Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
365714 tn?1292199108

Here's something I'd like to see

Rather than breaking autism up as High Functioning/Low Functioning, PDD NOS/ Aspergers/ autism, let's just call it autism and break it down into multiple subcategories like Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Central Auditory Processing Disorder and so on.

Parents, caregivers, doctors, psychos (psychologists and psychiatrists) can see specifically what they are dealing with. This should allow for better and more suited treatment and therapy plans. It can also weed out things that may not be as helpful for the individual. For instance, if gastrointestinal issues affect one person, then diet plans can be added into their treatment. If someone else with autism does not have a major problem in that area, then they don't need to be on a restrictive diet.

If someone with autism has issues with Prosopagnosia (face blindness) then therapy can include helping the person learn to identify people by other means.

If there is a speech/language problem, we can find out where that is occuring and work on therapy, etc..

I'm sure we can add onto this list.  I think it's a great idea for the most part.

My concern:  I don't want pig-headed insurance companies to get in the way and think that if someone with autism having only a few of the sub- disorders is less qualified than someone with more categories...

This was something that spurred on in my mind after posting in another topic. I've been playing around with the idea off and on for quite a while.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
470168 tn?1237471245
Yes, I think that approach would be more helpful.  For example, I keep being told by professionals that there is no point doing other assesments etc 'because we know children on the spectrum have these types of difficulties'.  But that is a cop out.  There are many reasons why a child may struggle with a certain aspect of learning and it doesn't always fall under the umbrella of autism.  But without looking you won't find any answers.  
Helpful - 0
365714 tn?1292199108
It was just sort of a random brain fart without any real logic. It seems to me PDD NOS is sort of a "catch all" for various things that may or may not be occuring.

In my opinion PDD NOS needs revision done more than anything else in the autism/developmental concerns. I joke it's the DSM's verson of "I don't know what the heck you have but it's pervasive and affecting your development."  It also seems to be a concern for insurances and getting services...  It's not viewed as severe enough to fully get all the benifits (training/programs/therapies, etc) associated with autism, but at the same time such people can't be left with nothing. I'm fortunate enough I've had support, but it was something my parents really had to fight for and really do some major a$$ biting.
-------------
I was looking up nonverbal learning disorder and Central Auditory processing disorder and thought such conditions described me almost to a "T" even more than the criteria for the PDD NOS I have (which really seems to be weak imho).

But once again I find myself cut off because the criteria for those two conditions requires there to be no language delay.  So in the end, the PDD NOS stays... I'm stuck in the "other" category.  I think it would be wiser to just take out the no language delay being a criteria for both conitions and say they can come with or without language delay.

Once again, this likely only makes sense to me. I'm just rambling on and doing a poor job at trying to explain what I am thinking.
Helpful - 0
401219 tn?1205879481
Where would people be breaking it down into these sub-categories?  In their diagnosis, IEPs, ER/RRs, other paperwork, etc? All of your sub-categories need to be able to be measurable and observable to be noted.   As an educator, it is most important to me to know the strengths and needs of a student as well as additional needs related to my student's autism (such as obsessive compulsive tendancies, hyperlexia, multiple disabilities such as CP...).  I am just curious as to where you are going with this train of thought.  
Helpful - 0
365714 tn?1292199108
I'm thinking what I am speaking about will eventually happen, and it is starting to happen in other areas. In the US, it's a bit slow...
Helpful - 0
365714 tn?1292199108
I'm not proposing it to anything really. I'm just throwing it out there. I guess a brain fart more than anything...

It's sort of a pet peeve of mine about the different names and things describing very similar things...
For instance with me I believe I have Nonverbal Learning Disorder and possibly a degree of Central Auditory Processing Disorder. That seems to describe me pretty accurately, but...

When I read up on the criteria for those disorders, there is no speech delay with those disorders...  I think it's somewhat silly they broke it down that way.  It's the same thing with PDD NOS and aspergers.

Speech delay or not there are many crossover symptoms. The speech delay should be noted, but as far as dividing up into completely separate dx's, perhaps that's where there is more confusion than necessary.

Then again I don't know. I'm just rambling off the top of my head. Any of this makes sense?  Perhaps it'd make a good debate anyway.
Helpful - 0
325405 tn?1262290178
Add on sensory integration dysfunction and ADHD.  (I have both those)

Some people have some categories without having autism.  Your idea to break autism down like that might help people who have some things but not enough to have it called autism to get help without being told to just grow up or just outright ignored.  It also might help bridge a gap between people with autism and people with other disorders that might be similar in some ways.  You are right about insurance companies... I'm sure they'd up rates for those with more subdisorders.  

Good luck if you try to propose it to the medical community... they are slow to change anything.  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Community

Top Children's Development Answerers
189897 tn?1441126518
San Pedro, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
What to expect in your growing baby
Is the PS3 the new Prozac … or causing ADHD in your kid?
Autism expert Dr. Richard Graff weighs in on the vaccine-autism media scandal.
Could your home be a haven for toxins that can cause ADHD?