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Diagnosis levels

NAS80743

My 9 year old son has recently been diagnosed with ASD, mild level. From what I have researched I would have said moderate level would be more reflective of him. I am also concerned that he won't then get the right level of support he needs which could affect how well he can thrive despite the challenges. Has anyone had a similar situation? Should I push back with the company who did the assessment, do they ever change it? Or am i overworrying? Does anybody know anymore how they differentiate between the levels. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Had that feeling, but then I was living with an alcoholic.  

    Were you in burnout, do you think?  Clearly you've raised a kid.  As have I and I managed just fine - I was exhausted, but coped and gave us decent living conditions.

    Substitute alcoholic for kid and throw in a few problems of my own and - burnout.  For a while there if I got out of bed and into the bath it was an achievement.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Yes, ASD doesn’t sound straight forward atall. 

  • in reply to NAS75657

    There needs to be a multi domain approach that reflects strengths and weaknesses in various areas.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    I think this is why having levels maybe isn’t right? 

  • in reply to NAS75657

    I have  very high  verbal intelligence, but prior to moving to be near my (s) daughter I was in a spiral  of self neglect. I was struggling with independent living skills. Something like cleaning my flat totally overwhelmed me. I went into avoid mode

  • I know of some Autistic people who are very literate and articulate, yet they have no independence skills atall and live in supported housing. Maybe that could be why levels aren’t helpful. Some Autistic people dont speak yet are very highly intelligent. 

  • I'm surprised they said anything about levels at all. The levels in the DSM5 are really about the American social security system.

    Indeed, I asked about levels when I was diagnosed, but current thinking is they don't actually help you very much. And actually, I agree categorisation like sever/ mild, or low / high functioning; or level 1 -3, really don't do us a lot of favours. It's more of a case of 'you are autistic' that can cause different problems in different ways at different times.

    In many context I doubt people notice my autism, though they'll never see how hard I'm working underneath to keep up with the social threads, hints and nuances or screen out the sensory bombardment. In others, - just try sticking me in a hospital - it could not be more obvious and the support need is high. Other autistic folk cope just fine in the doctors, but are totally overwhelmed by the most basic of social chats.

    Personally, I think it better to talk about the level and type of current support needed, rather than the level of autism. The level of required support can change; up or down, as we go through life, but we are never any more or less autistic.

  • Lately, I think they just say you have a diagnosis of ASD. They tend not to specify the levels, as we all need support, but at different degrees. Due to your sons age, he should get support without problems because he has a diagnosis.  What is it that you think he needs?