SPD dx and now being suggested ASD

[AMumGoingMad]

My son (nearly 7) was diagnosed with SPD last year. I thought this was the answer, the diagnosis that encapsulated him and his issues. However even though we've been following an OT program and he's been having social interaction classes he still has real problems with social interaction and the school requested for him to be assessed for ASD. They filled in some forms apparently and today I've been asked to give permission for the autism service to fully assess him and contact his other professionals. I'm not sure how I feel at the moment, but I am not all that educated on ASD. How is it different to SPD? And how is a diagnosis of ASD (if indeed thats what they decide) actually going to help him? I mean, they're already doing these social interaction classes (with little effect) and following the OT program (with great effect). How does an ASD dx change this and benefit him? I worry about all this analysising of him doesn't actually result in any positive benefit to him and I wouldn't want to give permission for something that actually isn't going to help him.

sorry for confusion. Spd = sensory processing order.

DD has dx of ASD and is waiting assessment for SPD, the other way around than your DS, OP, but am very much hoping we'll have the same input as Polter describes

SPD seems to be 'triggering' DDs ASD, ASD is far more widely recognised within education (which ain't a fat lot tbh), but SPD can be worked on.

i hope

SPD rarely exists on its own though..most children do have ASD or dyspraxia as well.

I don't think you have anything to loose by going through the diagnostic process, altough I understand being apprehensive about the whole thing.

zzzz Yes, ASD was mooted when SPD was dx but I think at the time the social issues were still able to be "just because he's a boy and immature and deaf". Now those excuses (for want of a different word) are not washing with anyone. However as he's got older and its becoming more apparent that he's not progressing his social development much and its having a bigger and bigger impact on him and his emotional well being and education.

I don't know if I think he's on the spectrum. Certainly 18months ago I did but I was told that he wasn't, he's just immature, he's a boy etc etc and its SPD. I don't know if I'm convinced myself to believe that all or what. The social interaction classes were meant to catch him up but thats not whats happened. At the last meeting with all the professionals they were talking about long term intervention as his needs become more different from his peers. These classes were sold to us as a fix it in a year solution. Maybe I shouldn't have bought it all? Maybe its been hope and burying my head in the sand? I don't know whats normal tbh for a 7year old boy (or girl for that matter as my dd has emotional and social issues due to a medical issue). I think I know its not normal to have your nearly 7yr ds sitting on your lap crying through the rare birthday party he does get invited to and refusing to join in. I have no idea if the hitting out is normal or not or the obsession with food in social situations is normal. I don't know whats normal in terms of coping with change and being rigid with routine. I don't know, I know a lot of his behaviour isn't normal but I don't know whats not SPD and what isn't. And I'm not sure what help he'd get anyway with a new diagnosis. If the intervention they're doing already doesn't work how is a new dx going to help?

Thats my gut feeling on him at the moment but it might be a selfish one not one for him. DH thinks I'm just wanting to run away from all professionals because of the bad time we've been dealt by certain professionals (who aren't involved now and proved wrong anyway) over the last year and thats why I'm resistant or not accepting of a possibility of ASD or taking on board new professionals. I also have a lot on my plate with dd and will admit I've taken my eye off the ball with regards to ds in the last 6 months or so. We do well on the whole in the holidays when we can do what ds needs and no school and all the stresses and problems it creates on a day to day basis. But of course there aren't social situations for him to navigate then and we can focus on his OT when its needed etc. I'm confused in my head and gut.

I will ask for more clarification of whats involved and what benefits a dx would give him.