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Spotting the signs at school

Griffbags

Hi

I am sure, some time ago, I read somewhere on the website that it "can be difficult to spot signs of aspergers in a well organised classroom"...or words to that affect.

I can't seem to find it now...could anyone point me in the right direction because I need to let someone else know about this a.s.a.p.

I have read the 'sticky' about children behaving differently at school to how they do at home, and that is very useful and, in our case, very true. The bit I am looking for was directly connected with the diganostic process and how it can be difficult, even for experts, to spot the signs in school.

Thanks, any help would be much appreciated.

Hope you are all having a good day Smile x

  • Thank you, thats very helpful...just what I needed.

  • You might also have seen something I have posted about our daughter's paediatrician admitting that school information is not always helpful?

  • This is probably not it, but is related, if you look at the NHS NICE Guidelines for Autism Diagnosis in Children & Young People it says:

    http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13572/56428/56428.pdf

    1.2.5 When considering the possibility of autism, be aware that:

    • signs and symptoms will not always have been recognised by parents, carers, children or young people themselves or by other professionals
    • when older children or young people present for the first time with possible autism, signs or symptoms may have previously been masked by the child or young person's coping mechanisms and/or a supportive environment

    1.2.7 Do not rule out autism because of:

    • difficulties appearing to resolve after a needs-based intervention (such as a supportive structured learning environment)

    The point being, that school (whilst not necessarily "supportive") can be a routine and structure that enables an autistic child to function with few apparent difficulties.  That doesn't mean they are not there.  Mental health can greatly suffer if the condition is not recognised and supported.

    In the American DSM (which some clinicians in the UK use), it says:

    http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

    "Diagnostic Criteria for 299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.

    1. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life)."

    So at school, the demands may not have exceeded the child's capacities, that doesn't make them not autistic or not entitled to diagnosis.  Many high-functioning ASC children are highly anxious and are so inhibited at school and trying so desperately to fit in, they manage to subdue their behaviour, but this is like a volcano awaiting eruption and once they get home, where they feel safe, they release their anxiety and stress.