Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Parent Support Forums
General Parenting
New Member requesting assistance
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 18684" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>OTE made an earlier suggestion to organise a multidisciplinary evaluation - I think that's going to be the best direction for you, in the long run. It takes time to set it up but it could turn out to be needed.</p><p></p><p>SRL, correct me if I'm wrong, but your concern about neurologists is that they don't often come equipped to handle something such as autism, which is harder to evaluate in terms of the sort of brain function you can measure with a machine. I understand this - I have had to deal with neurologists who said there was nothing wrong with me because their machine didn't pick it up.</p><p>The thing is, that although autism IS neurological, a run-of-the-mill neurologist is often not the person to go to, unless they have some experience of diagnosing and assessing autism. There ARE specialisations within specialisations. Not just any neurologist will do, as OTE was pointing out. I saw a neurologist once who specialised in migraines. Another specialised in reading nerve conduction studies (which won't do a darned thing when it comes to assessing autism). I wish it weren't so, but unfortunately too many neurologists have to SEE the dials flick and the meter needles twitch in order to agree that there is a neurological problem. But there are some out there who are definitely worth seeing. It's a matter of doing your own research.</p><p></p><p>Rachel, you said, " I was not expecting Autism because I just didn't really think it fit."</p><p>From your early description, I WAS seeing autism as highly likely. High-functioning autism in some form. Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is an umbrella condition which includes autism and Asperger's. The multidisciplinary evaluation is going to be needed, but you could organise each step yourself and help the various specialists connect the dots by sharing reports around, or you could take your son to a special clinic which deals with this sort of diagnosis. For ongoing management, your regular pediatrician should be able to handle things (if you're happy with him).</p><p>If you want to get a better 'feel', read anything by Temple Grandin, such as "Thinking in Pictures" or "An Anthropologist on Mars". She's an amazing person. And I was telling my difficult child 3 this afternoon, so is he. Someone with high-functioning autism is able, with support, to work around a lot of the problems of autism and thereby take advantage of the special abilities that can also come with this. For us, we began with meeting him where he was and working from there. There is some great work happening with autism these days, a lot more is being learned and these kids have a much better prognosis than we ever thought possible.</p><p></p><p>difficult child 3 failed his first IQ test. He was barely verbal at the time so it was rather silly to apply a conventional test. On the basis of that test they told us he could never attend a 'normal' school, it would be some years before he could attend ANY school and he had a poor prognosis. He's since been tested at about 145 (which personally I think is meaningless, apart from indicating that his first test was a tad of an underestimate) and after years of struggling at school, he is finally doing well academically. Last year he topped his first year in high school (correspondence is what works for him) in German and Maths, came second in Music and equal third in Visual Arts. He had similar numbers in his year to a mainstream high school. He is now highly verbal but I KNOW he still has some language problems. However, he is functioning so well that he masks the problems most of the time. He is highly sociable, has always loved being around people and WILL hug or cuddle (a lot) but on his terms. HE needs to be in control of the hug - once again, refer to Temple Grandin for more info on that.</p><p></p><p>Autism as a diagnosis is not the appalling news it used to be considered. I'm so proud of my kids for how well they're doing. I support them through their difficulties and applaud them in their successes. They now value themselves for their individuality and are increasing their independence. The support they need can be surprising at times, but it is always a valuable learning curve.</p><p></p><p>Hang in there, keep us posted on how you go. And as others have said, do make sure you have time for yourself in there too. This IS a marathon, not a sprint. But if you pace yourself you will be amazed at how far you go without noticing.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 18684, member: 1991"] OTE made an earlier suggestion to organise a multidisciplinary evaluation - I think that's going to be the best direction for you, in the long run. It takes time to set it up but it could turn out to be needed. SRL, correct me if I'm wrong, but your concern about neurologists is that they don't often come equipped to handle something such as autism, which is harder to evaluate in terms of the sort of brain function you can measure with a machine. I understand this - I have had to deal with neurologists who said there was nothing wrong with me because their machine didn't pick it up. The thing is, that although autism IS neurological, a run-of-the-mill neurologist is often not the person to go to, unless they have some experience of diagnosing and assessing autism. There ARE specialisations within specialisations. Not just any neurologist will do, as OTE was pointing out. I saw a neurologist once who specialised in migraines. Another specialised in reading nerve conduction studies (which won't do a darned thing when it comes to assessing autism). I wish it weren't so, but unfortunately too many neurologists have to SEE the dials flick and the meter needles twitch in order to agree that there is a neurological problem. But there are some out there who are definitely worth seeing. It's a matter of doing your own research. Rachel, you said, " I was not expecting Autism because I just didn't really think it fit." From your early description, I WAS seeing autism as highly likely. High-functioning autism in some form. Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is an umbrella condition which includes autism and Asperger's. The multidisciplinary evaluation is going to be needed, but you could organise each step yourself and help the various specialists connect the dots by sharing reports around, or you could take your son to a special clinic which deals with this sort of diagnosis. For ongoing management, your regular pediatrician should be able to handle things (if you're happy with him). If you want to get a better 'feel', read anything by Temple Grandin, such as "Thinking in Pictures" or "An Anthropologist on Mars". She's an amazing person. And I was telling my difficult child 3 this afternoon, so is he. Someone with high-functioning autism is able, with support, to work around a lot of the problems of autism and thereby take advantage of the special abilities that can also come with this. For us, we began with meeting him where he was and working from there. There is some great work happening with autism these days, a lot more is being learned and these kids have a much better prognosis than we ever thought possible. difficult child 3 failed his first IQ test. He was barely verbal at the time so it was rather silly to apply a conventional test. On the basis of that test they told us he could never attend a 'normal' school, it would be some years before he could attend ANY school and he had a poor prognosis. He's since been tested at about 145 (which personally I think is meaningless, apart from indicating that his first test was a tad of an underestimate) and after years of struggling at school, he is finally doing well academically. Last year he topped his first year in high school (correspondence is what works for him) in German and Maths, came second in Music and equal third in Visual Arts. He had similar numbers in his year to a mainstream high school. He is now highly verbal but I KNOW he still has some language problems. However, he is functioning so well that he masks the problems most of the time. He is highly sociable, has always loved being around people and WILL hug or cuddle (a lot) but on his terms. HE needs to be in control of the hug - once again, refer to Temple Grandin for more info on that. Autism as a diagnosis is not the appalling news it used to be considered. I'm so proud of my kids for how well they're doing. I support them through their difficulties and applaud them in their successes. They now value themselves for their individuality and are increasing their independence. The support they need can be surprising at times, but it is always a valuable learning curve. Hang in there, keep us posted on how you go. And as others have said, do make sure you have time for yourself in there too. This IS a marathon, not a sprint. But if you pace yourself you will be amazed at how far you go without noticing. Marg [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Parent Support Forums
General Parenting
New Member requesting assistance
Top