The Art of Diagnosing Autism
“Diagnosing autism is not like a blood test, it’s closer to an art than a science,’” said Lisa Dieker, a professor of social education at the University of Central Florida, in an article in today’s Orlando Sentinel. The article opens with the story of 4-year-old Gage Harrington, who was diagnosed with autism after a 2 1/2 year search by his parents.
On the beach today, I watched a boy about Charlie’s age who was overweight in a certain way—–dug his feet fast under the sand—-did not swim—had his Thomas the Tank Train towel draped around him by his mother—-held his head at a certain angle towards the sand.
Is he autistic? I’m not sure.
But the “classic” DSM-IV criteria for diagnosing autism—the noting of hand-flapping, or rocking, or lack of affection—-these don’t say it all.
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POSTED IN: Diagnosis, Parenting, Psychology
4 opinions for The Art of Diagnosing Autism
Jannalou
Aug 20, 2006 at 8:52 pm
I’m working on a post right now about a person who thinks that ADHD has been misclassified as a “disease” and thinks that I could turn my life around if I went off my meds and used his 12-step program (and got my hair tested for various toxicities and whatnot, which we all know is quack science). It’s a long post but I think it’ll be an interesting one for those who can get through the insanity. I take his quackery seriously because the things he says are proof positive to me that as soon as autism is eliminated, ADHD will be targetted.
Anyway.
I think it’s possible to get a “feel” for ASD after a while. I can tell fairly quickly if someone is on the spectrum or not. I have a “radar” for it. Not for ADHD, just for autism, but I do figure out untreated ADHD nearly as quickly as autism. ;)
Kristina Chew, PhD
Aug 20, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Looking forward to your post—–in the year after Charlie was diagnosed, I though I could tell whether a not a child was autistic quite readily. Now I am not so sure—I do note “different” kids more than I used too, for sure.
Daisy
Aug 21, 2006 at 10:32 am
I have also developed a “radar” for Autism and Aspergers. Since I am an elementary school teacher, that “radar” has come in handy when helping families look for answers as to what’s up with their children. I tell them I can’t diagnose — I’m a teacher, not a doctor — but they might want to look into an evaluation because of (list symptoms here). Hearing it from an Aspie Mom sometimes softens the blow.
Chris Marsh
Jan 3, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Around the time of 9/11, I was 31 with Asperger syndrome in a Methodist autistic kids ministry. Then as now I am in Web design. I thought the kids sort of knew I was Asperger.
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