Concern about autism in 10 month old

When GS1 was diagnosed the psychologist explained to him that he had skills that ordinary people hadn't, a great eye for detail and an exceptional memory. She explained that while he could learn a lot of the social skills he needed, ordinary people couldn't "learn" his skills. He was quite happy with that idea. He can be hard work of course and his very literal interpretation of things can cause complications, but we cope.

NelliemoserI obviously did not make myself clear. What I was trying to say was that while Aspergers MAY have the advantages Baggs mentions, and I am not convinced, these advantages are more than outweighed by the disadvantages.

We have a family member with Aspergers at the severe end of the spectrum, who is also learning disabled. I can assure you if they have any special advantages and skills we have all failed to see them and it is the problems this disability causes them and everyone round them that we notice.

Fennel, could it be that it is simply recognised now whereas it wasn't before? I'm sure that's a factor if not the whole story.

'People' may, mamie, but I am not 'people'. I did not say anything untoward and I resent your implication that I did.

Besides, Asperger's covers a spectrum too and some of its manifestations are very, as in VERY, difficult to live with. That I know in abundance but I still don't regard it as altogether a handicap.

Which is all I was saying.

Here's a list:
scholar.google.fr/scholar?q=Autistic+spectrum+disorder+-+why+increase%3F&hl=fr&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiizPK5ytLXAhVM2RoKHfeKB34QgQMIJDAA

Has anyone any theories about why there has been such an increase in diagnoses of ASD and ADHD over the last 20-30 years? I don't know if this is relevant here, or should be in a separate thread.
There has been some research, one report here:
www.autism-adhd.org.au/autism_prevalence

I think in the past you have talked about living with “aspies”, Baggs.
Undoubtedly there are aspects of Asperger's type ASD that are useful to the neurotribe (one evolutionary theory suggests that these were the “spotters” who supported the hunt, though I am not entirely sure I believe that).
The problem is that people see that as representing the whole of ASD, when it clearly doesn't. Most television programmes also seem to focus on the savant end of the spectrum, so people just don't see how hard life is for people with ASD and the people who live with them.

I wasn't talking about extreme autism either. That should have been apparent but apparently wasn't.

My saying that autism does have advantages was not meant to mean that it always does nor to lessen the problems it can cause both for those so afflicted and their relations. I'm sorry if it gave that impression. I was thinking, for example, of was attention to detail, certain details, not others and phenomenal retention of information.

I'm also sorry that people are assuming that I have no experience of living with family members on the autistic spectrum. In fact I have—about four decades-worth.

I agree Nelliemoser. Every time we have one of these threads we get people talking about “quirkiness” or “special skills” or “enjoying their little differences”. I find it insensitive, patronising and completely divorced from the reality of living with autism.
My grandson is not at the severe end of the spectrum, but the pressure of managing his condition puts enormous strain on the family.
As my son says, “we love him and value him as a unique human being but I would give my right arm for him not to have it”.
To the OP I would say watch, wait, make notes. There are plenty of people here who do understand and can offer help if it is needed.

M0nica. Baggs etc. I really cannot agree that Aspergers has any advantages for anyone.
These persons might well be experts in certain things, but so are a much greater number of people who do not have any of the range of other difficulties that Autism/Aspergers brings. Think of the "Rain Man film."

I have known people who seem to think that all people all people with Autism/Aspergers have some special skills about them. Far from it. People with very severe autism often have severe learning disabilities and self harm is not unusual.

"Autism does have advantages" ??? what are they then?
I am sorry but, there are no "advantages" to any condition that causes many sufferers real stress.

Labelling children always sounds awful but it can be very useful to have a definite diagnosis once you get to secondary school age when everything becomes more demanding.

Very complex subject indeed! Firstly I do agree 10 months is too young to make assumptions but I also agree if any parent/grandparent is worried then observation is the key at this stage rather than trying to get a diagnosis.

My eldest grandson is now 6 and we started noticing differences in him about 3. TBH I wasn't worried at this point and said, he would come on in his own time. My daughter wasn't so convinced. Health visitors didn't really see a problem. GP wasn't keen to refer. but DD insisted as his younger brother is just 12 months younger than him and was completely different. It was like HE was the elder brother.

When he was 4 he started having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Thankfully, for now, the medication worked and he has been seizure free for 2 years but he is way behind his peers at school (also been off medication since July)

My DD is currently fighting for 1:1 at school (similar to the Emmerdale storyline if anyone watches it) We all feel he would come on much better if he had 1:1 EXCEPT doctors still won't actually diagnose him as such! Its frustrating not knowing what the actual problem is; all we know is development wise, he is equivalent to a child of 3. looks about 8 (so strangers expect more of him and there is a lot of tut-tutting when he has a meltdown of a toddler - we have found strangers VERY judgemental and if I've been guilty of it in past I have certainly stopped it now)

DD feels it would help him to be diagnosed but her DH feels it would label him? Its not that he ISN'T coming along in any way.....its just he is so far behind, I am now agreeing with DD as we don't want him to be left behind totally. He IS such a happy boy in other ways and is considerate and kind to his siblings and cousins (plays with them) but he doesn't have any school friends and is hardly ever invited to birthday parties which breaks my daughters heart but he doesn't bother a jot!

