Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

'Not autistic'

37 replies

MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 12:38

I am just looking for a bit of clarification from people that know a bit more than me really as I am quite new to Autism.

My DD was seen my someone today - not to diagnose her but an inclusion officer who helps the school (pre school in this instance) deal with pupils with any additional needs.

I am pretty sure my DD has aspergers/high functioning autism. The man who saw her today said she was 'quirky' but didn't think she was on the autistic spectrum as she made eye contact, could describe items when asked and also played with another child (the other child was her sister).

As I say, I am new to all this, but I didn't think these sorts of things always were linked with autism. Am I wrong or is he looking at autism through a narrow parameter?

OP posts:
LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 12/03/2015 12:43

Maybe he caught her on a good day? I think the eye contact can be a bit misleading to be honest, what other problems does she have?

I have a bright 'quirky' teen. He has a social communication disorder (and dyspraxia). He doesn't have the traits for ASD but his communication skills are nowhere near where they should be (eye contact is there when he feels like it).

Teawaster · 12/03/2015 12:50

Sounds like he is. My DS with AS has very good eye contact and can easily describe items when asked. He isn't good at friendships but is very sociable and can play with his brother. he struggles to fit in socially with other children but fine with family. How old is your DD? From reading here it seems that many fail to get their DD acknowledged as having difficulties as girls are better at masking problems

Original poster
MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 12:50

She is very 'bright'. Self taught numbers by 18 months, all letters upper and lower case by two. Poor speech and communication. Interaction with other children except siblings is limited, and with siblings it is only on her terms. Very structured/routine obsessed. Flapping. Difficulty following instruction and queuing/waiting.

Lots of small things I suppose that add up in my mind. I read the Tony Attwood book which really confirmed what I thought but maybe he is right and I am looking for something that just isn't there.

OP posts:
Original poster
MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 12:53

Sorry Teawaster, I cross posted with you! She is 3. So I have feeling that I am going to come up against 1) she is too young to diagnose, and 2) she is a girl and diagnosing aspergers seems to be difficult to many health professionals.

I wonder whether to just cut out the middle man and go privately for an assessment.

OP posts:
LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 12/03/2015 12:59

I'd say she needs an assessment with a community paediatrician rather than the inclusion officer to be honest, he doesn't sound as though he has enough experience to diagnose ASD. Can you pop and have a chat with your GP and ask for a referral?

Original poster
MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 13:12

Is that how it works Lady? I wasn't sure how to get a referral. We do already see the paediatrician for DD1 (chromosome condition) so I had wondered whether to call her secretary and ask her how to go about it.

Is the GP then where I should start? The inclusion officer is going back to the office to talk to others there and isn't coming back to see her for another 5 or 6 weeks. I'd like to do something in the meantime if I can

OP posts:
ouryve · 12/03/2015 13:15

DS1 can look you in the eye and tell you in excruciating detail about all the features which point to a pound coin being fake.

That's not to say that your DD is or isn't Autistic, but there is an astounding amount of ignorance.

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 12/03/2015 13:38

Ds was referred to the community paediatrician, who referred him to the OT/Physio?Cahms (who wouldn't see him). I was given a questionnaire about his behaviour and development by the community paediatrician. I'd say your GP is your best bet. Community paediatricians know more about developmental issues, like ASD, paediatricians know about illnesses so they do different jobs , if this makes sense.

coppertop · 12/03/2015 13:43

Makes you wonder why the NHS bother with multi-disciplinary assessments when they could just have a quick look at whether a child can make eye contact and describe stuff. Hmm

I'd ask for a referral for a full assessment.

Original poster
MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 14:01

Thanks everyone. Pleased it isn't just me going mad (or not entirely...!)

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 12/03/2015 14:07

MooMummyMoo

Ask GP to refer you to a developmental paediatrician; your DD needs a full assessment.

This Inclusion Officer is simply not qualified enough to state that she is not on the ASD spectrum - and actually should not have made any such pronouncement to you.

senvet · 12/03/2015 15:03

The inclusion officer has no qualificatons to diagnose ASD/ASC/HFA.

I had a head teacher querying a diagnosis of ASD in a child on the grounds that she showed empathy by once showing concern for another child who was crying. The fact that she had no friends, and spent all of playtime on her own turning in circles flapping didn't seem sufficient to override her one observation.

She was a nice lady, just hopelessly ill-informed.

