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  • #4C3 Last of CAMs Cont. 6. - 12.
  • #5 Know Your Child: INTRODUCTION
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  • #5E Know Your Child: LAW & AUTISM
  • GALLERY SLIDESHOW
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    • AMAZING ADVENTURES Extended Book Reviews
    • DIAGNOSIS, DOCTORS, & DENIAL Extended Book Reviews
    • SAVVY SOLUTIONS Extended Book Reviews
    • SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS Extended Book Reviews
  • *WHAT TO DO while you wait. 1-5
    • #1 What to do While You Wait, Checklists & Red Flags
    • #2 What to do While You Wait: Diagnosis, Denial & Doctors
    • #3 What to do While You Wait: Try New Things
    • #4 What to do While You Wait: Programs, Therapies, & Interventions
    • #5 What to do While You Wait: Know Your Child
  • ExtendedBookReviews~
  • Rules for David
  • A Friend Like Henry & All Because of Henry
  • No You Don't
  • Twirling Naked
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  • What Color is Monday?
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  • Ido in Autismland
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  • The Horse Boy
  • Building in Circles
  • Autism Goes to School
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  • Seeing Ezra: A Mother's Story
  • Autism: Turning on the Light
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Is It Autism, Or Is It NVLD? With < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

5/1/2022

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The DSM-5 (2013) American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition), states the following criteria as, along with other criteria on the checklist, a sign of Autism. Criteria especially deficits in language & back-&-forth conversation; plus, highly restricted, fixed interests and/or focus of abnormal intensity. These symptoms of autism are present in developmental period, but may not manifest until social demands exceed the child’s capacities.
 
Staff Writers (2022) say that children with Autism have persistent difficulties, beginning in the developmental period. Problems with the social use of verbal & nonverbal communication which are not better explained by another reason, such as having Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD). A child with Autism, depending on the Level of Severity, has difficulty with age-appropriate spoken language. While the child with NVLD, has a wide vocabulary & strong language skills.

< My Thoughts >             “‘Level of Severity’…”

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 – The individual ‘Requires Support’ for daily functions. This is the mildest form of autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 2 – The individual ‘Requires Substantial Support’ for daily functions. Due to narrow interests combined with purposeless repetitive behaviors.

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 3 – The individual ‘Requires Very Substantial Support’ for daily functions. Like Levels 1 & 2, but to an extreme degree.  Staff writers (2022)

Authors go on to say that another possible comparison is that of ‘visual-spatial’ processing. Both may experience this in ways which make them seem disoriented, clumsy, or focused on one detail, instead of the ‘big picture’.
​
A child with ‘repetitive behavior’ as a possible tool for self-calming can include repeating phrases or pacing back & forth. 
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< My Thoughts >             “…‘visual-spatial’ processing & …‘repetitive behavior’…”

‘Visual-spatial’ processing requires organizing visual information into meaningful patterns, plus understanding how these patterns operate/function. Such as the mathematic rules of operation & processing; or, the ability to see the 3-diamensional aspects of objects during observation.

A child with ‘repetitive behavior’ may repeat phrases from TV commercials, their favorite movie characters’ dialog, or something they’ve heard in a song. Our non-verbal son usually responds laughingly to my demands when prefaced by Buzz Lightyear’s phrase – “I have a laser, & I will use it!”

According to the Staff Writers (2022) poor spatial skills, paired with good language skills, are the essential features required in the diagnosis of Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD). But, this is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until noticed by teachers when the student is having difficulty with grade-level school performance. Students may then be referred to additional professionals for observation & testing. This would be necessary to determine if the child has Autism or a ​Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD).

REFERENCES:

DSM-5 (2013). American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition).

Staff Writers (2022). Retrieved online from – https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-three-levels-of-autism-260233.
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    Author

         Just to let you know that I, Sara Luker, have put forth my best efforts in presenting what I have learned over my 30 years with autism, Sharing Extended Book Reviews of  stories about those who have gone before us.      
         Understand that all health matters ALWAYS require medical decisions/diagnosis/treatment by highly qualified and licensed individuals. See website DISCLAIMER.

         Here you will find excerpts containing a combination of selections, synopses, general information prose, quotes and references to peer-reviewed articles.

         Plus < My Thoughts >, which are my responses to the material; as a state certified educator with a 2013 Master’s Degree in Special Education, and over 30 years as Sonny’s mom.

         The BLOGs on this site are meant to be insightful and timely. Comments and Responses are welcomed.

         The offered DOWNLOAD material is organized in UNITs and Chapters. The autism information comes from –

    *Peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, informational     and educational-writer articles.

    *Prose, which explains the currently circulating general public knowledge.

    *Personal, < My Thoughts > which are ‘educated   guesses’ about what it all means.

    *Poignant synopses of published parent stories.

    *Pages filled with decisions, denial, cited references, definitions, appendices, and more.

     Hearing the words “this child has autism,” parents are often shell-shocked.

         Then, in the face of so many more questions racing through their minds, the doctor says, “Just go online and read everything you can about autism.”

         
    Yes, disturbingly this kind of professional advice is given to many of our families.

    ​  If you are one of those families, or clinicians, I hope this material will give you a good start.
     


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