girls with asd v attatchment disorder diagnosis and clues to differance ?

[Mindmaps]

Hi have a 8 year old dd going through diagnosis. I also have a 15 yr old with a diagnosis of adhd and aspergers.
THE SCAT process is not yet complete but I have had some informal feedback that they are looking at attatchment disorder rather than asd. I must admit to being a bit [think] as to me she shows much of the same behaviours as her brother. Also I attatchment parented, exbf and was a work from home parent, but do understand this does not exclude attatchment disorder and my older child was very difficult so that could very easily have affected her emotional development.she is however very affection and I feel attatchmened to me .
Can anyone tell me the differences that would distinguish between the two diagnosis?

I don't have any help, but have had the same thing indicated for DS....we were basically told that attachment disorder presents very much like autism, but not sure what the differentiating factors would be if no significant reasons for there to be an attachment issues.

Good luck.....whatever the final dx, hope some help is provided.

I'm really surprised they are talking attachment disorder. It can be very difficult to diagnose and not one the professionals like to dx.
In my group of adoption friends many of the children have attachment problems, but not many have been diagnosed.
I would ask them why they are thinking AD rather than Aspergers, not that you want your child to have either!
Good luck

I know she has social communication issues for sure also verbal dyspepsia and probably dyslexia, but have been given no real reason and must say I was surprised.

Surely with a sibling with Aspergers Asd would be their first thought!?

Girls do present very differently to boys though and lots of Proffs are still missing it or misdiagnosing girls with Asd/Aspergers.

There is an article about girls and women with Asd on the NAS website which you might find interesting.

Good luck

Thanks , I am surprised as at home we have no major problems , she really only struggles at school or in big groups but she does hug inappropriate my but only people who are positive and smily with her. I understand this can be a symptom of attatchment disorder but also add. Her self confidence has taken a hit over the past two years as we lost my husband and my mum in the past18 month's. Plus bulling at school but she is now settling well at anew school.

My Dd3 has Asd, she is the opposite in as much as she masks her problems at school but then melts down at home because it is such hard work for her. She struggles to understand social rules like personal space.

It sounds like it may not be the best time to try to get a diagnosis if she has had 2 massive losses in her life

I hope everything goes well for you, keep coming on here for advice and support

I supported a DC who was adopted and had been DXed with attachment disorder due to her dysfunctional early start. She was reassessed at age 10 and her DX changed to ASD/PDA which fitted her much better. The 'symptoms' can be very similar, but unless there is some reason for an attachment disorder DX, some trauma etc, I would guess that the profs are looking at 'blame the parents' and a parenting class as the cheap option. (Cynical, me? )

With your family history I'd dispute this really strongly and push hard for an ASD or maybe PDA assessment/DX.

Crossed with you, sorry to hear about your loss. That might be why they are thinking attachment I guess, but if behaviours were there before your loss, even if you can only see them in retrospect, I would still think ASD is more likely.

My goodness. I'm so sorry for your losses. It must have been a horrendous time for all of you.
So much has happened for an eight year old to cope with.
I hope you all get the help you need.

It has been awful, social and communication problems have been evident from 18mnths

I would dispute AD in that case. Not that it isn't a valid DX, but doesn't seem that likely in your case. (((Hugs)))