Is it possible for someone to grow out of an Autism/Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis?

Question

My teenage son, who was once diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 9, who once displayed many symptoms of the syndrome/disorder, but now doesn't display them anymore. He's a very smart, very athletic, smooth talking, socially confident guy, you'd never think he still carried his old diagnosis. You'd also doubt that he was once a shy, socially awkward, clumsy, and obsessive child.

I suffer from bipolar disorder, and my manic episodes have resulted in a great deal of trauma to my son when he was just a small kid, and I'm gut wrenched to say this. I don't want to go into details, as I'm medicated now, and have finally accepted my illness. It's also laid a mark on my son too. I believe my episodes stunted his psychological development, and LOOKED like an autistic spectrum disorder. Though he still has debilitating problems with attention along with severe mood swings. The attention problems were always noted in my son’s school reports and his academic problems surfaced possibly as a result, though for some reason professionals linked it to AS rather than ADD, which now seems more likely.

Can anybody experienced help me with this current situation please?

Answer 1

No, it is not possible for one to "grow out of" an Austism or Asperger's diagnosis. I am happy for your son to have made such progress, that is wonderful!  In my work, I see children with Aspergers daily.  I am also happy for you as well in dealing with your bipolar.  In any case, the symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder can, in many cases, mirror those of ADHD.  Children with a spectrum disorder can often be misdiagnosed at first as having ADHD.  It seems like, just from your short information, that the opposite may have happened for your son.  My advice would be to take your son to a pediatric psychiatrist for testing for ADHD.  Counseling might also be a huge help for him, both in and outside of school.  While he is making leaps and bounds, as you've said, the progress may only be intensified if he's got someone to vent/ express his feelings to, and they could also help him keep his behaviors/actions on the upswing :)  Good luck!

Answer 2

No, it is not possible to outgrow these problems. There are, however two other possibilities. One is that he was not properly diagnosed. The other is that he has been receiving the proper therapies and help, and has now become 'compensated' and now knows hot to deal with many of his difficulties.

Either way, I would put your son in therapy, to deal with issues he may have, as a result of your illness. I would also ask for a full psycho-educational assessment. This will give you a glance into how he learns. Also, I would get a second opinion on his diagnosis if you are doubting it; better late than never. If he were compensating for his difficulties an expert would still be able to 'see' that he Haas asperger's.

Good luck.

Answer 3

They don't really grow out of it, but what does happen is that they get experience and build a toolbox of strategies to help them in social situations.

Answer 4

it's not that people grow out of it

people compensate---just like a diabetic can appear physically healthy---they must manage their condition--it's still there

Answer 5

They don't grow out of it, it isn't like a cold where you get over it.  Autism is something you either have or you don't.  As a person with autsim ages and has the right education and therapies learns how to deal and cope with things.  It isn't that they grow out of it, they become able to deal.  There are strict criteria when diagnosing autism - a person isn't diagnosed with autism just because they "look like they may have it".