Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all im mum to four children and have recieved news this week that is looking highly likely we will be soon recieiving a diagnosis of autism.
My little adopted daughter is 8 and since being a baby things have been difficult, I have been asking for help since she was 3 and when she was almost 6 we got referral to camhs, shes also seen a paediatrician, genetecist, educational psychologist and occupational therapist.
She has been assessed for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder which they havent been able to rule out and dont feel at the moment its appropriate to diagnose her birth mum did drink and take drugs during pregnancy.
Shes always been quite particular, stubborn and things have to be just right, she has a huge difficulty with clothes and things feeling right, her hair has to be done specific, always a pony tail and always in the exact spot touching her head right, her clothes are limited, after being assessed by occupational therapy she has sensory processing disorder struggling with vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, auditory and visual processing.
In school shes about 12-18 months behind maybe a little more in her reading, she is on school action although as she has outside agencies involved camhs and OT im thinking it should be school action plus but not sure. Her OT has requested shes assessed for dyslexia, her IQ testing showed she has a borderline IQ of 84/85
In March she had the ados assessment followed by them going in to school to observe her, the school observation showed she was needy of adult attention and rarely managed more than a few minutes without needing the interaction or support however her friendship wasnt age appropriate and she often isolated herself, her expression was mostly blank and she only smiled once during her assessment. Her ados test came back with a score of 12 however as she also has attachment difficulties they are still assessing to ensure they make the right diagnosis. She does have many autistic behaviours as well as many that are attachment so we are awaiting an appointment for assessment from the attachment disorders team.
Does anyone know if the ados test would have scored like that for attachment or is that purely autistic behaviours?
Her camhs doctor said she likes to be thorough and 100% sure before giving out a diagnosis and although shes currently 90% certain she has autism and attachment she just wants a little longer to make that 100% which i am in agreement with. She said they also want to assess her for adhd after observing in school.
Just wondering if anyone else has gone through similar, I fully agree she has attachment difficulties and agree that she has many autistic behaviours as well but would be great to hear from other people in a similar situation.
Hi Littlemiss
I don't know much about attachment disorders but would like to know more. My 13 yr old was diagnosed in Feb this year but much of what you have said, I can relate to. The pony tail thing used to be a nightmare - my daughter wanted it so tight that she began to get a red sore head. She now has it down all the time (which I'm not keen on as its long and thick) but it takes about 6 months to persuade her to change how she has her hair and then we are stuck with it for a good 18 months!
Regarding attachment, does this mean she's can't form bonds with anyone? My daughter finds this very difficult - either myself or my sister have to go with her when other people (like her dad or grandma) want to take her out. She won't form a relationship with her nan and will only do educational things (she has outreach education at the moment) with the same two staff that she has got to know.
Your doctor sounds as though they are being very thorough but I suppose its best in the long run. I'd also speak to the SENCO about school action plus before everything changes in September. I'm currently trying to get a statement as my daughter has been on school action plus for years and has gone downhill in the last 6 months.