5 year old on the spectrum, where should Mom begin?

robyrm2
Sat, 16 Apr 2011 22:05:47 +0000

FACT: Medication is used to treat the problems associated with Asperger Syndrome- such as attention problems and anxiety and depression. It does not treat the core symptoms (social communication, social behavior and repetitive interest patterns). This is true for the entire Autism Spectrum Disorder range of diagnoses, of which Asperger is currently a part.

The new DSM- the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual which doctors and psychologists use to diagnose- which will come out in 2013 is likely to not have a category called ‘Asperger Syndrome.’

A child is better off having an ‘evaluation’ rather than an ‘evaluation for Asperger syndrome.’ There is an explanation (whether it is severe enough to be called a disorder or not) for the symptoms and it is the explanation that is important to understand what needs to be done next.