Have any of your kidos been diagnosed with Autism spectrum issues along with their SPD? I know that MANY of the issues are shared. We are just wondering. Blessings!

I'm sort of ducking for the tomatoes to be thrown here but our Developmental Pedi says SPD should be on the Autism Spectrum and she considers uses similar treatments for both (according to the child's needs of course). In the reading I've done and observing my own child, I have to say I agree with her, there is so much overlap in the symptoms, the lines are very blurry. I really think some day they will discover that ADD, SPD, Asperger's and ASD's all have the same cause.

Huh... interesting, but from my research, I would have to agree as well. Just asking. Thanks!

I wonder who we might turn to as the foremost authority on this subject? I wonder how many experts agree or disagree that SPD and Autism are the same? And I wonder why and on what criterion they agree or disagree. Is it the more an "expert" knows about the two disorders that make him/her more inclined to agree or disagree that they are one and the same? Or the less an "expert" knows, like an unspecialized bug observer lumping spiders under the catagory of "insect", when they are technically "arachnids"? Or is it a perspective derived from the vantage point of their own particular specialty?

I know many autistic people, most of them have the same sensory defensive patterns that I have, to greater or lesser degrees. But they have a relationship component that I do not have. They appear to have a disconnect in empathetic reaction, an inability to read social norms and a different way of communicating. That is absolutely not part of my experience. I am painfully empathetic. I am a fascinated observer of social norms, although I do not always agree with them or choose to follow them (does that make me autistic?). And as for communication...well, I'll let you be the judge.

It's possible that SPD and Autism share a common genetic basis and that there are variables (in other genes or in the environment) that determine which components get turned on in which individuals.

If they are officially declaired, in the end, to be the same. Would a person like me merit inclusion in the autistic diagnosis even though I lack that huge relationship/communication component? Or would that lack be enough to deny me a diagnosis and therefore deny me treatment coverage by my insurance?

If they are declaired to be one and the same, I forsee a problem for me, personally. I tell people who need to know, "I'm autistic." And they raise an eyebrow. And maybe say, "well not very." And my symptoms and needs are discounted just as they have always been. And that would SUCK.

But I, personally, am not an expert. There is so much about this I don't know, I don't even know what I don't know. AND I beleive in reading lots of information, and talking to lots of different sources and forming my own judgement on a large pool of information.

(I hope my long monologue doesn't fall under the catagory of "tomato"

I understand your concern and the potential for confusing and I'm sure others share it. IMO the ideal in changing the classification would be we would spend less time figuring out what exactly to label someone's symptoms with (ADHD, SPD, Asperger's ect) and more time combining the wisdom of treatment strategies intended to help. For example in our research to help our daughter it took us quite some time to connect the dots and figure out that some supplements that help children with Autism would also help her, there was even the awkwardness of getting the information, i.e. we shouldn't be reading or talking about Autism when I daughter has a dx of SPD and clearly does not have some of the defining characteristic of Autism. The social component is a significant difference of course, although I think sometimes people with SPD have a social component too when they find a group of people (or even one intense person) too overstimulating.

I don't necessarily think they are all on the exactly the same field, since the lines do blur, but it takes a certain accumulation to make up autism. Personally, I was diagnosed with ADHD very early in life, and then a few years ago told I also have AS. Many of us on the spectrum suffer from sensory and attentional issues because those are large parts of autism. So, many with autism could also be diagnosed with other things as well.

I do agree that all in all, the specifics are rather unimportant. What is important is understanding your kid's problems and coming up with strategies for helping them. Too much time is spent dwelling on figuring out the exact condition, when more time should be sent helping them. It saddens me to know that things haven't changed much since I was a kid and that doctors still over prescribe medications kids don't really need.

LaneSensorina: even though a "lack of empathy" is considered to be a diagnostic component of ASDs, it's actually been determined by the autism community itself that it isn't that simple. Some time ago, when I was more active on Psych Forums, this very question came up and most, if not everyone, said we do have empathy. In fact, it seems as though a lot of us have too much empathy. The problem is, we have a hard time expressing it. We feel it, we just don't know what to do about it. I always get really uncomfortable when people are upset around me. I don't like they are upset, I want to help them, I may even feel really bad for them... I just often don't know what to do/say and I can see how that can come off seeming like I have little or no empathy.

Edit: oh, seems as though I am now one post away from being a Regular. :O Most go find something to answer!

I am not Autistic at all. I have been tested for Autism and didn't show up anywhere on the spectrum.

I am empathic, friendly, and have no problems in social settings unless my sensory triggers get set off.

I think it is more that SPD is something that affects those with Neurological, Muscular, or Skeletal oddities. That any stressors on the human system can change how the brain interprets sensory input. I know a lot of people whose sensory problems appeared after a major illness or injury as well as people born with SPD.

We are each entirely unique individuals. I find the variation in which SPD manifests itself in each of us fascinating.

Thanks Quasar, for info on empathy.

I agree. The important thing is that we get the help we need.

I have been undertreated, overtreated, misdiagnosed and shamed by the traditional-medicine community. It is rare that I find anyone I can even begin to trust. I fantasize about simple, affordable access to sympathetic experts regarding SPD.

My older son was evaluated for autism before we had the SPD diagnosis, but he didn't fit enough of the criteria. He's in a social skills group with a boy who is PDD-NOS and I can see the similarities and differences between the two boys. It wouldn't take much for me to agree that they are under the same umbrella, on the spectrum.

I am overly empathetic (as I have written under another thread), even with TV or movie characters. Sometimes I can't watch certain shows, like The Office, because I get uncomfortable and embarrassed for the characters. I see it in my younger son too. I'm not sure about my older son yet, it's hard to tell. I've been told often that I seem calm but I think that's because I don't show a lot of outward emotions, happy, sad, mad, or any.

I thought this might be of interest RE Autism and Empathy. http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/...pathy.html