Autism Spectrum Disorder: Still going through trials and tribulations
Diagnosing and evaluating Autistic Spectrum Disorder especially very early in a child’s life can be a confusing and daunting process for a clinician and as confusing and daunting to the parent/s too. In spite of several guidelines and innovative tools it appears that we still have a long way to go to fully get our heads round this fast growing malady and to get to grips with its onslaught that continues to devastate families and societies the world over, recently in epidemic proportions. Early diagnosis so as to facilitate early intervention is perhaps easier said than done. It is heart breaking each time we hear a mother saying, “he was so easy as an infant to look-after, so undemanding but now…”. Or to hear, “He was so lovely till he turned three, and then…”. Or, “he was so curious. He used to speak, but now he seems to have gone backwards after he had his….”. (I am sure one can guess and forgive my attempt at political correctness). And all this, in spite of regular and religious visits and encounters with healthcare professionals. We do of course rejoice though at glimmers of hope through the valiant efforts of highly engaged parent/s and the compassionate efforts of determined carers, but they seem to be few and far between.
‘Autism Spectrum Disorder: Advances in Diagnosis and Evaluation’ (BMJ 2018;361:k1674) provides a comprehensive review of the subject collating information from diverse English language sources for which the efforts of the authors are to be complemented. The article may certainly be of good value to many clinicians in training and those revising for higher examinations and perhaps some determined parents. The article does a good job of stating a problem at hand and elaborating on past and present struggles with the solutions. But, as a front end foot soldier, was I any wiser? Did I gain new insights? Did I become aware of newer strategies? Was I empowered to try something different? Was I equipped with new ammunition? Well, I would not go so far as John Stone (Rapid response 21 May 2018) as to say that it was a case of fiddling as Rome burnt, but I find that Rome is still a city of bricks and alas, miles to go before I can leave it a city of marble (with apologies to Augustus 27 bce – 14 ce).
Rapid Response:
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Still going through trials and tribulations
Diagnosing and evaluating Autistic Spectrum Disorder especially very early in a child’s life can be a confusing and daunting process for a clinician and as confusing and daunting to the parent/s too. In spite of several guidelines and innovative tools it appears that we still have a long way to go to fully get our heads round this fast growing malady and to get to grips with its onslaught that continues to devastate families and societies the world over, recently in epidemic proportions. Early diagnosis so as to facilitate early intervention is perhaps easier said than done. It is heart breaking each time we hear a mother saying, “he was so easy as an infant to look-after, so undemanding but now…”. Or to hear, “He was so lovely till he turned three, and then…”. Or, “he was so curious. He used to speak, but now he seems to have gone backwards after he had his….”. (I am sure one can guess and forgive my attempt at political correctness). And all this, in spite of regular and religious visits and encounters with healthcare professionals. We do of course rejoice though at glimmers of hope through the valiant efforts of highly engaged parent/s and the compassionate efforts of determined carers, but they seem to be few and far between.
‘Autism Spectrum Disorder: Advances in Diagnosis and Evaluation’ (BMJ 2018;361:k1674) provides a comprehensive review of the subject collating information from diverse English language sources for which the efforts of the authors are to be complemented. The article may certainly be of good value to many clinicians in training and those revising for higher examinations and perhaps some determined parents. The article does a good job of stating a problem at hand and elaborating on past and present struggles with the solutions. But, as a front end foot soldier, was I any wiser? Did I gain new insights? Did I become aware of newer strategies? Was I empowered to try something different? Was I equipped with new ammunition? Well, I would not go so far as John Stone (Rapid response 21 May 2018) as to say that it was a case of fiddling as Rome burnt, but I find that Rome is still a city of bricks and alas, miles to go before I can leave it a city of marble (with apologies to Augustus 27 bce – 14 ce).
Competing interests: No competing interests