***Edited to make it slightly less agonizing to read through.
So here's what I've been told about DS 9.
(1) Definitely PG
(2) Possibly mildly AS
(3) Possibly NVLD
(4) Convergence Insufficiency
It has never been suggested, but I feel almost certain after reading and reviewing lists (like
this one), that he has
DYSCALCULIA. He's "positive" for almost all of the symptoms.
I've always thought that ds leaned toward the NVLD side, but imo,a dx of dyscalculia, and possibly CAPD, would explain much of what makes him look like he has AS.
When I read
this page , I don't see how AS with dyscalculia is any different from plain old dyscalculia *in how it manifests*. What am I missing?
The things which make me doubt an AS dx are that he has never even come close to doing ritualized things, as far as I can tell. The only time he has ever had any kind of outburts or uncontrollable (or inconsolable) emotional displays was when he was a toddler. Loud noises (like fireworks) elicited screams of terror. He would climb our bodies to try to get away from the sound. He still startles at unexpected loud noises, including shouting.
He can be passionate and intense from time-to-time, but not so much so that he causes a scene. He's didn't regularly have tantrums even as a toddler --I can only remember one, and that was when asked to leave the library. LOL He's very compliant and follows rules --
when he can remember them! There are no obsessive tendencies I can think of.
When looking at the DSM list, this is what I see in regard to my ds:A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction
- Failure to use non-verbal social skills (i.e. eye contact, gestures, body posture, facial expressions)
He does avert his gaze at times; his face can be quite expressive, but when he's not smiling, he does seem 'flat'; I can pick him out on the playground by how stiffly he runs and walks.
- Developmentally inappropriate peer relationships
I don't think so, esp. when you take the PG into consideration.
- Lack of spontaneous sharing of enjoyment and interests with other people
Not at all
- Lack of social and emotional reciprocity
Not at all
B. Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.
- Preoccupation that is overly intense and narrow
Never
- Inflexible adherence to non-functional or peripheral routines
Never
- Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements
I've seen this only during one period of time when we were all under a great deal of stress.
- Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
Never. Not at all.
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It seems to me that he wouldn't even qualify for an AS dx at present. To me, dyscalculia and many aspects of CAPD fit him well and I'm leaning that direction instead of autism in regard to pulling together a plan to help him. I'm just wondering what you all think, based on what I've written and your own knowledge or experience of these things.
Is there anything I've written which would still make you still tend to lean toward AS or NVLD, with dyscalculia being comorbid? Thanks for reading.
