Mild Autism?

Hi Texlab, still coming to terms with it all and having plenty of days where I think the doctors have got it all wrong. Sam's advice is good I think to discard anything that doesn't seem to apply, of which there is absolutely loads. I guess the other thing is that the big worry for me is the future rather than the present - my son is getting on perfectly well at school, has plenty of friend and is happy and confident most of the time. Maybe that will change as things go on - but I could say that about the other two as well.

The book I've found most helpful so far is Simon Baron-Cohen's "Autism and Asperger's Syndrome - The Facts". It does start with a chapter on two fairly severe cases which made me wonder if this was another book that wasn't going to be relevant to my son, but the rest is written in a straightforward way that helps understand what is happening.

Hi all,

I dont know if people will agree with me but I have found that my son who is now nearly 17 and was only diagnosed in july that looking back I can see loads of traits and behaviours that make me think oh my god why didnt we realise this, but on the other hand he also has loads of behaviours that dont fit at all. He was a very happy and cheerfull toddler although  he wouldnt cuddle or look at people his way of showing affection was wanting to be near me and that was always enough for me. He has done very well  at school passing his exams although he cant manage to pack his school bag without help organising what he needs to take. I dont think you can measure how bad someones ASD is. I think that he has hard challenges in some areas of life and support him in these and  try not to think in terms of where he fits on the spectrum, which is really difficult when trying to get help for him because how do you explain this to people who have no idea what you are talking about.

I now say to people that he is some one who also has ASD as opposed to being an ASD person and then the help he needs is....... Does that make sence??

The only small bit of advice I have is that I have been reading loads of info and books and find lots of things that make me go   'oh thats why he does that'    or    'thats not him at all'.  Take what helps from books and ignore completly what doesent apply to your own situation because everyone is different and what works for one will not work for another.

best wishes

(is it too early to say Merry Christmas? Oh well Ive gone and said it now!lol!)

Sam

x

Trevor, your situation sounds just like mine.  My son was diagnosed with ASD last Friday after being referred to a paediatrician by his first speech therapist.  He's four, having just started school in September.  Without the speech delay we probably wouldn't have gone looking for a diagnosis at all.  He's engaging and affectionate if a little distant with kids his own age, makes eye contact and doesn't resist change.  However, having absorbed the huge shock we got at the paediatrician's we've been thinking back over the past two years or so and reflecting on his (sometimes challenging) behavior and the ASD does fit - it's just mild.  Still reeling with shock and trying to come to terms with what this might mean for his future.  If you do find some useful literature or links, do let me know.  Thinking of you and totally understand where you're coming from.

The market is flooded with texts but it is hard to find something informative that gets to grips with such important issues as whether it is mild or more marked (and "mild" can mean good in some areas marked in others).  It is sad that there are so many texts around which are of a clinical nature, often using rather extreme examples as illustration, and presenting a very negative picture (as if to strengthen austere clinical recommendations). Those about education are often quite severe. And there is a lot of biographical stuff which can be useful but generally represents those with more marked difficulties.  Thirdly there are books by therapists making the case for various therapies, which can be negative in outlook.

I find Tony Attwood's "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" a helpful reference on symptoms, and a more positive image, but it still has clinical elements.

Although written early, based on anectdotal evidence from a smaller circle of respondents at that time, Clare Sainsbury's "Martian in the Playground" is much more human and empathic than most texts, and a good one for understanding life at school.

Glad you've got a good SENCO.  The author of the book has quite a 'pick and mix' philosophy herself, she doesn't adhere to one particular school of thought but has more of a parent's 'do what works' pragmatic perspective, which I like.

I forgot to say that another good book is www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=sr_1_1 .  It is has lots of practical tips in bullet point format, and extremely readable.

Yvanna

Thanks Yvanna! He has been assigned to a speech therapist (in fact it was her that pointed us in the direction of the paediatrician who diagnosed), and I must say the SENCO at his school was excellent when we spoke with her the other day, although we'll wait to see if the support promised is delivered of course! But I'll definitely give this book a run - the advice I've been getting is to use these books as a bit of a pick and mix, ignore the bits that don't refer to your child, as you say they're all different.

Hi Trevor

Many children (maybe most?) don't fit the diagnostic criteria exactly - for example, my daughter (diagnosed as a very clear-cut case before the age of 2!) is very affectionate and cuddly and has reasonably normal behaviour for her age.  However, she does have speech delay, and repetitive behaviours.

If you feel that his social relationships and empathy are good but that speech is an issue, maybe you will be allocated a speech therapist now you have diagnosis who will be able to set targets to work on in that area? 

A good book that I like is www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=sr_1_1 It's written by a mother of an autistic child who discovered lots of little tips for encouraging speech and productive play, just through trial and error with her own child.

Best wishes

Yvanna