Testing daughter for Autism
Discussion
Took my daughter to the Doctor yesterday for a check up on a long term health issue (hypermobility - constantly painful joints), and out of the blue they have signed her up to have a test for Autism. They didn't really explain why, just said they would "start the ball rolling" and we would get a letter in a few weeks with forms and information about it all.
I've no idea what the test is, or what the ramifications are if she is confirmed as autistic. Or, to some extent, what the point is of being labelled with a tag for Autism when she is clearly a capable and functioning person. She's halfway through her A-levels, and hoping to go to university next year to study mechanical engineering, so would being labelled as autistic cause issues with that? Will it cause issues with future employment (as in, firms not wanting to take on someone with an 'issue'), is it something she would have to declare to prospective employers in the first place?
Anyone know about the test? What happens?
I've no idea what the test is, or what the ramifications are if she is confirmed as autistic. Or, to some extent, what the point is of being labelled with a tag for Autism when she is clearly a capable and functioning person. She's halfway through her A-levels, and hoping to go to university next year to study mechanical engineering, so would being labelled as autistic cause issues with that? Will it cause issues with future employment (as in, firms not wanting to take on someone with an 'issue'), is it something she would have to declare to prospective employers in the first place?
Anyone know about the test? What happens?
My son is the same age as your daughter and he was diagnosed last year. H's also very highly functioning and if you met him, you would have no idea he is on the spectrum. He just has some traits.
The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
welshjon81 said:
My son is the same age as your daughter and he was diagnosed last year. H's also very highly functioning and if you met him, you would have no idea he is on the spectrum. He just has some traits.
The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
Thanks for that. She's studying Maths, Further Maths and Physics, predicted to get A*, A, A* so i guess she's pretty high functioning. Didn't really think about "traits" before, but with hindsight I guess there are a few. The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
I'll see about getting her using some CAD practice. I used to use AutoCAD back about 20 years ago, but haven't touched it since, so I doubt i'll be much help!
Autism can come across in many different forms, since I have been looking into it I have realised parents often dont see it because they also have it.
Wifes 14 year old is very autistic, 99% of people can see it, his dad however doesnt because his actions are "normal" for his dad as well.
We had him assessed last year, he had to go for a number of assesments, some of which were him being asked to complete tasks, one of them was he was given a load of building blocks in 2 colours and asked to build a tower (I think I wasn't actually there) the first thing he did was sort them into 2 piles based on their colour which is very common apparently for autistic people, got to admit I would probably sort them like that just to see if there was an even number of blocks.
Interesting both posters above the kids are doing engineering, wifes son is about to start year 10 at Silverstone UTC doing engineering as well.
Wifes 14 year old is very autistic, 99% of people can see it, his dad however doesnt because his actions are "normal" for his dad as well.
We had him assessed last year, he had to go for a number of assesments, some of which were him being asked to complete tasks, one of them was he was given a load of building blocks in 2 colours and asked to build a tower (I think I wasn't actually there) the first thing he did was sort them into 2 piles based on their colour which is very common apparently for autistic people, got to admit I would probably sort them like that just to see if there was an even number of blocks.
Interesting both posters above the kids are doing engineering, wifes son is about to start year 10 at Silverstone UTC doing engineering as well.
Edited by the-norseman on Friday 7th August 09:58
boyse7en said:
welshjon81 said:
I'll see about getting her using some CAD practice. I used to use AutoCAD back about 20 years ago, but haven't touched it since, so I doubt i'll be much help!
I think Drafsight is free for education purpose's and is great to learn the 2D side of things. That and YouTube is your friend.welshjon81 said:
boyse7en said:
welshjon81 said:
I'll see about getting her using some CAD practice. I used to use AutoCAD back about 20 years ago, but haven't touched it since, so I doubt i'll be much help!
I think Drafsight is free for education purpose's and is great to learn the 2D side of things. That and YouTube is your friend.https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/perso...
boyse7en said:
She's studying Maths, Further Maths and Physics, predicted to get A*, A, A*...
I chuckled when I read this. In my career, I've observed a correlation between being good at maths, and being on the spectrum. It's also been the subject of some academic research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/...MadCaptainJack said:
boyse7en said:
She's studying Maths, Further Maths and Physics, predicted to get A*, A, A*...
I chuckled when I read this. In my career, I've observed a correlation between being good at maths, and being on the spectrum. It's also been the subject of some academic research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/...It shouldn't cause issues, and if anything it will help her find her way in a world that can be confusing. Autistic traits can be a benefit in a STEM Career and may be why she is drawn to it. It's worth remembering that despite what you may think, "Autism" is in reality a sliding scale and many people have traits yet appear to function normally in society (often called "masking" in the neuro-atypical world)
I don't have a diagnosis but 1 of my daughters does and if the other doesn't then the Pope is Jewish, so I am probably on the spectrum. I did Civil Engineering at Uni and work in project delivery. I wish I had a better understanding of it when I was your daughters age, it would have been helpful.