Bottom line (after rabbiting on about me) is don't worry too much at moment, just see how things develop.

DD says that she and her colleagues in the lab spend their spare time working out how far up the spectrum they all are. However they are all well accepted in their own field.

ninathenana, a friend of mine was recently diagnosed at age 50. The friend has run business successfully and appeared on a superficial level to be a good communicator. The anxiety and depression that have accompanies this persons life led them to seek long term, expert therapy. 'That led to a referral to a specialist team and the consequent diagnosis. To say it was a shock to the person and their close friends / family doesn't do the diagnosis justice. However, it's made a huge and positive difference in helping the individual make some sense of continuing difficulties.
starbird - I know you don't mean to sound judgemental but nonetheless in my view, you achieved that. There have always been parents who are far from optimum, in the absence of neglect or abuse, their children usually stagger through to adult life without major difficulties. I do see some young parents with their mobile phone glued to their ear rather than their face focussed on their child. I see many many more who are entirely focussed on meeting the needs of their children.

Our son was not diagnosed until he was 23. Growing up he had no friends and still dosen't. I remember him crying on more than one occasion and when asked what the problem was, his reply was "I don't know". I didn't notice a lack of eye contact, sensitivity to sound or ritual behaviour but he did spend a lot of time alone in his room and still does. He struggles to interact with anyone including us. It makes me very sad to think had we or a teacher realised when he was young, things might be different for him. Autism shows it's self in many forms

Sielha. You say he does not react to his parents, what about reacting to you? Does he enjoy cuddles etc with you?

Does he enjoy music - you could try different types, tv programmes for toddlers etc

Is you daughter one of those that spends her time attached to her phone or iPad?you see that so much these days - mum pushing buggy with one hand stuck to her ear. Sometimes even the toddler is watching cartoons on a tablet. I dread to think how they will grow up.

Baggs, I do understand the points you make. Many people on the ASD have areas of special interest and become experts in their field. Science, academia, Bletchley Park etc spring to mind.
It's similar to the argument about the arts and mental health issues. The brain is such a complicated organ, add environmental and genetic influences and be amazed at our differences.
I see a diagnosis as something that has the potential to help a child during his or her school years and into adult hood. The diagnosis at 7 or 8 helped by grandson a lot. He was no longer seen (in his words) as disruptive and difficult. School gave him tasks to do at break times which he enjoyed, involving books of course. This gave him a bit of status, a job he worked at and also, helped him avoid the playground where he was tormented and unhappy.

Again, thank you so much for all your responses. I think I will continue to be observant but not panic too much. He displays some behaviour that could be attributed to autism but then there is also so much behaviour that doesn't fit that diagnosis. Watching Children in Need right now and feeling grateful anyway. Again, thank you all x

Way too young to be concerned. Enjoy him and his achievements. Around 2 is the age it becomes more noticeable and all people (including adults) can have behaviours also on autistic spectrum but not diagnosed with autism. In fact there are lots of people in adulthood now being assessed as having Asperger's, never having been considered this before.

I think it was probably easier in the past for very clever people who were fairly low down on the autistic spectrum to survive in certain jobs, particularly research and academia. There were always lecturers and professors who were known to be unapproachable. These days they are less acceptable, a certain level of sociability and a willingness to mix and talk in order to fund research is part of the job.

A programme on r4 today think may e wimans hour was was about diagnosing autism in young children and something to check out is hearing so maybe speak to a health visitor for advice. Try not to worry though, chances are he is absolutely fine.

Autism does have advantages but it almost always makes social interactions difficult to a greater or lesser extent and so much of what goes on in life requires social interaction.

I was talking to someone yesterday whose son is described as having high function Aspergers, but his father was describing the problems he has had making friends at a big primary school because of his odd manner and obsessions and that he is moving over 100 miles to a rural area where schools are smaller to find a school environment where his son will, hopefully, flourish.

I know two other people with undiagnosed, but probably autism. One has rarely worked, he wants to, but loses jobs as soon as he gets them because of his 'rudeness' to people. The other is a highly qualified IT expert who rose high in his field, but everyone I meet who worked for the company knows of him, at least by repute - and it is more for his perceived 'rudeness' and lack of some social skills than his brilliance.

Autism may bring its benefits, but certainly brings its problems.

To be honest we didn't really notice anything different about GS1 until he was 7 or 8. He smiled, he talked (for England!) and made eye contact. We only worried when he started having problems at school because he had a young teacher who didn't know what to do with him. By that time he had developed a lot of food fetishes and I was having to take him home from parties because he couldn't stand the noise. He has friends at school, although as DD pointed out he doesn't mind if they're not there. And several of them are also somewhere on the spectrum

My question wasn't snippy either, iam, but completely genuine based on my long-term experiences of certain people with and without actual diagnoses.

IS autism ALWAYS something "wrong"? Or can it be seen as something else? As, in some circumstances, an enhancement of some qualities? I'm thinking of a description I've read more than once of somebody famous—sorry, I've forgotten who, but you'll have heard of them–that famous.... oh wait! I might have remembered: Isaac Newton, I think it was. Someone like him anyhow.

I'll see if I can find the passage.

Anyway, the point it makes is that he would probably have been diagnosed as autistic nowadays and his autism was an advantage as far as the rest of humanity is concerned.

That's why I'm asking.