My full and complete dx is, "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (inattentive type) with autistic characteristics"

what'n the screwy bloody hell does that mean?

I have an "Asperger's features" added to my dx due to sensory issues

There is a whole spectrium of autisum ranging from "high functioning" to what one normally thinks of when someone says autistic. Obviously the lower into the spectrum you go, the more sever a case it is, while a high functioning autistic has some syptoms that interfere with life, but not to the point where the person is unable to care for themself.

Does that help?

My daughter was looking for information on autism and/or Asperger's and found this web page: http://www.autismhelpforyou.com/signs_so_easily_missed_or_dismis.htm

My 5 year old granddaughter has not been diagnosed with either autism or Asperger's, but we see way too many of these signs. She didn't learn to talk with us until she was almost 4 and she still isn't potty trained (her stools are very soft and I don't think she actually feels any urge to poop) among other things. Her teacher at school this year (Pre-Kindergarten) urged us to have her tested for Learning Disibilities and she already has an IEP in place for the rest of the school year and for next year too.

Geezu, I just read this link, and my daughter has 32 of these symptoms yet has only been diagnosed ADHD combined type with Tourettes syndrome, Sensory integration dysfunction, OCD, ODD and possibly Aspergers (not tested for) I am wondering if she was completely mis-diagnosed right from the get go. Yes, she's very intelligent, spoke early, was bumped up a grade and read/spells well beyond her grade level. But almost all of the behaviors listed are her. She sat her the other night for 20 mins watching the ceiling fan spin!!!!!!! I am really freaking out here. Is it possible that she is actually some type of autistic child and not just ADHD combined etc?????

If "possibly asperger's" is part of the diagnosis, you ought to follow up on it. It is possible that instead of having a diagnosis of several disorders to account for her symptoms , that she really has just one disorder which can account for all of her symptoms. Either way, following up will most likely confirm or rule out Asperger's syndrome.

Me :D

Appreciate the info Speedo and I agree 100%, its about treating the 'CAUSE' and not just the symptoms and that is exactly what her new doctor is going to hear June 7th! Or he's fired too!

All doctors tend to treat the symptoms. The thing is, if she has AS, then she may benefit from training and/or therapy. It won't cure her, but it will help her cope... but she probably won't get the proper therapy if she is not properly diagnosed.

ME :D

I agree, once I talk to her new doctor I will see if I can get her tested, like I said some of the autistic behaviors I read about, she exhibits daily. She just did bump into the wall and you'd think that she broke every bone in her body right now by the way she is wailing!!!! My poor neighbors!!! Another meltdown is coming!!!!!! :eek:

re: grand-daughter

A child that is not talking by age 18 months needs to see a Pediatrician ('developmental pediatrician'). A child should have at least a 10 word vocabulary by then.

Here is a list of Ages and Stages for Speech's 'developmental milestones':

http://www.tpsls.on.ca/talkingmatters.htm

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Also, she should likely get the children's Denver Developmental Screening Test. (DDST)

My son was diagnosed ADHD, with maybe autism. (whatever that means) The doc says he is borderline, after all, the line has to be drawn somewhere (his words). ADHD meds are helping him a lot, he can organize his thoughts better so he can express better what he feels. If he can tackle the social skills and gain some muscle tone, he may not receive the label after all. It is something like falling on the other side of the fence, but you can still see what's on the other side.

Time will tell...

In the meantime, I read this book The fabric of Autism by Judith Bluestone. The book itself describes a non-traditional method which I don't even know if it works, may never try it but it is as good as it gets to understand what goes on in the mind of an autistic person. She is/was high functioning autistic, proficient writer, and she really nailed the part abouth what she did as an autistic and why. She explains in plain english why an autisitic will do the same over and over, why they repeat what we say, why they "seem to" not look at you or not recognize people, rocking, taking clothes off and other.
It gave me a different perspective about life

Lunacie: May be a good idea to have your granddaughter screened for celiac.