Are AS and PDD considered "autism"???

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Registered: 02-17-2002
Are AS and PDD considered "autism"???
6
Wed, 01-24-2007 - 5:07pm

I know that sounds absurd. I know that PDD and AS are part of the autism spectrum, but do you refer to your AS or PDD child as being autistic or do you say they have an ASD or AS/PDD? When DS was dx in Sept. the Dev. Ped. told us he has PDD, not autism, but that PDD is an ASD and that true "autism", or what the general populations thinks of as autism, is a separate thing under the same umbrella. When I've met with DS's teacher, they have referred to it as autism and I've noticed several people here do also. What is "PC"? I guess what I'm asking is when explaining his situation to friends or family, should I say he's autistic or is it more correct to say he has PDD??

Thanks!
Trisha

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Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 01-24-2007 - 5:58pm

Depending on who I'm talking to, I'll say Asperger's or mild autism.

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-24-2007 - 6:13pm

That is the million dollar question. I think the answer isn't what is the politically correct way because there really isn't an agreement on that. I think the answer is related to what you are comfortable with, who your audience is, what the situation is and finally what your child is like.

For instance, talking to a stranger in a grocery store because she is staring at your childs behavior, go with autism. Easier and quicker to understand and gets them off your back more quickly. Most of the time I use autism spectrum disorder or "autism spectrum" because it covers a wider umbrella. They are related to autism without calling to mind "rainman" or someone rocking in a corner. That is always a fun one to explain as well.

We (dh and I) kind of use AS/aspergers/autism/ASD at random. To me they are all very similar up in the more verbal end of the spectrum and so I don't see a need to delineate between them. I have met kids with AS who are "more" autistic than some kids with "autism" that I have met. I think that separating AS from autism based on when a child aquired language is absolutely silly. It often is not a certain fact that they will be more affected than those kids who did begin talking at the right time.

There is really no right answer. Go with your gut. Your child is on the autism spectrum. Thier brain works like an autistic child. It is still a significant disability even if they don't have each of the symptoms in the right order.

Renee

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 01-24-2007 - 9:25pm

Trisha,


I usually use "slightly autistic" or "mildly autistic".


...of course, I have lots of non-PC options as well


...In a grocery store or something I may

-Paula

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2006
Wed, 01-24-2007 - 11:03pm

Trisha
I would have to say I'd agre with the majority. It depends on situation. I have a child with PDD. It depends who I am talking to and how educated the audience is.
I will throw autism out when I get the blank stares about my son's behaviors.

Go with the gut

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Registered: 12-22-2003
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 9:04am

Typically I use the terms High Functioning Autism for our 9 y/o aspie and Autism for our 6 y/o autie. I refrain from saying things like "mild" because it seems like people don't take the disorder seriously when I do. It's almost like, by saying "mild", people immediately revert back to the "poor parenting" belief.

Amy

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Registered: 10-03-2004
Thu, 01-25-2007 - 9:42am

Yup, everyone has something different which is right for them. If we are in public and Malcolm is visibly more upset than a huge 9-year-old maybe should be, I use "sensory issues" or "anxiety disorder". This is because even when he is upset, Malcolm doesn't exactly seem autistic to almost anyone, including those damn special ed teacher/pop-tarts of last Spring... But I have so not taken on educating the general, un-washed public, 'cuz I just ain't got the time.

Someone I know better, I will go into more details on the PDD-NOS, which is really what he is, sorta "yes", sorta "no" on the autism.

Sara