You know, I'm not sure why people get so snooty about self-diagnosed ASD. (Speaking as some who was formally diagnosed as a child.) Our definition of autism is based on symptoms. This isn't like someone with a rash deciding it's caused by imbalanced humors. It's more like someone noting that their skin is red, itchy, and has little bumps on it, and deciding that they have a rash.
Also, the study specifically dealt with people who had formal diagnoses already, so I'm really not sure how your comment is even relevant.
> Our definition of autism is based on symptoms. This isn't like someone with a rash deciding it's caused by imbalanced humors. It's more like someone noting that their skin is red, itchy, and has little bumps on it, and deciding that they have a rash.
No, it's not. A rash is a symptom, not a disorder diagnosed from a complex combination of symptoms; it's more like self-diagnosis of AIDS prior to the discovery of the role of HIV, and the use of HIV testing.
Our definition of autism, like many psychological conditions, is based on symptoms--behavior and development--not causes. We're learning more about the underlying reasons why brains work the way they do, so that may change eventually. But right now, if you have a large number of autistic symptoms, you most likely meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD.
In young children, the visible symptoms of autism may mimic other developmental conditions, so a professional diagnosis is important. An intelligent adult can make the distinction for themselves, given enough information. (Though they'll still need a diagnosis to seek treatment or accommodations.)
> Our definition of autism, like many psychological conditions, is based on symptoms--behavior and development--not causes.
That's also true of many physical conditions with unknown causes, hence the comparison to pre-knowledge-of-HIV AIDS as a more apt comparison than a rash.
> But right now, if you have a large number of autistic symptoms, you most likely meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD.
By DSM 5 criteria, you need either two or three symptoms (depending on exactly where you bound así for symptom) symptoms, manifesting by a particular time, with specific social impact, and all the potential symptoms (and the impact) are defined in a way that even an intelligent
layman in a position to be objective rather than applying a bias from their own position is likely to have trouble applying them well.
My son (8) is going through a diagnosis at the moment, in fact tomorrow we will be going to the last meeting with a pediatrician to effectively get my sons "Autism" badge ( Which here in NZ will open up a lot of funding for assisitance ).
Do you have any advice on things that were beneficial for you? Or alternatively things that were super horrible and should be avoided?
Hmmm. It was the '80s, so I don't remember a lot of the specifics. But there's a lot more public awareness and support now than when I was growing up, so there's that.
I guess the main thing for dealing with any autistic people is to remember that they're bad both at emoting and at reading others' emotions. If he seems insensitive sometimes, it may be that he doesn't realize he's being hurtful, or it may be that he's actually very upset but is shutting down and can't express himself effectively. We can learn to be better at both of those, but it doesn't come naturally.
This was less of a problem for me, but I've heard about autistic kids who frequently got yelled at/punished and genuinely didn't understand why, and that can be very damaging; you wind up afraid to do anything for fear of violating unknown and unspoken rules. So, I guess, try to be patient and talk to him when he acts out. Remember also that he may not be able to put his reasons for things into words, especially if he's upset or feeling pressured; that doesn't mean he doesn't have a reason.
Be patient, do your homework, listen to his doctors, be willing to talk to his teachers and go to bat for him at school, and I'm sure you'll do all right.
Also, the study specifically dealt with people who had formal diagnoses already, so I'm really not sure how your comment is even relevant.