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Ammi · 03-07-2021, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewismacfarlane

Im sad but i think its for the best

..thank you for the update, Lewis…I think that you’ve made the only decision that you could for you to be able move on…it doesn’t feel like a friendship that’s meant to be atm and not in your control to change that in any way…there are so many things that you can enjoy and control so just enjoy those…

…

Crimson Dynamo · 02-07-2021, 08:36 PM

is it me?

user104658 · 02-07-2021, 09:45 PM

To add to that though, back on thread topic, I’m afraid I suspect the parents thing was an excuse in this case and she had some other reason. Not much to be done really, always a shame to lose a friendship but time to move on I’d say.

ThomasC · 02-07-2021, 10:06 PM

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and...essment/adults

user104658 · 02-07-2021, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasC

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and...essment/adults

“There are several diagnostic tools available, and diagnosticians aren't obliged to use a specific tool.”

Again immediately clear that diagnosis in the UK differs to the US, being a holistic assessment without rigid requirements.

ThomasC · 02-07-2021, 10:43 PM

Would you really give someone a diagnosis of autism if they came into your clinic with only social communication issues? Baring in mind they could be introverted, Shy, withdrawn, depressed and dyslexic?

And then again, social interaction?

Then jump to the conclusion it's Autism?

My point still stands and you'll find that given the correct assessment tools and knowledge of the assessor that they will draw from that to make a diagnosis and could conclude that they don't meet the criteria for an autistic diagnosis.

However, to eat my own words. Yes, it's not completely rigid....that has changed somewhat, but I would expect an assessor to find issues in all those areas, varying degrees, or to opt for a different diagnosis.

user104658 · 02-07-2021, 11:51 PM

No, and I would probably agree on balance that autism is probably over-diagnosed, partly because of over-stretched services using it as a catch-all for more nuanced developmental conditions. But sadly CAHMS is so swamped and under funded that the time and resources are just not there. A separate issue really.

The main issue with the diagnostic triad though is that one aspect could present far less obviously than others, and that becomes more pronounced with age.

My own daughter was easier to get diagnosed because she has other associates learning disabilities, functional communication problems rather than behavioural, etc. BUT (to give examples) she actively seeks social interaction, is highly creative and engages in advanced imaginative play, despises routine and enjoys novelty… things that are generally contrary to the diagnostic criteria.

I do suspect that her “full” diagnosis is probably more complex if we were to investigate further, but we’ve not gone down that route as yet, as there’s not really been a need to. The main point I suppose is that her diagnosis IS, on paper, “just plain autism” and it was made by an experienced paediatric consultant holistically just before her 4th birthday, and was not strongly linked at all to the written diagnostic criteria. Unfortunately the “most common” route for kids in the UK is going undiagnosed until nursery or even early primary school and then having to go via the education system and CAHMS which is just… “not ideal” as things are currently.

ThomasC · 03-07-2021, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

No, and I would probably agree on balance that autism is probably over-diagnosed, partly because of over-stretched services using it as a catch-all for more nuanced developmental conditions. But sadly CAHMS is so swamped and under funded that the time and resources are just not there. A separate issue really.

The main issue with the diagnostic triad though is that one aspect could present far less obviously than others, and that becomes more pronounced with age.

My own daughter was easier to get diagnosed because she has other associates learning disabilities, functional communication problems rather than behavioural, etc. BUT (to give examples) she actively seeks social interaction, is highly creative and engages in advanced imaginative play, despises routine and enjoys novelty… things that are generally contrary to the diagnostic criteria.

I do suspect that her “full” diagnosis is probably more complex if we were to investigate further, but we’ve not gone down that route as yet, as there’s not really been a need to. The main point I suppose is that her diagnosis IS, on paper, “just plain autism” and it was made by an experienced paediatric consultant holistically just before her 4th birthday, and was not strongly linked at all to the written diagnostic criteria. Unfortunately the “most common” route for kids in the UK is going undiagnosed until nursery or even early primary school and then having to go via the education system and CAHMS which is just… “not ideal” as things are currently.

Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified was phased out not too long ago. Just double checked as things change constantly. However, this term only really came about in 2013 and for me is a good one because it gives the assessor a diagnosis where someone would meet some, but not all of a,y,z. Having said that I do believe it needs to be flexible, hence the ‘continuim’ because there are such varying degrees presented in so many differen5 ways.

You were lucky to get that diagnosis so quickly. IT can take up to 5 years.

Don’t get me started on underfunding. It really is dire. I see the pain and hear the pain a lot. I have to sit in meetings, where families are at crisis point and no one really has any options or you just repeat what has already been said, go through tick lists..... the crooks of it lies within funding. There aren’t the services or people to provide the needed help.

user104658 · 03-07-2021, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasC

You were lucky to get that diagnosis so quickly. IT can take up to 5 years.

We weren’t lucky, we were persistent and privileged (which I suppose is a form of luck, really) enough to be already well educated and well read when we took our concerns to a paediatric diagnostician. Though I suppose there’s also an element of luck in having one who was open to listening. Her verbal communication issues are very obvious though which makes things “easier”, much harder for people to get a diagnosis when there isn’t a “very visible” impairment like that, and as I said even worse when it’s got to the point of battling through the education system and CAHMS to even get near a consultant.

We had all of our i’s dotted and t’s crossed long before she even started nursery (they actually got some major upgrades because they got a nice big chunk of funding for her, lol) and have never needed a sniff of CAHMS. Which I am very glad about because it seems like it can be an absolute minefield.

ThomasC · 03-07-2021, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

We weren’t lucky, we were persistent and privileged (which I suppose is a form of luck, really) enough to be already well educated and well read when we took our concerns to a paediatric diagnostician. Though I suppose there’s also an element of luck in having one who was open to listening. Her verbal communication issues are very obvious though which makes things “easier”, much harder for people to get a diagnosis when there isn’t a “very visible” impairment like that, and as I said even worse when it’s got to the point of battling through the education system and CAHMS to even get near a consultant.

We had all of our i’s dotted and t’s crossed long before she even started nursery (they actually got some major upgrades because they got a nice big chunk of funding for her, lol) and have never needed a sniff of CAHMS. Which I am very glad about because it seems like it can be an absolute minefield.

Good to hear.

Yeah, a minefield indeed.

Lewismacfarlane · 03-07-2021, 07:45 AM

Im sad now that I've lost this friend

ThomasC · 03-07-2021, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewismacfarlane

Im sad now that I've lost this friend

You need other avenues to explore.

You are focusing too much energy on this one person.

Do you have any hobbies or things you enjoy? Do you have other friends?

Lewismacfarlane · 03-07-2021, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasC

You need other avenues to explore.

You are focusing too much energy on this one person.

Do you have any hobbies or things you enjoy? Do you have other friends?

I have loads of friends