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SN children

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

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Original poster

ASD or ASD traits

13 replies

angelstar · 23/05/2010 16:05

Sorry for my ignorance but I'm somewhat new to all this. I was wondering what the difference is between a child who has ASD and onethat just has ASD traits? My ds is going through assesment at the moment and I'm confused. Sometimes weeks I am at my wits end with him but some weeks we don't really have any problems at all. Thanks

OP posts:

jabberwocky · 23/05/2010 16:12

My ds1 is like that. We do not have a formal diagnosis of anything except Sensory Processing Disorder (sometimes referred to as "autistic-like"). For us, it doesn't really make a lot of difference since it doesn't change the way we try to address the sensory issues, stimming, socialization, etc.

drloves · 23/05/2010 16:27

i heard the phrase " autistic traits " loads of times ,used by medical people when talking about her. She got diagnosed ASD and GDD back in april.
Thing is the approach thats used to teach asd ,gdd, and learning disabilitys is all the same , so thats probably why you`ve heard it too. Good luck with the dx .
love the fact your having "good weeks" with ds !

genieinabottle · 23/05/2010 16:49

I think they (the professionals) like to use the term 'asd traits' or 'autistic features' when describing children who are not yet formally dx, or who appear to be 'mild', should say HF instead i suppose as mild just isn't mild at times. This way they are not commiting fully to anythink iyswim...

We've had the lot from being verbally told by paed that DS 'is on the spectrum..... mild end' as she was trying to explain the autistic spectrum to a me.
But on reports they always say asd traits, tendancies or features.
The only report where it was a bit clearer was the one from the asd team paed, who wrote DS has many symptoms suggesting autism spectrum disorders.

Marne · 23/05/2010 17:02

Autistic traits - I think most of us have them but not enough traits for a dx of ASD, i can see traits in most people i know.

ASD - I think you need to have a number of traits including problems with socializing and communication.

I was worried that we wouldn't get a dx for dd1 as she only has a few traits, some of which are really mild. She was dx'd with AS at the age of 4.5.

Dd2 was more obviously on the spectrum as she had very poor communication skills, was non verbal, hand flapped and had sensory problems, it took less than a year to get a dx of ASD.

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 23/05/2010 17:47

i agree, traits normally mean you have some of the traits a person with ASD has but not enough to et a dx. You have 3 areas to meet for a dx. DH has traits and many people do but doesnt mean they are autistic.

good luck with your lo.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 23/05/2010 18:53

I have been told my DD has traits, just because she has some features of ASD but in some ways she doesn't appear to have it.

fijibird · 24/05/2010 21:24

Are there any links on here explaining what traits a child has to have or 'areas' they have to display problems in to get a dx. I thought my DS (4) was extremely bright and just a little over sensitive (which I thought was to be expected as he is so advanced) but teachers are suggesting assessment. He perfectly fits the description of Gifted on the NAGC website as he only has the AS/aspergers type traits that are mentioned there.

TheArsenicCupCake · 24/05/2010 22:13

Right I'm going to try and do a link from my phone as I'm not on the comp at the moment.. So I hope this work... If it does it will give you a bit more of an idea.
link

fijibird · 25/05/2010 09:33

Thanks AsenicCupCake for trying but I don't think it worked do you mind reposting the link when you get a chance - thanks again!

TheArsenicCupCake · 25/05/2010 11:31

no problem ( i'm a techno phobe lol)

try this

Ineed2 · 25/05/2010 12:51

fijibird, my Dd1 fits the criteria for being gifted too, she as a member of nagc when she was younger, I think there is a crossover or a fine line between being "gifted" and asd if there are things which your Ds is struggling with he needs support, that does not mean he is not gifted aswell iyswim.
Going back to children being descibed as having asd traits, my Dd3 was decribed by the pead at our first appointment as being "definately borderline asd" What the heck is that supposed to mean. LOL.

TheArsenicCupCake · 25/05/2010 17:28

A really good book ( it's an easy read as well).. Is

The essential Difference - Simon baron- cohen

it isn't really about asd .. More empathising type brain, systemising type brains and then you get a nice little section on the extreme systemising type .. Aka asd.

It really is well worth a read..and was reccommended to me by a clinical psychologist.

Just thinking that it may explain the g&t that can go with asd .. Seems IMO that they are supurb at collecting and sorting facts. Ds2 is a totAl sponge for this.. And science/ maths/ history etc etc are all collecting fact things.

Just wanted to pop the book reccomend on as you folk may enjoy it... It made me smile.

fijibird · 29/05/2010 15:07

Thanks for the link & book info. I will read it as it looks great & the diagnostic stuff makes me think he is probably just gifted/bright. After 8 days at nursery school his teacher thinks he is doing much better with no incidents of getting upset, good eye contact & obeying instructions & playing well with others. She thinks he just needed time to settle down so perhaps we will only need to address his special academic needs.

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