What's the difference between Autism and Autism spectrum disorder?

[adrianna22]

Hi

A professional looked at DS ADOS report and commented that he met the
cut- off diagnosis of autism, as his diagnosis is not autism spectrum disorder.

Could someone explain what he meant?

Thanks.

Youare My ds doesn't even have a consistent IQ.

Standardised tests aren't for our kids, and especially not specially selected part-tests that are completely different ones from the specially selected part-tests the time before.

Youare I think his ability to do those things actually comes from the reliability that ASD can sometimes bring, plus the fact that being HE means we have had time to develop those kinds of skills.

I don't know how transferable they are, though he goes ahead of us to the park now at his own request and is asking to use the bus on his own, or get off a few stops early.

I trust him completely PROVIDED all goes as it should. If someone stops to ask him where his mum is, or he can't get to the road crossing he is expecting to due to roadworks, or if one day there is a fire alarm as he arrives for orchestra, who KNOWS what he'll do.

Totally agree re standardised tests not working with asd. (Even though they are often used). Especially as a spikey profile is mentioned in blurb regarding asd/c.

My DS apparently does well on IQ type tests but that's because he's very logical and rule based and could see a pattern in a baked bean.

However his emotional intelligence and intelligence in everyday life (often referred to as "common sense") are pretty much non existent.

He's the boy that could get everyone to a pub with detailed maps and directions but could fail to organise the piss up in it!

Totally get the can manage providing it all goes to plan. Hence why DS now has a phone. We are taking steps towards independence with the fall back being stop and call me when you need to. It's a small steps process as DS is a flight kinda boy!

I'm insulted on my ds' behalf that anyone could think there was anything wrong with being 'disordered'.

It doesn't mean he isn't as human as anyone else, or have any less rights.

Ultimately it will be his decision. He currently says he has autism, and frequently asks other children who quite probably do, which is tricky given age 8, as not all kids that age have either been diagnosed or been told.

If I were to remove any word it would be 'spectrum' tbh. It's not like any professional I've ever met appears to understand what that means. It is usually followed by some generic irrelevant recommended strategy.

The problem with IQ tests is that the fluctuating results lead to fluctuating advice. I'm pretty sure he is the same child for all IQ tests so why such varying advice and reliance on such a test.

What I know, is that ds can learn, and he can learn fast, in certain conditions. In others, it is like hitting your head against a brick wall getting him to even acknowledge your existence.

Probably why when DS school suddenly gave him a scribe his levels went up by a whole NC level in 5 minutes half a term. That's 2 years progress against expectations.
It's in there. He has reasonable language skills (described as advanced vocab but language formation and use of grammar below expected level for age). He tends to use this, that, stuff etc rather than the words (cause clearly we should know what he means ) However his biggest language disability is in the actual writing. His cognitive abilities to do all the processes involved are poor as he has probable dysgraphia.

So actually how do you judge his understanding and ability to communicate? (I don't actually expect an answer - but if you have one I'm all ears!)

Love your 22.27 post star

Totally agree. Condition sounds like some dreaded infliction.
I think that's why I've taken such umbrage to the sudden change is what DS was assessed for.

We aren't a bad bunch of unknowledable twits! I think professionals forget to them it's a dx, words on Paper. To us it means something.

I know what you mean about 'autism' but I have kind of become fond of simply the way it sounds and tbh, I think we are stuck with it as that at least, is a shared meaning, even if it is incorrect in its purest meaning.

The Aiuism doesn't bother me. I'd not describe my DS as selfish (or an introvert!) but most of what he does/says etc is centred around his thoughts and wants. He doesn't naturally see beyond himself despite attempts through teaching and his ability to describe socially acceptable ways of behaving!

I think it is worse than that zzzzz. Unless you are careful they can impact negatively, if not actively, by getting in the way.

I'll look into those zzzzz sounds like it will interest me and open my eyes and mind.

DS has finally just gone back to sleep after my very verbal reasoning so I will probably slip off soon for some zzzs myself before he gets up again!

I find it all really interesting. Ds didnt use single words until 3+ sentences by 5 but now at 11 speaks like the typical little professor familiar with AS.

He scored 13 on ADOS and is obvious to those who meet him as Autistic.

In an IQ test he scored from the 9th %ile to the +99th %ile

ASD for 'autistic spectrum difference' anyone? 'Disorder' doesn't suit my DS who actually is a very ordered individual who thrives on structure and routine, struggles with spontaneity and feels threatened by chaos. And to my mind (and maybe often in general usage) disorder means something that is 'wrong' and other from how it should be - which certainly doesn't apply to my DS.

I wouldn't see my DSs' and DD's development as 'disordered' just 'differently' ordered.

I agree with not liking autistic spectrum 'condition' - it sounds demeaning.