Aspergers vs RAD

[katiekat]

Monday is Sean's evaluation at the neurological and neurodevelopmental center. As I mentioned before the doctor is an expert on Autism and Autistic spectrum disorders so we are there to either rule out or confirm Aspergers.
His therapist definitely thinks that Aspergers is the correct DX but the psychiatrist leans more toward RAD and they both suggested the appt. with an expert in autism. (The therapist & the psych. work in the same practice and consult with each other)
I've know quite a few kids with Aspergers at work and I can definitely see that it is a possibility with Sean but when I read about RAD that seems to fit perfectly too. The therapists argument against RAD is that if he did have it he would not have the bond with me that he does and he would be very defiant as well. I have never known a child with RAD, but my friends son has it (he was in a Romanian orphanage for the first 8 years of his life) I never met him because he was put in a group home for his family's protection after he tried to stab his dad and burn the house down. Is there anyone who has ever known a child with this diagnosis? I'm just wondering if what the therapist says is accurate.

[carol]

I am sorry I do not know anyone, but I think what the therapist says makes sense. The early years are huge for a child. I think RAD would follow through throughout childhood whereas Sean seemed to have the capacity to bond with you. I do not know enough about it, but my prayers with be with you for your upcoming appt. Good Luck! I hope it gives you the answers your family needs and finally be able to give Sean the appropriate services.

[rakuflames]

Apr 19, 2008 9:17:36 GMT -5 carol said:

I am sorry I do not know anyone, but I think what the therapist says makes sense. The early years are huge for a child. I think RAD would follow through throughout childhood whereas Sean seemed to have the capacity to bond with you. I do not know enough about it, but my prayers with be with you for your upcoming appt. Good Luck! I hope it gives you the answers your family needs and finally be able to give Sean the appropriate services.

I am not an expert on RAD although I know a lot about Asperger's. I tend to agree with the therapist also. Many people think that a child with autism does not form attachments, but this is not true. They do, however, show it differently -- everything is filtered through and affected by the Asperger's.