what do i need to do to get the right doctor for my child that i feel has autism?

Question

i am a disabled mom with back problems not married s i have to use state aide and i feel that the doctors want to stop looking because the teacher question sheet shows adhd, i know thats not it and they want to put him on adhd meds, i say no ....what can i do? i live in missouri

my son is 5

Answer 1

The following link has some autism resources for Missouri residents:

http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/mrdd/progs/autism/AutismFacts04.pdf

I would suggest you call these resources and ask that your child be evaluated for autism because you suspect that he might have it. I would definately push for further evaluation before medicating your child with something that he may not need. You have to be your child's advocate!!

Answer 2

Nobody can tell the difference between schizoid personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, reactive attachment disorder, autism or ADHD for certain. This is because there are no neurological tests for ANY of these. The only way you can tell the difference is by observing behavior, but peculiar behavior has multiple potential causes, including perfectly normal childishness.

As for medication, those simply temporarily subdue the overt symptoms. If your child has ADHD symptoms, the medication will calm him down. It doesn't matter if the condition is technically autism.

Finally, it sounds like you really want a diagnosis of autism. Why would you want that? The medication for autism is no different than for ADHD. I know the word is going around that autism is neurobiological, but the same word is going around for ALL mental illness. The situation is starting to look political rather than scientific.

Answer 3

Teachers are not trained and not licensed to diagnose, and the fact that your son's teacher has, is highly illegal and unethical. They also cannot mention medication, that's in the federal education laws, it is against the law for them to mention it, much less push for it. You really really need a special needs advocate to help you at school. There are usually free ones through disability services, please contact your local autism society chapter and ask for references to any good ones in your area.

If you have state insurance for your son, call the department of health and ask for their developmental disabilities service number. Every state has to have a department, through federal funding, although each manages differently and has different qualifications.

How old is your son?

Answer 4

Find another doctor. Tell them that the teacher thinks he has ADHD, but you don't. You think it could be something else. Tell them your son's symptoms and listen to what they think. Your son may not be autistic. In fact, it's unlikely he is. He would have been diagnosed by now. But obviously there is something. Just try different doctors until you get one that will listen and give you a real opinion. And remember you are seeing them because they are the expert.

Answer 5

I agree with Junebug and would add that many children with Autism also have a diagnosis of ADHD. Having one does not cancel out the other. Fight for your child, you're all he's got.

Answer 6

Is it feasible that one of the analysis of autism are unsuitable? Of path. Autism is a difficult factor to pinpoint, exceptionally in circumstances wherein the symptomology and affect is much less extreme and the little one is top functioning. Autism has the sort of extensive variety of signs, that for decades, simplest the kids with probably the most extreme type of the sickness had been diagnoses or even then it was once hardly ever earlier than the little one started tuition. It is has been my enjoy that it's practically continuously larger for the little one to get a analysis...any analysis..after which search moment or even 3rd opinios. The rationale for that's that despite the fact that the analysis is later revised and even romoved, the little one can have started to recieve offerings a lot faster than if the "wait and supply it time" system that was once the norm for goodbye is used. As we now recognize, the important thing to serving to kids with autistic spectrum issues (adding Aspergers and PDD) is getting them into extensive remedy as quickly as possilbe. A little one who, after a interval of time and further checking out, is observed not to meet the analysis is hardly ever harmed by means of a few periods with a speech therapist and occupational authorities, however an undiagnosed little one who is going with out intervention is going through an much more challanging street. This is, I consider, one of the most causes medical professionals are diagnosising increasingly kids with autism...they want the analysis to get the offerings wanted and ready can turn out to have signifigant, unintended effects at the total healing of the little one. That being stated, I additionally do think we're seeing extra kids with spectrum issues. Why is rough to mention. Certainly the truth that increasingly gurus are awared of those problems and extra offerings are to be had has resulted in an multiplied concentration and extra analysis at a miles prior age than we have now visible within the new release previous. I additionally consider there is also different elements worried, however what's rough to mention. Many consider innoculations for MMR are the important thing. I have a tendency to disagree with that idea, however do consider there are a few outside elements coupled with a genetic predisposition that outcome each the occurance and severity of autism. I might like to peer reports performed on using antibiotics within the mothers and fathers, as good as exsposure to different pollution. The new release of dad and mom of the kids on this new wave of autism had been regularly given top and frequesnt doses of antibiotics as there was once no know-how that they had been regularly useless and/or would construct up within the process, We also are the new release exsposed to top stages of CO2 (economic climate autos got here in as we left top tuition and institution), smoking was once the norm and there was once little concentration of greenhouse gases and the consequences of alternative enviromental elements. It is feasible that each one of that, tied right into a genetic code we have now but to discover, would be the intent. Of path, it would simply be that as we evolve as persons, we can see the upward push and fall of alternative issues and illnesses. At this factor, the useful fact is we do not particularly recognize what has prompted the sort of giant leap within the quantity of kids identified with autism. What we do recognize is that the analysis is now not one in every of hopelessness and confined possibilities that the phrase autism might have connotated 15 years in the past. We recognize what ideas can paintings, we all know that the secret's intervention as quickly as possilbe. We recognize what academic items paintings good for our youngsters and that even a little one who does now not talk is regularly as mentally conscious and competent because the ordinary little one sitting subsequent to him. And what we all know is being unfold in the course of the parenting neighborhood, so dad and mom now not think by myself or remoted. Treatements, behavioral plans and simply well strategies may also be shared on the push of a key on a laptop keyboard. All of because of this whilst there is also extra youngsters with the analysis of autism, in twenty years there can be much more adults, residing a whole and significant existence on account that of all that has been and can be performed.

Answer 7

go to any developmental pediatrician to get a battery of tests and a diagnosis so oyu can intervene and help your child as much as possible. the younger the better chances you have of helping your child to be more high functioning. good luck. its a hard long road but dont forget to always love and enjoy your special child!

Answer 8

You should seek a consultation with a mental health professional who specializes in children.