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 12/03/2015 15:15

Everyone's an expert, hey Hmm

Original poster
MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 15:24

It does seem extraordinary how much misunderstanding/misinformation there is around, especially for professionals that work in the area. I feel we are going to keep coming up against the same brick walls.

I have however booked an appointment with the GP so we'll see how that goes.

If I did go down the private diagnosis route can anyone tell me who would be good to look at - there is a Margot someone?? And someone else I see mentioned a lot whose name escapes me. I am in Yorkshire but willing to travel to London. And with a private diagnosis, do the LA/NHS professionals have to take any notice?

OP posts:
2boysnamedR · 12/03/2015 15:33

Sorry not read all the replies, I'm having a bad day.

Look up the nice guidelines. I think you will find some nice quotes for your inclusion officer in there.

Maybe your dd is not autistic, but they had better look a bit deeper before dismissing it. I was dismissed for the same reasons, it's has caused problems down the line as ds gets more 'quirky' every day. I'm pretty sure he's crossed the line of being a bit quirky but I still get hit over the head with that "oh look, he smiled" quote.

He's walking on tip toes like John Wayne and flapping hard enough to take off - but don't panic! He can smile! Hmm

PolterGoose · 12/03/2015 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

youarekiddingme · 12/03/2015 18:01

It seems to be a common misconception about eye contact and describing objects - gesturing to them etc.

Have a look at ICD 10 guidelines. They state about eye contact but also mention too much, fleeting etc.

My DS apparently has too much eye contact at times - he literally stares through people Grin

ChaiseLounger · 12/03/2015 18:22

people who think they know better than the professionals, drive me insane!

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 12/03/2015 18:34

I've read the name Daphne Keen on here more than once www.daphnekeen.co.uk Not cheap though Sad

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 12/03/2015 18:36

Sorry, she may not be what you're looking for.

Ds was referred to the community paediatrician by the school GP. Although he was diagnosed (not with ASD), there was very little support afterwards.

bitbap18 · 12/03/2015 19:00

Same as Teawaster, sounds like my DD s being described! I've battled for many years to get a diagnosis for the same reasons as you describe. The person you saw cannot make that decision. We've even seen paeds who dismissed us (within 10 minutes, because you can make a decision that quick?!) it was only after I made a complaint and we got referred to an amazing consultant clinical Pyschologist, who has done six months of assessments before giving us the diagnosis we expected.

Original poster
MooMummyMoo · 12/03/2015 19:06

Thanks everyone. I am so convinced that she does have aspergers (or whatever we want to call it now!) but I don't mind being completely wrong, I just want to know that whoever diagnoses or doesn't diagnose actually knows what they are talking about and it is an actual reflection of DD!

I'll see how I get on with the GP (though expecting another eye contact/brick wall) and then work out where to go from there.

Oh it's all good fun Hmm

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 12/03/2015 22:33

ds looks you in the eye, somtimes when he is in the mood, he tlaks to his sister too. flapped.

went to the gp. the community pead thought ds did not have signs of asd on his first visit. he now has a diagnosi of mild to moderate high functioning asd.

Nancyclancy · 13/03/2015 10:37

We're in a similar situation with our dd aged 3 yrs 10 months. The pre school have picked up on it and have started the ball rolling. But we're just not sure if it's autism/Asperger's or developmental delay or a combination.

My dd is improving every single day. She's been late developing physically but is rapidly improving, late talking but that's improving, lacked social skills but that's coming along too.
The major factors for me that make me feel it could be autism/Asperger's are, she hand flaps quite a bit, is 'quirky' and she's very controlling of people. Likes to watch 'Peppa' and will create if we don't want to watch it, doesn't like people folding their arms, holding things a certain way (almost like a phobia. It's this that I find the hardest to deal with.

Loud noises etc don't bother her. Maintains eye contact. It's so complicated and as my dh is in denial, it's so draining dealing with her alone.

But on the plus side, she's a lovely, funny girl when her 'behaviours don't get in the way!!

Glittery7 · 13/03/2015 15:32

Eye contact us a total red herring. My 6 year old has always made good eye contact and plays well with her 8 year old sibling as long as it's a running, active game.

She can name objects and draw your attention to objects, things she's interested in.

She is still most certainly ASD.
I agree with others. Only a doctor can diagnose after various assessments, reports and meetings with other professionals.