Mild autism

Do you or anyone you know have a child was a vey mild autism diagnosis? My child just got diagnosed but they said it is extremely mild. Her eye contact is inconsistent with her therapists (good outside of therapy) and doesn't always answer to her name. The day of her eval she didn't want to play with the psych girl that came so she said her reciprocal play was poor (usually she plays very well). In any case she got the diagnosis. Not sure if o feel it's a true diagnosis but it will get her more services. So unsure whether I want to go the ABA route or ask for spec Ed services back (which got discontinued). I've read so many different things.....how You see very quick positive changes with ABA and they improve greatly. On the flip side, I have read with mild cases ABA can backfire and make kids very robotic. I'm so unsure. Can anyone offer advice? I'm not sure if I am allowed to ask for ABA but if I see it's not working out for her, go back to spec Ed.

Mild autism

Yes--- My DD was just diagnosed in January and I was told that she was on the border--I'm going to FM you.

Mild autism

I'm going to FM you as well

Re: Mild autism

My DS is higher functioning and did/does well with ABA type therapy. I think in his case, it worked well because they incorporated it into a more natural setting, using play skills at home and at daycare, so it was not just him sitting at a table doing discrete trials.

If it were my decision, I would ask for ABA and see how it goes. If you feel like it's not a good fit, you should still be able to get special ed services if she needs help.

Also, in terms of the play skills, they are looking at how they interact with someone who is not a caretaker. I thought my DS responded fine but then I realized his interactions with me were different than how he interacts with those who don't know him and that is what they are looking at.

Message edited 6/1/2015 12:43:01 PM.

Re: Mild autism

DS was diagnosed at age 2, undiagnosed at age 4, diagnosed again at age 7. Bottom line is that it is a spectrum diagnosis and it presents itself so differently. One one hand it hits me smack in the face when the doctors talk about it with me but then most of my time I ignore the diagnosis and treat the child. ABA wasn't for my son. He didn't need rote trials because his ability to learn was really good. I don't think it is for every child on the spectrum, particularly the higher functioning ones.

He is almost 8 now, has always been in an inclusion class, mainstreamed academics, still gets OT,PT,Speech and has a f/t aide. The diagnosis only helps us at this point with services and for my insurance company to cover private speech (social skills groups). Social is really his biggest issue right now.