Saying hello

Thank you- academically - he has no problem with speech or language. However conversational language is a struggle at times. 

I got the impression that the diagnosis was from not just from the tests he completed, but also statements / questionnaire that us his parents completed and his teacher took part in. 

We do a lot of things science / space orientated - and he has a space themed hat that i got from ASDA. 

We have found his kindle fire a great source of education for him (even the games he plays are educational- his choice!!) we downloaded 'sandbox 2' which is a program where you can create your own planets and solar system. 

Everyday he amazes me!

Youtube kids :) He has a small tablet which I set up all the parental settings so he can only watch ok things, and he found trains and then got really into them. He now has a train simulator app which I researched and downloaded, and I managed to get him a hat from America in one of the train companies which he wears all the time. he also talks about them constantly and knows all the train numbers. I have taken him to som emodel train shows which he likes, and its nice for me to spend time with him at

The UK diagnostic system can be weird like that. I was diagnosed over three years ago with "Autistic Spectrum Condition, Level 1", yet a friend referred by the same GP surgery, but to a different diagnostic service, was diagnosed with "Asperger's Syndrome."   So it seems that, for some time now, there have been services using the more recent DSM-V criteria (the USA standard) whereas most still use ICD-10 (the international standard.)

The updated ICD-11 international standard was just published a couple of months ago, and essentially incorporates the newer criteria from DSM-V. Of course, it will take quite some time before the new standards trickle down to UN member states' health services, but I wouldn't be surprised to see places anticipating the switch-over, especially as many professionals consider that the new standards model autistic conditions better than the old ones (there is more emphasis on sensory sensitivity, for example.)

Asperger's Syndrome is an interesting case, as one of the requirements is that there is no delay in development of functional language. However, some autistic children with language delay do develop good functional language, either at a slower rate or by suddenly catching up, so delay is not necessarily a good predictor of adult abilities. For people diagnosed late and for whom, like me, it can't be established whether there was a delay or not, it's rather ambiguous whether Asperger's or "high-functioning" Autism would be the right diagnosis, or whether there's any value in distinguishing.

Wow- thats quite a specific subject! How did he get into that? 

Thats what she said, she places him on the mild end of the spectrum. We have another appointment in six months time so i’ll ask her about it then x

Hello Flamingo83 and welcome.  I find it strange what you consultant said because I was diagnosed just last week with Asperger's so they are do still use that diagnosis.  I also have a 12 year old foster son with Autism and ADHD so know the struggles you will have gone through to get any diagnosis.  

Hi Flamingo,

I have a 5 year old son diagnosed with ASC (Autistic spectrum condition). He loves numbers and letters, and can read well above his age and count amazingly as well. He is also obsessed by American Diesel Freight Trains (Slightly inconvenient as we are in the UK, but never mind). It can be exhausting, as we have 2 other children, and I am also diagnosed ASC,

Happy to answer any questions and share experiences if you need!

There are also lots of people here that can help / empathise with you, so dont worry about asking the wrong question, as there will always be someone who understands!