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How autism is diagnosed

NAS69965

I wanted to understand how autism is diagnosed. My child is reffered for an autism assessment and I wanted to gain a better understanding of the entire process.

So my child does not eat solids and does not speak enough for his age. He also has a very limited attention span, but I don't know if this is a trait of autism. He was reffered for an autism assessment because of this and because the professionals at that time wrote information down which was incorrect.

Now the professionals that deal with him state the only issues he has are the ones I have stated above. However, the autism team which diagnose people have information which is incorrect 

I wanted to know are the traits which I have mentioned enough to diagnose autism or will they ignore this and only go by what the professionals and the time of the referral have written.

I'm not denying that my child may have autism, but I want him diagnosed correctly in order to receive the correct support. 

Parents

  • Hi there,

    Again, I'm an adult diagnosed as an adult, not a parent, but all the things you mention may or may not be indicators; the eating solids thing could be an aversion to food texture, speech delay certainly could be an indicator, attention span...also if there's ADHD say, or perhaps the attention span is fine it's just on something other than what you are calling attention to.  But none of us can diagnose and 'could' is the operative word, as these things could all be something else as well.

    I'd be inclined to start making your own notes on anything you notice about his food preferences/aversions, behaviours - any repetitive ones, attempts to communicate - or not as the case maybe, what he plays with and how - does he act out little scenarios or just line toys up, what and who takes his interest and his focus on it, any fixations with particular toys, anything in the environment which seems compelling for him or causes distress etc.

    The diagnostic process should be quite lengthy and they will want all that information from you.  I'd also give them a list of the referral comments you don't think were right.  They should look at it independently and form their own judgement. Good luck

Reply

  • Hi there,

    Again, I'm an adult diagnosed as an adult, not a parent, but all the things you mention may or may not be indicators; the eating solids thing could be an aversion to food texture, speech delay certainly could be an indicator, attention span...also if there's ADHD say, or perhaps the attention span is fine it's just on something other than what you are calling attention to.  But none of us can diagnose and 'could' is the operative word, as these things could all be something else as well.

    I'd be inclined to start making your own notes on anything you notice about his food preferences/aversions, behaviours - any repetitive ones, attempts to communicate - or not as the case maybe, what he plays with and how - does he act out little scenarios or just line toys up, what and who takes his interest and his focus on it, any fixations with particular toys, anything in the environment which seems compelling for him or causes distress etc.

    The diagnostic process should be quite lengthy and they will want all that information from you.  I'd also give them a list of the referral comments you don't think were right.  They should look at it independently and form their own judgement. Good luck

Children
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