improved.

Oh ok thanks. What is SCD? Does your ds have language and speech problems?

hi sleepy :), SCD = social communication disorder. Autism is a SCD but not every SCD is autism. to get a dx of ASD you need to meet the triad impairments. if you don't meet the triad of impairments, then it is only a SCD ( or so our salt explained it to me )

what makes the consultant think DS might have atypical ASD?

It is social communication disorder sleepy,

It is part of the autistic spectrum but without the proffs actually giving that label.

I meant to say that i was expecting Dd3 to be dxed with aspergers because she didnt have a speech delay but the psych decided that she wasnt obsessive enough for aspergers. I disagree and most other proffs who know her think she has aspergers too.

At the end of the day if you know your child needs a label ASD is as good as anything because it opens doors to them that they need to get support.

Good luck