Social communication disorder

[Plus3]

Hello
Does anyone have any experience of their DC being diagnosed with this? If so, is it a separate diagnosis to Aspergers or high functioning autism?

I think this is what my son is about to get given as his diagnosis & I have read many conflicting ideas about it.

I know I am speculating, but it is a coping strategy (of sorts)

And we are advised not to Google !

When DS2 was diagnosed with Asperger's, they measured three main 'impairments'. Social communication was one of these. He scored 'high' (or low, depending on how you look at it) in all three, which is what led to his diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

I think the other two might have been to do with interaction & imagination.

Social Communication Disorder is a seperate diagnosis from Asperger's/Autism. It's given when all the social deficits of ASD are shown but without restricted intrests and routines

I would be extremely wary of any professional who tells patients/parents not to google, did they also tell you not to think of a pink elephant?!
Is this a single professional thing or a multi disciplinary panel?

Are they using the new dsm 5 criteria (only published in may) I'd be checking they are aware of that as there are some significant differences. There is no more aspergers or high functioning- just asd.

DSM-5 Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Currently, or by history, must meet criteria A, B, C, and D
A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following:

1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity
2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction
3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships

B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects
2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal

behavior, or excessive resistance to change

1. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus
2. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects

of environment; C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.

who advised you not to google

The Doctor who is assessing him asked me not to spend all my time trying to diagnose him myself - that the process is long and it will take time to reach the right diagnosis. I suspect I am considered to be a pain in the arse. I am always pushing for more from consultations.

To be fair, DS is not a clear cut case & I may be jumping to conclusions. Some things fit, other things really don't. As I am worrying constantly about it, I suspect she said it more to try to make it easier for me.

We are still at the ruling out ADHD phase - she thinks he has a social communication disorder but I hear formally next week. I am terrified.

DS seems in a really good place - he has settled into his class (finally) and is happy. We are not seeing any of his anxiety type behaviour, although he is still a bit screechy when excited.

I had read that SCD is described as autism lite - that he won't be statemented because he's not failing enough at school.

Anyway.

My advice is keep being a pain in the arse! :)

Who has said he won't get a statement?

Ds started with a social communication disorder diagnosis (SALTS can give this alone unlike ASD which has to be multi-disciplinary)and got a statement at my very first attempt. (Use the model letters on the IPSEA website).

A child with social communication disorder could need MORE support than a child with an ASD diagnosis in some cases. I think of the triad as being like a graphic equaliser with nothing written in stone.

Where a child eventually falls will partially depend on the interventions given - especially in the early years, and how that child develops over time as people seem to forget the brain is to some extent plastic. (I'm not saying curable as DS is deffo just wired differently, just that I think more can be done to help these kids via ABA and other therapies than is commonly acknowledged).

Social communication disorder is like Asbergers - some LA's will use this diagnosis as an excuse for not implementing the much needed support if you don't push for it. (Some LA's ignore an ASD diagnosis too until forced). Now the new diagnositic criteria has removed several other labels such as PDD-nos, atypical autism, asbergers etc I think more and more children will wind up with the label social communication disorder in the coming years.

Do go on the IPSEA website and use their guidance to apply for a statement. The UK education law is based on NEED, not clinical labels & it's all too common for parents to be fobbed off as statements are the ONLY legal protection for our kids if they are to be able to access the curriculum.

His OT doesn't think he would get a statement - just her opinion based on what she is seeing at the moment within her community.

Thanks blochead will do some more reading.

I think DS is very good at compensating - almost as soon as we notice one set of tics/behaviour he seems to move out of them again quite quickly. The OT has been a constant source of help. She has given him (& us as parents) the confidence to recognise his needs. Only I worry now that he is coping too well