Charlie is sitting in the corner of your room and refuses to look or speak to you. He has no interest in you or your room. Mum wants to know…is he just naughty or is this autism?
You have been referred Charlie, a 2yo boy, by his general practitioner who suspects that he has autism. He attends your room with his mother who feels helpless surrounding this potential “label” that is being considered for her son. She has a list of questions however her first one is “why is this happening to…
Since being first described by Dr Leo Kanner of John Hopkin’s University in 1943, the terminology used in the diagnosis and reference to autism spectrum disorder has changed multiple times making it confusing not only for families but also clinicians.
Unless you have been walking around with your eyes closed, you will have noticed fidget spinners are everywhere! If not in the hands of your little patients, then in the hands of their parents. But is the hype worth it? Whilst they are being marketed as the latest tool for helping those with ADHD and…
`I recently completed my first rotation as a doctor in the Emergency Department. Prior to entering the medical workforce, I had spent most of my employed life as a respite carer looking after and assisting children with developmental disabilities. I thought about these kids and how difficult an Emergency Department (ED) environment would be for…
As paediatricians we may not be required to diagnose autism, but we should be able to understand and recognise the main features. There are two main diagnostic areas under the new DSM V criteria A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities For a diagnosis…
