FAQautism

Parents wrote asking for thoughts about the wisdom of pursuing a diagnosis for their 18-year-old son. The parents reported that the son “has a severe thought disorder in the form of uncontrollable thoughts and images that replay constantly in his mind.” They went on to say that he has “very pedantic speech, very rigid routines, and quirks like unusual food preferences and fascination with certain textures such as fingernails and cloth.” The youngster dropped out of school during his final exams because of severe test anxiety. Although he appears to be intellectually capable of completing college, his failure to graduate from high school, his significant test anxiety, and rigid behaviors are standing in the way of those plans.

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The parents reported their quandary about diagnosis by saying that they are “having a great deal of trouble getting his therapists and psychiatrist to consider that he may have an autism spectrum disorder as they believe that he is merely anxious and borderline psychotic. At home he shows no evidence of either.”

The parents might want to consider three points when making a decision about pursuing a diagnosis.
1. What are the advantages of an “official” diagnosis? Once an official diagnosis is received, will his high school make concessions for autism when he takes tests? Is it realistic to assume he will be able to complete a college degree? Will an official diagnosis of autism help him receive support from his college to help compensate for his disability? Will the diagnosis help him in the future with job training, job placement, housing, and other situations encountered by adults?

2.If, indeed, your son is diagnosed with autism, is it worth the time, money, and energy expended? Are you prepared for the fact that the current diagnosis of anxiety and borderline psychosis may be accurate and that he may not be additionally diagnosed with autism?

3. Do you have concrete evidence of symptoms and behaviors that lead you to believe your son has autism? Present your observations to the professional diagnostic team as well as some information about autism spectrum disorders from a reliable source. If your son is not likely to demonstrate his autistic tendencies during an interview with the professionals, submit videos to demonstrate his daily routine. It is also wise to submit verification of your observations from an observer outside your family.

All of that is to say that you will need to weigh all the options and decide whether or not to pursue the “official” diagnosis given all the circumstances. We welcome comments from families who have encountered similar problems with disagreement about diagnosis. Just click on the comments button or send a message to talk@FAQautism.com

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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