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Learning disability and autism diagnosis question

mumtoone

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can help clarify something for me.

My son is 4 and was diagnosed with autism in September. I’ve noticed people often mention co-occurring learning disabilities alongside autism, and I’m trying to understand what that actually means in practice.

His diagnostic report focused on autism only and didn’t mention a learning disability at all, so I’m wondering:

  • How and when are general learning disabilities usually identified?

  • Is it something that would normally be assessed at the time of an autism diagnosis?

  • Or is it something that only becomes clearer later as children get older and learning demands increase?

I’d really appreciate hearing how this unfolded for others and when (or if) it was formally diagnosed for your child.

Thank you so much.

Parents

  • Hi and welcome to the community!

    Around one third of autistic people also have a learning disability.

    If your son's assessors had any concerns about him having learning disabilities, they would have flagged them in the diagnostic report, as this is one of the key potentially co-occurring issues that they are required to consider when diagnosing autism.

    As the NAS explains in the first resource linked below:

    "The assessment should seek to identify signs of potential co-occurring conditions that may require further assessment and tailored support. Co-occurring conditions may include (but are not limited to) ... learning differences and/or disabilities."

    NAS - What happens during an autism assessment

    NAS - Related conditions - including learning disabilities

    NAS - Varying support needs

Reply

  • Hi and welcome to the community!

    Around one third of autistic people also have a learning disability.

    If your son's assessors had any concerns about him having learning disabilities, they would have flagged them in the diagnostic report, as this is one of the key potentially co-occurring issues that they are required to consider when diagnosing autism.

    As the NAS explains in the first resource linked below:

    "The assessment should seek to identify signs of potential co-occurring conditions that may require further assessment and tailored support. Co-occurring conditions may include (but are not limited to) ... learning differences and/or disabilities."

    NAS - What happens during an autism assessment

    NAS - Related conditions - including learning disabilities

    NAS - Varying support needs

Children
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