dx....."label"?

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Is a diagnosis a "label"? I thought it was important and seem to be having opposition from others who think it isn't necessary. Is this denial on the part of others? I am confused

Yes, a formal diagnosis is what most people on this forum are referring to when they say "label". The most common reasons that people with psychological and neurological differences dislike "labels" are because they don't feel the symptoms and traits listed in diagnostic literature describe their life experiences well, or because they resent the stigma that is attached to being diagnosed with mental "disorders". On the other hand, many people are happy to have a formal diagnosis, because it helps them understand their differences. It is a matter of personal preference. The only situation in which a diagnosis is really important is when you need services or accommodations, and cannot get them without a formal dx.

Since this is posted in the Parent's Discussion, I'm assuming you have a child who has or is suspected to have Asperger's. I'm not a parent, so I can't speak to the issues that surround getting your child diagnosed. I think that decision would have to depend on whether your child needs accommodations in school, and whether your child is unhappy with his or her social life. If school is going well and your child is happy, a diagnosis might cause your child unnecessary distress. However, if your child is unhappy or falling behind in school, the diagnosis can be vital to getting the supports and information your child needs to succeed. However, as I said above, I am not a parent and I'm just basing my ideas on how I think I would have felt if the diagnosis were available when I was a kid.

my son is 13 and pretty much has a diagnosis. I have sought this to help him and me understand why he is different, so that he can be empowered by knowing why he is different. School? *snorts* I have a different view on this because I am NT. He is bullied, teased horrendously, and taken advantage of. I am home schooling him this year because I couldn't take it anymore. I have wondered if this was the right decision for him or me. He hasn't really fallen behind in school, rather he is so smart that he is near bored to tears. I want to do what will help him, but unfortunately for one reason or another second guess myself most of the time.

Sounds like a diagnosis could definitely be useful in his case. I was actually thinking of a much younger child, who wouldn't have the sophistication to understand exactly what AS is, when I wrote my advice above.

I don't understand what you mean by this.


At age 13, he's probably mature enough to participate in the decision-making process. Does he feel comfortable with the idea of being diagnosed with a life-long neurological condition? Does he prefer being home-schooled?

A diagnosis [label] can grant access to services and therapies, especially for the younger kids.

Seeing and hearing how poorly he is treated by his peers, I ache for him! Maybe it doesn't bother him as much as it bothers me, and there's the problem. I think it does affect him somewhat, although he has said that homeschooling is lonely. I was wanting to get him out of middle school. next year will be 9th grade, and then maybe he'll go back. I will of course let him be a part of this decision.

receiving services for him was a major reason for wanting a dx. Needed to share that one and forgot, thanks

I thought this might be the case. I was a lot like your son when I was that age - academically advanced and constantly teased and taken advantage of, but also sort of oblivious to how mean the other kids were really being. I was mostly just pleased to get attention. Whether or not high school will be the best thing for him depends on a lot of factors, like teacher attitudes, curriculum, and whether or not he can find peers that respect academic achievements. I'd be inclined to encourage him to try it out for a few months, because he really could learn a lot of social skills there just by observing. If it gets too rough, he can always go back to homeschooling. Of course, I am probably preaching to the choir here, as you seem to have thought all this out rather thoroughly yourself!

I was just on the phone today with a Psycologist asking about the benefits of an official dx.

Right now, I'm at the stage of keeping things pretty quiet because I don't want my daughter to be stigmatized.

The Psycologist, however, mentioned that one of the benefits of an official dx (at a cost of $1200.oo- and we're supposed to have "good" insurance!) would be for them to make allowances for her on standardized testing.

My daughter has a normal to above normal IQ, but is really shaky on testing. In the past, her teachers have commented on how slowly and methodically she does her work.

With an official dx, she will be allowed more time to complete some of the really important standardized tests, like AIMS. She is going into high school next year.

it depends on who you talk to .............a diagnosis is a medical label for a medical condition..........there are also educational labels such as: ED ( emotionally disturbed) , LD ( learning disability), SED ( seriously emotionally disturbed), etc. These labels are used within a school system to help classify where the school should place your child.

Just a thought... I recall a statement I read somewhere that basically said that you can view a dx as a label... or a signpost, I took this to mean that you only use it when you need help to get to where you need to be.

As I said, just a thought!

Be well,

'Vette

BTW, hi, I'm a newbie here!

I wanted my son to have a dx so he could get all the services he needs. I am often offended when people say he "is Autistic" since I feel Autism is something he has [b]not who he is. l/b] I rather say he "has Autism" maybe I am just too sensitive, I don't know?

many people (including myself before the last couple of years) don't realize that autism is a spectrum. they hear "autism" and think of a child who doesn't speak or flaps their arms or bangs their head on the wall. I, too, haven't been able to decide how to refer to my son. He doesn't seem "autistic" to me some of the time, but other times he does. Maybe saying "Autistic spectrm disorder" is more accurate, but I don't think that would help the people who don't know about it.

Most people are surprised when I say my son has Autism, his dx of PDD, but I don't think most people understand so I just say Autsim.