Autism isn't something YOU can diagnose *rant*

Quoting ECMOM970:

You are so right! It is sad that this happens...sometimes doctors not really qualified to make this diagnosis just put in on kids because they can't figure out what's wrong. It is a hot diagnosis right now like ADHD use to be...not everyone has it and when this happens the kids that do have it suffer!

I agree! Doctors who are not familiar with ASDs should not be diagnosing. I was seen by more than one doctor, and had a very involved evaluation.

My son was seen by a neuro and developmental pediatritian at CHOP for his evaluation. I didn't even share the family history (many cases of ASD, from severe to mild) until after the evaluation. I didn't want the results to be biased.

People do this with Bi-polar disorder a lot as well as many other "syndromes" or "disorders". It irritates me too, and I don't have any of them.

I couldn't agree with you more!  I can't stand it!!! Every time a kid has a tantrum or makes a scene in public, everyone screams Autism!  Every hyper kid has ADD according to their parents.  It's so damn annoying. 

Quoting TattedMommyof2:

I couldn't agree with you more!  I can't stand it!!! Every time a kid has a tantrum or makes a scene in public, everyone screams Autism!  Every hyper kid has ADD according to their parents.  It's so damn annoying. 

Some kids are just obnoxious. Even good kids have bad days.

I believe it makes things harder for those on the spectrum. It becomes an excuse in the eyes of many, rather than what it is, a real disorder.

My brother has Aspergers and it took years for doctors to even diagnose him, he thankfully was diagnosed before it became trendy, but it kills me to see people use my brother as a barometer for their child.  Take your child to the doctor, don't do the diagnosis yourself. I think part of the reason the number of cases of autism has increased is because people are doing this and then go to doctors that are too chicken to tell them differently. 

Exactly.  

Quoting Cymbeline:

Quoting TattedMommyof2:

I couldn't agree with you more!  I can't stand it!!! Every time a kid has a tantrum or makes a scene in public, everyone screams Autism!  Every hyper kid has ADD according to their parents.  It's so damn annoying. 

Some kids are just obnoxious. Even good kids have bad days.

I believe it makes things harder for those on the spectrum. It becomes an excuse in the eyes of many, rather than what it is, a real disorder.

Quoting joates76:

My brother has Aspergers and it took years for doctors to even diagnose him, he thankfully was diagnosed before it became trendy, but it kills me to see people use my brother as a barometer for their child.  Take your child to the doctor, don't do the diagnosis yourself. I think part of the reason the number of cases of autism has increased is because people are doing this and then go to doctors that are too chicken to tell them differently. 

I get that as well. I am also asked if I connect better with others with AS. People with AS are often in their own world, and two people in their own world are two worlds apart.

I have had people send lists of their symptoms and asked if they could have it. I cannot diagnose. I often think, if you weren't recognized as having symptoms at a younger age, then you probably do not have it. I know some are missed, but often, schools, relatives, someone sees it.

This has been happening for years with other disorders, its no surprise it would move to this one also. Bipolar disorder, PTSD, Personality disorders, ADHD, and many many more. A lot of people just want to say they have because they want extra attention or something. I had a friend who told everyone she was Bipolar and had PTSD because of abuse she endured, she later confessed that it was a lie so that she could get attention at the hospital she went to. Its sad, but its a part of this world we live in. I refuse to allow anyone ot label my son because he has a healthy energy level. His speech therapist actually acts like its bad that my son won't stay focused on one activity for more then a few minutes, he is a baby for goodness sakes, he is only two, and isn't supposed to sit still for long periods of time doesn't mean he has ADHD or anything

I remember being in college and before the professor handed out the DSM* we got this lecture:

"As soon as you all begin reading about the various mental disorders, you are all going to think you have one or more of these problems yourselves.  YOU DON'T.  So don't even go there."

LOL We all of course went there anyway, and were convinced we had 5 or 6 different personality disorders,

*The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. It is used in the United States and in varying degrees around the world, by clinicians, researchers, psychiatric drug regulation agencies,health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and policy makers.