- Joined
- Nov 13, 2019
Autism Spectrum Disorders are a series of symptoms that include anything from a tendency to hyperfocus on one specialized interest at the expense of being able to read social cues and engage with others, to being an adult with the IQ of a 2 year old who walks in circles and flaps his hand while humming.
High functioning autism in adults can often come across as OCD, OCPD, narcissism, sociopathy or simply chronic dorkdom.
The core symptom is social deficits.
Although it is detected early, typically 0-3, they wait till the 3rd birthday to make a formal diagnosis because the symptoms overlap with other problems, and as the child develops they get a clearer diagnostic picture.
In my limited experience "slobbering potatoes" are at the extreme end of the spectrum. Most of the time it becomes apparent very early on, if this child is going to need lifelong support, but I would suspect that in such cases autism is a co-morbidity of something else, bigger and more scary.
If the catch it early, they can fast-track the child into a series of interventions that help stimulate their brains and forge neural connections while the brain is at its most malleable phase (0-5).
There is little they can do for kids like the Hartley's, (slobbering spuds) except provide optimal nutrition, pain relief and respite care. They can try physical therapy and early intervention, but in general as the child's prospects are limited, so are the therapeutic goals. Gwen failed in 2 out of 4.
One autistic symptom such as the failure to track objects won't make parents jump ship. However, and I speak from personal experience here .... It makes you very worried for your kid.
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x2?