An anonymous parent writes: I have a (likely) gifted just past three year old who also shows many key markers for Autism. I am well aware of the current push to medicalise and diagnose things. He has excitabilities (possibly SPD), some gaps in social skills, excessively perceptive etc - hes classic gifted (well beyond the intellectual measurable developments already). I am aware that hes unlikely to be autistic, but he looks and quacks like a duck and the state child development centre is working with me to go down the path of a formal diagnosis (they are the most impartial and experienced team in my state). In their words We dont know what this is but it is something very complex, its very atypical if it is autism but there are key markers there so lets do the formal assessment and see what happens. (They being the ped. psych and speechie) My question revolves around this. If he is diagnosed as Autistic we arent compelled to tell anyone, but it does get us access to significant funding ($12,000 over two years for early intervention programs, equipment etc), in a state that provides zero funding for gifted kids. He *does* have some social gaps that I need help with (which is why Im there), but I dont think hes autistic - I just think hes a logically wired little engineer. Is it completely wrong of me to work through this and grab this funding (and access to exclusive programs that are tailored especially for the gaps he has which I cannot access otherwise) knowing this? What would you do? Im in Australia if that makes a difference.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 00:13:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015