Tested For Autism As a Child

[BreaksOver]

As I analyze my memories and the way I think, I've been revisiting moments of my childhood. I've gone no-contact with both of my parents, so I have no way to discuss any of this with them, even if I wanted to.

I have a distinct memory of asking my mom if I was autistic (not sure what prompted this) and her saying that I'd been tested as a child, but the doctor didn't think I "had it."

I know nothing about raising a kid. Is it typical to have your young child tested for autism? Is that something that every parent does with their young child, or do they only do it if there is a strong suspicion?

 

[Darkkin]

Parents don't just randomly have their children screened for NDs. Usually it is at the prompting of doctors or educators when delays and/or divergences from the developmental averages are noted. If a parent has concerns they can also request screening especially if there is a history of NDs within the family.

 

[1ForAll]

As I analyze my memories and the way I think, I've been revisiting moments of my childhood. I've gone no-contact with both of my parents, so I have no way to discuss any of this with them, even if I wanted to.

I have a distinct memory of asking my mom if I was autistic (not sure what prompted this) and her saying that I'd been tested as a child, but the doctor didn't think I "had it."

I know nothing about raising a kid. Is it typical to have your young child tested for autism? Is that something that every parent does with their young child, or do they only do it if there is a strong suspicion?

No, it is not typical that a parent would test their child for Autism, unless that parent suspected Autism from many signs or symptoms shown at an early age or later. In our case, signs and symptoms showing such were numerous and moderate to severe in both of our children by eighteen months, and we kept pursuing some diagnosis that would explain many delays, limitations, behaviors and issues that seemed atypical and genetic, more so than common and environmental caused.

But, even many of the pediatricians and general doctors seemed clueless when I detailed and talked of all of our observations, which also included highlighting some common core components that should have lit up those doctors' brains. Needless to say, I as a proactive parent kept advocating for formal medical answers, until we got such, which required our children seeing specialists, as those other medical people seemed pretty clueless, not trained, too patient to admit such, or not wanting to dig deeper or test further there.

 

[BreaksOver]

No, it is not typical that a parent would test their child for Autism, unless that parent suspected Autism from many signs or symptoms shown at an early age or later. In our case, signs and symptoms showing such were numerous and moderate to severe in both of our children by eighteen months, and we kept pursuing some diagnosis that would explain many delays, limitations, behaviors and issues that seemed atypical and genetic, more so than common and environmental caused.

But, even many of the pediatricians and general doctors seemed clueless when I detailed and talked of all of our observations, which also included highlighting some common core components that should have lit up those doctors' brains. Needless to say, I as a proactive parent kept advocating for formal medical answers, until we got such, which required our children seeing specialists, as those other medical people seemed pretty clueless, not trained, too patient to admit such, or not wanting to dig deeper or test further there.

That makes sense. I think my mom may have not gone to a specialist, or she didn't want to continue to push for answers. The single "no" may have been enough for her to ignore and move on. Good on you for advocating for your children!

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I have a distinct memory of asking my mom if I was autistic (not sure what prompted this) and her saying that I'd been tested as a child, but the doctor didn't think I "had it."

I work at a large children's hospital, and we frequently see autistic children. My wife, a critical care RN, never saw me as autistic. My physicians never saw me as autistic. My co-workers and physician colleagues never saw me as autistic. The point I am trying to make here is that most health care workers, including pediatric physicians are often unable to recognize autism.

 

[VictorR]

It also depends on the time and place. To my understanding, where I am, public schools screen all of their students, and about 90% of diagnoses (in my area) are now made before the age of 12 as a result. But this is relatively recent, and so there are many, up to about age 25 or so, who grew up with a diagnosis, and then there are those usually age 30 or older who often find out only on their own journeys of self-learning and exploration.