[senco-forum] ASD diagnostic checklist URL

I'd like to offer yet another image of a child with autism (Aspergers or
High Functioning Autism).

Appears completely normal to the extent that teachers insist on ignoring all
the challenges this child deals with on a daily basis.  They insist on
responding 'as if' to a psychological issues and 'because' it must be the
parenting which is at fault (the child is 'spoilt', needs discipline, etc)

Autism is a neurological, medical issue and the basic issues cannot be
changed by punishment.  Why would you wish to punish a child for having a
poor memory or not understanding how to use a worksheet or not being able to
follow verbal instructions without some repitition.

The basic IQ can be in the gifted range but teachers will have difficulty
spotting it in a class of 30plus at secondary level when they only see the
kids a couple of times a week - and IQ tests are geared to 'normal'
processing abilities.

Everyone will be happy that the child stays in the 'average' range in terms
of success.  If the child reaches a level 5 by the end of year 7, he'll be
refused any help or support at all and have a nervous breakdown by the end
of year 8.  Goodbye mainstream education.

Another life ruined but who cares.  Teachers are just glad to get rid of
those nuisance parents who keep nagging for the child to get the little but
appropriate support he needed.

I'm sure it wouldn't happen in any of your schools - but new teachers, new
TAs, new Department Heads can undermine your work in a trice.

If you want something to help others understand, try Mike Stanton's slim
book on Learning to live with HFA, a parent's guide for professionals.  It's
the best 'real life' book I've ever read and will give you greater insight
than a checklist.

On 24/03/07, Chris Gravell <chris.gravell at green43.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Brendan wrote:
> >I'm not going to trivialise this by setting out the bald list -- but I do
> >suggest looking at this url link:
> >www.autism.pdd.net/checklist.html. The DSM-IV (American Psychological
> Ass.
> >1994) can be found there along with a description of the exhaustive way
> >diagnosis is carried out.
>
> That's
>
> <http://www.autism-pdd.net/checklist.html>
>
> Best wishes
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>