Hi,
I'm new to this group and am just beginning the process of evaluation for a possible autistic spectrum disorder for my son who is, believe it or not, 14 years old. My son has had a very complicated experience with evaluations, therapy, school struggle. In the 4th grade, he was DX with an anxiety disorder, then ADHD and Bipolar Disoder. He's been treated for BPD for several years now, has struggle in school and although I suspected there might be some autistic signs a couple years ago, I thought I was looking too hard for something. It has only recently become more and more obvious that something is wrong. I feel really guilty I am just now going through tis process. Right now, my question is this...are there others here whose children were identified as having autism at a late age?
I just wanted to extend a welcome to the board. It's such a godsend w/ very helpful people and info and caring thoughts. I hope it helps you as it has me. Best of luck to you w/ your son and look forward to talking w/ you in the future.
Amber
Hey Gina, Big welcomes to you. You find you'll really like it here.Were like a big extended family.And trust me there's plenty of us to go around. as far as late age dx, my Carlo was dx at almost 5. I know not as late as you,but i felt the same way as you do know. he also has a dx of cp, seizure disorder and adhd. so we think it might have gotten overlooked.So remember were all here for you and take care.mom2carloHi Gina...don't feel bad...or we can feel bad together!
My son will be 9 in 2 months, and we are going through the process now...will be done in Sept. Like you, our reasons for not getting to this point earlier was not because of denial or anything like that, we identified other issues and were dealing with those for many years. He was dx'd with verbal apraxia and speech delay at age 2+ and sensory integration dysfunction by age 3, plus suffered from health issues for the past 6 years....well all that is under control now and it's become clear to us now as well that there is something else going on.
Good luck...and again...don't feel too bad...it's not like you weren't doing anything! I know I go through the guilt too...so I understand, but you WERE proactive....sounds like you too could blame some former medical professionals for not picking up on it! (ok, that's not nice, but it makes me feel better when I get too down on myself!)
Are you getting new assessments done now?
~Lesley