I am SENCo and teacher who specialises in ASC and have undertaken specialist training in Autism. My brother has Asperger's Syndrome. I am certain that my 3 and a half year old daughter has Asperger's Syndrime. I work closely enough with paediatricians to know that if she walked into a paediatrician's office, she'd walk out with a diagnosis. My dilemma however, is whether or not a diagnosis would help or hinder her as an adult. I know that a diagnosis would definitely benefit her during her school years. I see first hand on a daily basis how beneficial it would be. However I worry about when she is older, with her job prospects and social prospects. Would a such a label impact on her ability to find a job or a partner? She is incredibly bright and I can see already that she would be able (providing the correct social support was in place) to be employed, but would employers be put off by a diagnosis? Equally, if she found she was able to have a relationship, would prospective partners be put off? I am certain that diagnosis is 100% beneficial at school age. What are your thoughts surrounding the helpfulness of diagnosis for and adult, particularly when they are so high functioning?
