Autism, 7yr old grandson, just diagnosed," high performing" autism ?

[grungema3]

I'm devastated. Poor my beautiful grandson, daughter, husband, their other kids. Was diagnosed epilepsy, not many seizures seen.  Two big ones awake, stopped breathing in sleep, just still, looking up.Tested Great ormond St., sleep., 15 in 1 hour, but can't see it. slight brain damage because of this but all symptoms said to be epilepsy. medicine greatly improved eyes looking up,  twisting, uncontrolled urge to look at light. Knows he's doing it. Boy desperate for help.

Medicine calmed general behaviour. Yesterday, more tests, diagnosed high performance autism. Completely fine communicating,  v.v.clever, friends, sometimes inappropriate behaviour, school, socially. Adoloscent interest in girls from about 3 years old. This was my first niggle that something was not right. Breathing problems when born.

1. How come they took so long to reach this diagnosis?
2. Can it get better, does it get worse?
3. Prognosis life expectancy plus quality of normal life experiences?
Please help. I understand autism but not in this form. Boy very big,v. strong, v.clever at all academic, sports activities. IQ 140. One thing also, eats enormous amount if allowed. Mum has to control. Thanks all xx    

[grungema3]

you have just been so helpful, Karendiane. I have had the three kids here for the last three nights as my daughter's heating's gone wrong. Honestly, not because I'm his Nanna, all  the stuff they see in school (they're brilliant with him) and all the stuff my daughter says has , in the main, have  not shown at all. He has new epilepsy meds- time release - and he's been lovely.
He's very big for his age and would eat all day if you let him. He's overweight even though my daughter is so careful to provide healthy, fresh diet for al of them.
I told him you don't only get hungry in your tummy, sometimes your eyes get hungry and to think about which bit is hungry. If  he says he's hungry we decide if it's eyes or tummy and he feels happier knowing he is in control.
He has had some angry episodes but my husband and I  just cuddle him, even though he struggles to be free. There must have been about one a day. Of course I don't want him to have autism but , although there is a marginal difference in behaviour between him and the others, I just hope no-one's just labelled him because they didn't know how to categorise him.
Thank for your upbeat message, it helped so much. I will look at that website. Bless youxxx

[KarenDiane]

I'm not familiar with seizure disorders. As far as the autism, it can get better with therapy. Usually speech, occupational and physical therapies are used with success, Autism can be hard to diagnose because there is no absolute test for it. It is a diagnosis based on observations and educated opinions. Autistic people can have a very high quality of life and a normal life expectancy. I don't feel like I was very helpful, but you might get more info from a website like Autism Speaks. Good Luck.