Is early detection really crucial?

Post Reply New Topic

I think the importance of early diagnosis has been exaggerated. There are people who cope without their AS being discovered later in life, or perhaps not at all. In some ways it's better that they don't have a diagnosis which lowers their expectations and others' expectations for them. Yes, it's hard to cope in some ways, but I don't think that labeling a child with a disability early in life solves everything. In some ways, it might create more problems, especially if the child is shoved into ABA programs which are focused on making the child superficially "normal."

I think another reason why early intervention is stressed, atleast in the curebie culture, is their believe that plasticity of the brain will decrease with age, so it's better to make changes early on.

Early diagnosis is the key if there is the right help.

We did not recognise that U3 had any problems before he went to school. Then all hell broke loose - a boy having melt downs continuously, a very sad, very lost little boy. I don't know how he would have survived if his teacher had not had a son with aspergers.

Then U3's older brother started raging, became suicidial. Life was hell. For Smelena the only hope for him was to have aspergers. If not, she had no idea what to do with him.

One year later I have two of the funniest grandsons. The are both doing well at school and they have friends. Early intervention at Tony Atwood's clinic has given them tools to control their lives.

I could write for hours about the things they do and the things they say, but I will spare you. But without intervention I shudder to think how they would be today.

EARLY INTERVENTION YEA!

The only 'cure' is to take control and that is what the boys are learning. Why attempt to cure quirky, hard working kids?

Early detection is important particularly for those severly effected. It can change a child's life. I'm happy to see this thread on WP. It recognizes that not all are fortunate to have only Aspergers. Some do suffer more severe problems. We can now diagnose early and help the younger ones as best we can with intervention.

I totally agree with you, Leo21k,

I dropped out of high school when I was 15 due to social isolation, bulling and basically failing classes because of the stress.
I would think that if I were diagnosed earlier, I would have stayed as would have known that the bullying was not my fault and that I wasn't doing anything on purpose.

Overall, I think early recognition of an ASD in any person is important...not just for their mental well being, but for the education benefits, too.