Why the world expert on Asperger's took 30 years ...

[auntie]

Why the world expert on Asperger's took 30 years to notice condition in his own son

Will Attwood has been addicted to drugs for the past two decades, an affliction which has seen the 35-year-old jailed multiple times and reliant on support from his family.



His father, Prof Tony Attwood, describes him as “a hero”. It’s a feeling towards his son that has come about since his decision about five years ago to watch an old family video.



Until then Attwood, an internationally renowned clinical psychologist known for his knowledge of Asperger syndrome in children, had been reluctant to look back on the videos of Will as a toddler, a time before addiction and pain.

more at www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/25/why-the-world-expert-on-aspergers-took-30-years-to-notice-condition-in-his-own-son

[waverly]

I think those that are borderline (not talking autism specifically) can sometimes make it harder to diagnose. I know that is true in my son where I know things are off, but I don't know what or didn't know because he is borderline. Although, what is happening with him medically is slowly becoming more clear.

I also think dealing with some major life issues not matter what they are can cause other issues to fade into the background until such time that we are able to process and address them.

I am trying to address things quickly because I do believe there is a window for success, and the younger the better. However, it is unfolding with some complexity, so I think there are some things I am still missing, and perhaps something I might miss for a while.

[auntie]

Sept 26, 2017 16:21:10 GMT -5 waverly said:

I think those that are borderline (not talking autism specifically) can sometimes make it harder to diagnose. I know that is true in my son where I know things are off, but I don't know what or didn't know because he is borderline. Although, what is happening with him medically is slowly becoming more clear.

After I posted this, I had a conversation with a person I know who is a professional in ASD-world. This person knows Attwood; he wrote a foreword for a book for them. I recall a convo we had about this particular son over 10 years ago; at that time he had been dxd for some time. My friend confirmed this to be the case and was totally WTF? about this piece. 

I also think dealing with some major life issues not matter what they are can cause other issues to fade into the background until such time that we are able to process and address them.

How true. 

I am trying to address things quickly because I do believe there is a window for success, and the younger the better. However, it is unfolding with some complexity, so I think there are some things I am still missing, and perhaps something I might miss for a while.

I don't. 

I have met too many adults who flew below the radar and who only came to a dx once their own son was diagnosed. I mean Aspergers wasn't even in the DSM until 1994- there are a lot of adults who went undiagnosed because they didn't have the language or adaptive skill delays that would trigger an evaluation. Many of these adults cobbled together their own intervention plan and have run with it. 

For my own DS, the most effective interventions were Social Thinking and CBT. He was about 8 when he started with these. The other piece, specific to ASD, is that it is a developmental delay around social and emotional skills. These individuals can continue to mature and learn well into adulthood. 

[waverly]

Good point that there is still room to grow as an adult. I do have this sense of urgency, and I have to set him up for therapies ASAP and provide a good foundation. I am talking in general here and not just autism.

I also see my sister having trouble with her two kids, and thinking she should have intervened way earlier, but although hard to watch, I am not able to do anything there. I must continue to realize it is a marathon not a sprint. I just have this urgency to get on this so that everything comes together for adulthood, but I also need to accept not all things are in my control and all things at their right time or in due time.

I can see the WTF reaction to this piece since it did seem to be a bit of a sensational headline.

[macchiatto]

waverly, I hear you. My own son is borderline ASD and that's why he didn't get the ASD Dx until 8 even though it had been on our radar for most of his life. It has been confusing and murky up until then. He had so many things in common with kids on the spectrum; I remember auntie saying maybe a year or two ago that he sounded more like a kid with ASD than some people she knew who did have the Dx!