Has anyone here ever had a child misdiagnosed for Autism? What made them initially think it was Autism and turned out not to be?
2007-06-03 12:13:34 · 5 answers · asked by shadowboxer78 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
This can be quite common, particularly because many professionals do not have a good idea about what constitutes higher-functioning or milder autism spectrum disorders. In addition, these can be very difficult to diagnose. Thirdly, intervention and therapy can really help children who have been diagnosed... to the point where when they get older, the diagnosis of autism no longer applies.
2007-06-07 06:15:29 · answer #1 · answered by thedrisin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect the Virginia Tech killer, Cho, was misdiagnosed with autism. He was diagnosed shortly after they arrived in America, when he was about 9.
Some with autism have great difficulty talking, even though they may be very intelligent. Cho hardly ever spoke. But, as we saw on the videos, he COULD speak. He just chose not to.
Apparently, he was mentally ill from a very early age. His anti-social behavior was attributed to autism, when it was really mental illness.
And with no treatment for his illness, it got worse. And many died as a result.
2007-06-05 23:23:58 · answer #2 · answered by Smart Kat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Autism might be the correct diagnosis and yet the child could do very well. All cases are individual. Intervention and special help is needed for autistic children to make the most progress.
"Making it in the mainstream: Sentinel senior overcame autism challenges to graduate 10th in class"
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/06/06/news/local/znews02.txt
2007-06-06 15:23:23 · answer #3 · answered by Linda B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My nephew, Bain was misdiagnosed with Asperger's, a high functioning form of autism because medium to loud noises really irritated him and he was "socially withdrawn", didn't make a lot of eye contact,etc.. A pediatrician sent him to a specialist in OKC,Okla. who gave this diagnosis. For over a year, my brother and his wife thought that's what it was. They took him to 3 other doctors after seeing progress at home. He doesn't have autism,tho. Finally a doctor told them he didn't think it was Aspeger's at all. He told them to make sure to give him stimuation, "get him by the chin and make him look at you" My brother would get right down on his level and make him maintain eye contact with him to get him to communicate. That was 4 years ago. He is a pretty normal functioning boy at age 8 now.They really never laid off him and gave up. He was a little withdrawn in Pre K and into the 1st grade but does much better now.
2007-06-03 19:34:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
My daughter was misdiagnosed with Autism. We later found out she has Rett Syndrome, which is far worse,and quite different.
2007-06-03 19:38:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