How is autism diagnosed?

[MrsSnape]

My mum has finally made the move to have my sisters behaviour looked into by proffesionals. She still doesn't think its anything serious but I would put money on autism.

She has always lined things up, teddies would be lined up along the sofa in order of which were bought first from a very young age. Her console games would be spread out all over the floor closely placed next to one another.

From the minute she could sit up she began rocking from side to side, sometimes quite iratically, always in the same motion, sometimes when music was on (so it was easily disguised as dancing) but often when no sounds were there. Whilst doing this she would stare into space. She still does this now, sits in the exact same position as she did when she was a baby and rock wildly from side to side and she's now 13.

She is also obsessed with logos, 20th century fox, DIC entertainment, Cartoon Network etc etc...she loves them and just sits watching them over and over again. My mum admitted to me the other day that my sister comes home from school at 3.30pm and sits and watches TV logos on you tube until 10pm at night, the same ones over and over again. Same with TV credits, she'll watch them going up the screen as if its really interesting and has even gone as far as to film the TV with her mobile phone whilst the credits are on and has put the video on youtube as if she thinks other people will find it entertaining.

She has NO friends, doesn't know what to talk about, she stares at people and doesn't seem to realise that she's being rude...the list goes on. Basically everything she does is like a text book list of autism traits.

But as I say, she's now 13 and has had NO help.

Does this sound like autism to you and if so, how is it officially diagnosed?

Assessment process.

I don't know how they do it in older children, but my 2 were assessed by the paed at the child development centre and by a home visiting teacher who went through something called CARS (childhood autism rating scale or something!) with us, where we rated them in lots of different areas then added up the score.

And yes, it does sound like it would be good to get her assessed for asd.

look here

my DS is autistic and he too is obsessed by logos, your sister is the first other person I've ever heard of who also finds the logos and credits more interesting than the films! He particularly likes the Warner bros, Disney and pixar logos, and will gaze at them on DVD boxes (he used to always carry a DVD box around with him) and will watch every single credit patiently in the hope of a fix of his fave logo at the end!. She does sound like she might be autistic, and the diagnosis process is basically a load of questions for parents and child, some observations and then more questions. She sounds quite high functioning if she can put stuff on Youtube and I had to smile at her thinking the credits would interest people - in fact she now has one definite viewer for that video, how can I find it on Youtube! There is so much that can be done with intervention - I think you are right to seek a diagnosis.

Is it best to go through the GP or the school for assesment. I'm looking to get my 10yr.old dd assessed for Aspergers.
Sorry for hi-jack!

getting your child assessed

Yes good point cocolepew, GP does CHAT test and then refers to autism clinic or paediatrician. Can be a long waiting list though, so if you can afford it or have BUPA you can get a private diagnosis. I am a bit wary of going through the school, as they have a different agenda from us parents and schools plus LEA want to give out as few diagnoses and statements as poss nowadays in order to save money. They are increasingly avoiding diagnosing autism or aspergers, but just calling it social communication problems, as that way they don't have to pay out for anything other than the odd half hour's help in school. With a statement, you get a lot more and it becomes your child's legal right.

Thanks

Hi mrs snape,
Glad to hear the assessment is happening, I read your post previously I think.
My ds also loves logos and adverts. He is very interested in fonts (?) He wont turn off a program he has watched until watching all the credits finish. In fact his pet name is "advert boy". He was diagnosed at christmas with AS and he is 12.

Like your sister, very high functioning.
We went through GP, the whole thing took about 9 months to get dx. they were very quick, They sent questionairre to his teacher and to me which they compared to see if we saw the same things, they interviewed me and played games with him to look at his social interaction, they interviewed him alone about his interests and how he felt about himself.

I wish your mum and sister good luck with everything.