I think my son has autism how can i find out forsure?

Question

ok here is the thing my son just turned 17 and he has always done little quirky things and family would always coment about them like he will repeat things until he get your attention he has a bad habit of spitting all the time he doesnt like to be hugged and when you ask for a hug he acts like you are asking him to something horrible! he also freaks out if you touch his face or touch him anywhere near his mouth. i was pointing at something on his cheek one time and acidently poked his lip he freaked out on me . i knew that he might be a little different but if he has autism how do i find out forsure is there some kind of test plus he go's to school everyday but he is in special ed and he will not graduate because he has a learning disability and they say he will finish high school and get a certificated but not a diploma! i am really concerned for him cus he is 17 and what will become of him when he is an adult!

Answer 1

There are several  symptoms/behaviors that combine to make up the diagnosis of autism.  Autism is usually diagnosed in childhood, not adolescence.  He might be suffering from a social disorder most likely not autism.   Seeking out a professional Doctor that has experience and skill in this area of disorders migh shed light to the exact nature of his condition.  Treatments should include a psychologist, and detox from environemental and endogenous toxins, clearing and assisting the nerve system(chiropractic).  Take a genuine interest and find out where his talents are, and help him figuire out how to make a living and be an adult  And interact with others.  But were all a lil different,  his nervous system may interpet the world different then you and me.

Answer 2

There aren't any tests for Autism or Asperger's. There are rating scales. Two rating scales are the "Gilliam Autism Rating Scale" and The Gilliam Asperger's rating scale. Ask your special ed teacher how you can get one so that he can get more help or a different kind of help if he rates high for autism disorder. You also need to have a physician's note that he is autistic.

Autism is a communication disorder. People with autism have trouble communicating their needs. They also have social withdrawal and some stereotyped behaviors. Skin sensitivity may or may not be on the spectrum, but it would be one of the least indicators for autism, if that is the only symptom. Get the GARS and you will have a better idea if he is on the autism spectrum.

Asperger's is a social disorder. The difference between autism and Asperger's is that Asperger's people communicate just fine. It is the content of their communication that is off. The don't understand social norms at all.

Answer 3

I happen to be the parent of a 12yr old with Autism. She was diagnosed at an early age. contact me at this e-mail address and I can give you more info regarding people and places to contact in your state. Most physicians don't have a clue, no offense but it can be very challenging trying to maneuver around if you are not sure where to go. Send me an e-mail, list the state and city you're in and I will try and direct you to the places that can help you the most. In the mean time, ask the school to evaluate your son right away if they haven't already. Get and IEP, Individual Education Plan. I.D.E.A is the federal law that tells you the rights you and your son have with regards to his education.

Answer 4

Best and only way to handle this and find out for use is get your family doctor to set up and appointment for him with a specialist in this area. That is the only way to find out for sure whether he is just going through a phase, like all teenagers, or he has Autism.

If he does the specialist will be the one to set up therapy for him. It is not for us amateur medicine men  here to decide.

Answer 5

I have an autistic non-verbal 15 year old son who was diagnosed at age 4. You need to get an appt with his PCP or pediatrician and tell him you want him to be evaluated for autism. Can your son talk?He obviously don't like to be hugged or touched although my son does all of autistic people are different. Is your son sensitive to certain sounds? There is one thing I would like to know, if your son is in special ed an has an IEPwhy was'nt he evaluated for autism a while ago. These people are supposed to be trained to look for different disabilities and get help for the kid. There are some programs for adults with autism and I would contact goodwill and Voc Rehab and see if they can help.

I hope I've Helped also Autism Speaks is a good site for answers.If you ever want to chat just e-mail me.

Answer 6

look online for PDD  and see if that defines him.  How has it been that he is in special ed without a diagnosis? Ask the ssd for the # of a doctor they reccommend.  This will point you in the direction they believe your son can be helped. There are some medications out there that can make a significant difference for your son    good luck   A lot of the doctors give the aspergers syndrome.  look into the internet before the dr visit  so you can agree or disagree with his diagnosis.  My son was given the aspergers but refused it because he didn't have the symptoms for that but had plenty for pdd.

Answer 7

Obviously get him tested, but yeah, he sounds like he's got some classic signs that aren't really "just quirks". Here are some Asperger professionals by state:

http://www.aspergers.com/asplist.htm

You'll definitely want to take him to a specialist because autism has only been recognized as something other than mental retardation for about the past 50 years...and Asperger's is only about 15 years old. If you just start out with a general practitioner or psychologist I think you'll find they aren't as educated on the subject as you'll need them to be.

(Asperger's is a mild form of autism...this is a good list of specialists, and if it is more serious they can direct you to an autism-specialist, but I think you would have definitely had to have gotten professional help by now if he had low-functioning autism).

Don't worry!  Autism isn't a death sentence...it's just a pain in the *** to work around, and it can make life hard in certain areas, but at the end of the day he's still your kid. :)  If you learn to "speak his language" and he learns to "speak yours", things get 100x easier...it's just a matter of finding the dictionary, so to speak.

A good website for people with Autism/Asperger's (as well as their loved ones): www.wrongplanet.net

Answer 8

Where do I begin.  First of all an individual with special needs that does not receive a diploma, but a certificate of completion has the right to attend school until age twenty one.  so he has a few more years of school ahead of him. The school district should have a diagnostician who should have the skills to do an assessment and assist in determine if he has a learning disability and the type.  If not, it is her responsibility to refer the child to some one who can make and accurate diagnosis at the districts cost.

Answer 9

Seems like you would have noticed signs a long time ago.  17 is also an age when kids start rebelling and avoiding their parents.  No 17 year old wants a hug from their parents.  Does he give you eye contact and does he express any emotion.  If so, it is unlikely that it is autism, but you can't cross it off your list.  Some early signs would be flapping his arms and hands, avoiding eye contact, not being able to speak clear sentences, and not having an emotional connection with you or others....also autistic kids often have a fascination with opening and closing doors.  As far as your high school goes, you need to get in there and make sure he gets his diploma.  What is the difference between a certificate and a diploma?!  They should have been keeping you abreast of his learning and you should have been involved along the way.  If they have not kept you informed even when you asked, you need to find answers.