Autism
What is Autism?
Autism or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a diagnostic term used to describe a certain way that a person’s brain is put together and has developed from birth that presents as difficulties with social interaction and communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors and sensory sensitivities that are persistent across a person’s life span. As such we call it a “Neuro developmental” disorder. It is referred to as a spectrum because there can be a wide variety of difficulties expressed to different degrees all of which will have a varying impact on that person and their life.
Around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autistic spectrum. Together with their families, this means autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.
Here is a link to the National Autistic Association web site which has a very good video about Autism.
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx
Recognising that someone has Autism is important because it helps them to make sense of how they fit into the world and also how the world can adapt to help those who are autistic get a long a little easier. This is especially important for young people who are in education as often parents, young people and educators can feel that they are trying to get a “square peg in a round hole” and indeed they are!
There is no “treatment” for Autism but once it has been recognised plans can be made for making life easier and recognising what does not help also. Sometimes Autistic children find it very hard to manage socially and this can lead to anxiety and depression which needs to be addressed.
How is Autism diagnosed?
As with any neurodevelopmental diagnosis it is really important to get this right as once given the diagnosis is for life. This can have repercussions for some carer choices (such as joining the military). However if a correct diagnosis is made early on this can be life changing for the young person and their family, so making sure that this assessment is comprehensive and robust is essential.
The first stage is a discussion with the Psychiatrist to ensure that we are on the right track. Many other issues can “look” like Autism (such as attachment difficulties, OCD or general anxiety) and it is important that we focus our efforts appropriately.
The next stage is a thorough neurodevelopmental history which will be taken from the parents and may take several hours.
Then there often will be a school observation completed by a member of our team with whom the young person is not familiar, so they do not recognise them on the day. This will observe the young person’s interaction in a variety of settings during the school day.
Following this there will be a manualised assessment completed called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule version 2 (or ADOS 2). This is a series of evidenced based tests that are delivered by a trained clinician and takes about an hour.
Finally all of these aspects are pulled together in a team discussion and the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders version 5) are applied. If these are met a diagnosis of Autism will be made.
This process, whilst extensive and involved, is widely viewed as being the “gold standard” and on a par with, if not exceeding, the input that the NHS would provide.
If a diagnosis is not made then the team will come up with some suggestions that might better explain the current issues and what might be done about it
Following completion of this assessment process a full report will be written and Liaison with school provided to assist with moving things forward.
Cost of full Autism assessment
£2200