Have had meeting with behavioural specialist and I'm confused

[harman]

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There are lots of crossovers with dyspraxia and other conditions so its not uncommon to see these traits in children with dyspraxic tendencies. However its also not uncommon for children with AS, ASD or ADD to show dyspraxic traits.

agree with dustystar - there are traits in common between the 2 conditions. As the semantic pragmatic problems are language problems, then if someone really knew what they were looking at, then they probably could spot it quickly (but not sure if behaviour specialist would have enough salt type knowledge to do that). A very good site on SPD here:-

www.spdsupport.org.uk/

Is your DS going to have further SALT/paediatrician seeing him.

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As the others have said there is cross over between the developmental conditions you list. IMHE as a mum (no expertise!)every child is unique - so few have difficulties that are totally classic of any one condition. My son has a dual Dx of ASD/ADHD for instance but also has the traits of dyspraxia and dyslexia. I suppose the important thing is to get the diagnosis that most closly fits your child. Usually various assessments (OT,SALT, PAED) are needed to be absolutly sure so it is good they are in the pipeline.
My husband hates labels for our child too - perhaps its a male thing- but it is often the gateway to school support!
The waiting and wondering is difficult isn't it?

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Hi, that was quite a lot to throw at you in one meeting! Try not to get too stressed about the paed appointment, hopefully it will clear up some of your questions. Like you say, can she really draw proper conclusions from one comment? Perhaps she was just trying to alert you to other issues that may come up, but as others have said there is a lot of overlap with these things and it seems a bit much to dump everything on you like that when she doesn't know for sure.

Don't know if it helps, but in our house I was the label-phobic one but when ds finally got his (ASD) I actually found it very liberating in a way. It takes pressures off in a wierd way. Hopefully your DH will handle it better when you know exactly what you are dealing with.

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Don't worry too much about the paed appt Harman - it's not as scary when you're there - anticipation is worse I think. Can you take another adult with you? Helpful I think as your mind can run away with you and you can feel a bit overwhelmed with information etc. Another person might take in things you've 'missed'. Our SENCo came with me as dh couldn't make it for dd's appt.

I could have written the bit in your post where you think you've worked it all out and then they go and throw a load more at you that you hadn't really considered. We're currently looking at a likely dual dx of AD/HD (without hyperactivity) and ASD. The Ad/HD bit was what I'd considered to be worst case scenario.....was a bit shocked when ASD was mentioned, although others had mentioned it on here when I first posted about dd's 'symptoms'.

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SENCo is Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. There'll be one in your school.

ASD is Autistic Spectrum Disorder and AD/HD is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

To us, of course, she's just dd, but we couldn't work out why she was having certain difficulties with learning and also with maintaining friendships, given that she's of reasonable intelligence. When we started to look into it all, and put things together we felt we should seek medical help as the school were also noticing that her achievment wasn't matching her potential ability and that socially, she is rather behind her peers regarding picking up non-verbal cues etc.

Perhaps another coffee is in order!

You should not feel guilty - although it is a common feeling!
Dyspraxia, aspergers, add, are developmental differences (disorders)and each can be anywhere on a sliding scale from severe to very mild to roughly normal ( NT). It has been said that as all little children start off with difficulties with movement, coordination, attention, language and understanding the people and world around us - all could be considered to have all of these things as tinies! The difference is how things develop with time. The milder the disorder (or more complicated the history)the later the difference is discernable. Even experts paediatricians struggle sometimes - my sons autism (suspected at 3) was not diagnosed till he was 8 - because he is so unique and his history so unusual -this confused the paediatrician! I feel guilty too - but one always exspects - then hopes dcs to grow out of difficulties -after all they mostly do!