are we going to get an Asperger's diagnosis here do you think?

[welliwouldnt]

I appreciate this is a bit of an open question! DD (6) has low tone and displays slightly 'flappy' behaviour and an intolerance to loud, sudden noises (becomes distressed if she thinks it will happen again, otherwise ok).

She does not seems to have too many issues other than those you would associate with low tone i.e. not sporty, finds buttons and neat handwriting a bit tricky, can't ride a bike.

She has always been well behaved, a good sleeper and really, not much trouble at all, though this may be down to the long periods she spends in imaginative play.

Academically, she is doing well. She does have friends at school, though would be on the quiet side.

The OT feels that there may be a sensory processing problem impacting on her auditory function (I think).

She is to see a paediatrician, what will happen next, has anyone a similar experience?

thanks everyone.

Aspergers is not often diagnosed any more as they are removing it from the dx list.

No-one here will be able to diagnose, but what you have said certainly doesn't rule it out.

Cannot diagnose but seems from reading there are issues there that would need further investigation.

Some areas community pead can DX and some arrears they refer to a multi disciplinary team for further assessment.

Good luck x

thanks, I am feeling all over the place about this. I know she has some issues but most of the time she's so happy and contented. Physically she has caught up well from a slightly late start. If she could manage the loud noises I think she would be fine!

I don't want to give her a label but I suppose if it would actually help her in the long run...

thanks, we have been at physio and OT for a number of years (my suggestion to refer all along, never suggested by anyone else). Only now has the OT suggested this paediatric referral as I asked about the loud noise problem.

I wouldn't say her issues have become any more acute over the years, but is around 6-7 the age when things generally become more apparent?

The way I looked at it thanks to my DH is that my sons label or DX was his golden ticket a bit like Charlie. Because without it he was not supported at all but with it I had something to wave whilst fighting for support for him. It doesn't magically bring support but the right is there to have it x

Also who you choose to share a diagnosis with is entirely your own choice if you don't wish to disclose it as you feel she is coping then you don't have to but it is handy to have when she is older in case it is needed for others to understand her better.

With the noise issue I would also ask the pead to refer her to an occupational therapist experienced in sensory awareness? as sometimes sensory issues are at the forefront and can be helped with sensoy diet strategies or tools like ear defenders or iPod in noisy places to help cut out noise etc x

if you are going for a check then it is just as well cover as much as possible.

thanks justabout. Trying to organise a private referral to speed things along.

do you mind my asking (don't answer if you do of course!), what 'help' does he get and is it, well, helping?

thanks coff33, yes, we are coping with being unathletic, but the noise thing seems to becoming more of an issue as she is now aware of the potential for noisy things happening! Also, she has made up her mind she doesn't like loud bangs and that, is that. She is not for turning on this.

will try the ear plugs though... noise generally is fine, sudden noise is not good.

Hi welli, I read your thread this morning but had to go to work so couldnt answer.

I have a Dd who is 10 and has a diagnosis of ASD, we say she has aspergers as she is very high functioning.

I knew from a really young age that she had some difficulties, she hates loud noises, funny smells, itchy clothes, changes in routines etc.

When she was little it didnt matter that she was quirky but as she got older and had to spend more time away from the family home ie, school, brownies, parties I knew she needed the "label" so that she would be understood better.

She has benefitted so much from having her label and I dont regret for one minute persuing a diagnosis, but I do know where you are coming from and many times during the 3.5 year assessment process I felt like just leaving it. I knew though that she would continue to struggle and dreaded secondary transfer.

Now I know that I can get her the support she needs and she can be who she is.

Good luck

at this stage it is mainly the fear of loud noises which is intrusive in her life. Parties can be difficult and I can see trouble ahead when she starts to spend more time away from home e.g. school trips if anything went bang!

when she is playing on her own she can be quite flappy (finds something to flap/tap). She says she knows not to tap at school. I do understand she does not get full feedback from her muscles due to the low tone and may be seeking it out elsewhere.

I would say she plays reasonably well with others, though I can really only observe this with her younger sister. They play well though after a while DD1 will usually want to play on her own and maybe go up to her room, in to the other room etc, either to read or to tell herself a long, vocal story.

I am told at school her behaviour is exemplary and she has always been well behaved at home.

In terms of social skills, she is not overly outgoing. She is chatty with people she knows, but would rarely instigate a conversation with someone she has just met (you know the painful, "say hello to x") type conversations. SHe seems to have reasonably consistent friendships at school with the occasional falling out. I would say, she is in a day dream at times. School work good though.

So far, she would rarely be down or massively upset about things, but self conscious about not being a fast runner in the playground and that type of thing.

I really appreciate the input, don't worry I don't expect a diagnosis but all your comments are very helpful.

The 'driver' in autism is - has to be - a social difficulty. It doesn't matter if DS is lining up his cars if he is also perfectly affectionate, sociable, gives good eye contact etc...the 'red flag' behaviour - lining up cars - is only one piece in a jigsaw and if the other bits of the jigsaw say 'socially appropriate FOR DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL' then that red flag does not a diagnosis make on its own

Copied above from another thread, not my own words.

thanks everyone. I can see she seems to fit into some of the categories, but not others.

we have made a private appointment for a couple of weeks time. I am a bit nervous and have a strong instinct to run away from it all as she is generally fine. However, I can see there may be trouble as she gets older (or there may not of course) and allowances won't be made as easily, so if she needs help, we may as well ask for it now.

I will be taking your suggestion on board and have been wondering about sensory issues for a while.

will let you know!