Edited to add, Engineers who can't draw should be given brooms and made the project accountant. She definitely needs to learn CAD (I would be surprised if the degree didn't include it but if it doesn't she needs to get certified privately) and also to be able to sketch by hand, with something like this this and just be grateful she's far too young to get high from the solvents in the Banda machine.
I don't have a diagnosis but 1 of my daughters does and if the other doesn't then the Pope is Jewish, so I am probably on the spectrum. I did Civil Engineering at Uni and work in project delivery. I wish I had a better understanding of it when I was your daughters age, it would have been helpful.
Edited to add, Engineers who can't draw should be given brooms and made the project accountant. She definitely needs to learn CAD (I would be surprised if the degree didn't include it but if it doesn't she needs to get certified privately) and also to be able to sketch by hand, with something like this this and just be grateful she's far too young to get high from the solvents in the Banda machine.
Edited by Collectingbrass on Friday 7th August 10:54
MadCaptainJack said:
I chuckled when I read this. In my career, I've observed a correlation between being good at maths, and being on the spectrum. It's also been the subject of some academic research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/...
I haven't properly read that link, but is it better summarised as those with ASD are good at maths, and not that those that are good at maths have ASD? I have one boy that is at uni struggling with his combined Maths and Computer science degree, he's shown some autistic traits since puberty but not to the extent that we'd wanted to get him assessed. He got excellent GCSE and A level grades but seems to have found his ceiling at uni after the first year, he's been diagnosed with ADHD while away and as a result is getting extra time to complete projects and some leniency on exams but still is having to resit chunks of work.
I think that at least being aware that your may be autistic can help you understand yourself a bit better. We also happen to be going through a time where the kids love a label and ADHD is very popular! Be aware that neurodivergence may be hereditary
I have my suspicions that my daughter is also autistic but she masks it well and it's easy to confuse typical traits with just an individual's character rather than pathologise everything.
I think that at least being aware that your may be autistic can help you understand yourself a bit better. We also happen to be going through a time where the kids love a label and ADHD is very popular! Be aware that neurodivergence may be hereditary
I have my suspicions that my daughter is also autistic but she masks it well and it's easy to confuse typical traits with just an individual's character rather than pathologise everything.I work in Engineering. The majority of people I work with are on the spectrum. I see it as a positive!
Getting a diagnosis of autism may have offered her some help earlier in her education. If she's happy now I'm not sure what you get out if it. But also, it won't harm her either in my opinion.
I also have an autistic child in the house with hypermobility. I understand there is a big correlation between the two.
Getting a diagnosis of autism may have offered her some help earlier in her education. If she's happy now I'm not sure what you get out if it. But also, it won't harm her either in my opinion.
I also have an autistic child in the house with hypermobility. I understand there is a big correlation between the two.
My daughter was diagnosed as autistic and possibly ADHD last year.
It was the opposite way round to your daughter OP, in that the doctor suggested she be checked for hypermobility whilst she was in there being tested for ASD/ADHD. Sure enough she had hypermobility as well.
She's a really talented artist, very good at science, maths, computing etc. Very into history. Slightly eccentric inventor/historian type. However, being a girl she was exceptionally good at masking so you wouldn't probably have known.
For her I think having a diagnosis has helped, because it's taken the pressure off some of the things she struggled with. She was getting upset about certain social situations, getting very tired after being in group settings (therefore masking) for extended periods etc.
It was the opposite way round to your daughter OP, in that the doctor suggested she be checked for hypermobility whilst she was in there being tested for ASD/ADHD. Sure enough she had hypermobility as well.
She's a really talented artist, very good at science, maths, computing etc. Very into history. Slightly eccentric inventor/historian type. However, being a girl she was exceptionally good at masking so you wouldn't probably have known.
For her I think having a diagnosis has helped, because it's taken the pressure off some of the things she struggled with. She was getting upset about certain social situations, getting very tired after being in group settings (therefore masking) for extended periods etc.
boyse7en said:
She's halfway through her A-levels, and hoping to go to university next year to study mechanical engineering, so would being labelled as autistic cause issues with that? Will it cause issues with future employment (as in, firms not wanting to take on someone with an 'issue'), is it something she would have to declare to prospective employers in the first place?
Anyone know about the test? What happens?
I very much doubt it would impact going to Uni. If anything it would be good to know before she goes as they will likely accommodate any issues she has from it (if any).Anyone know about the test? What happens?
I would say the same with employment. They can't ask, and she doesn't need to declare it to an employer. Some employers actually advertise that they are autism friendly.
My daughters boyfriend is autistic and has a masters degree (they met at uni), and he now works for the probation service who advertise being autism friendly. Thats not why he applied to them, it was just a coincidence.
Given she is being tested this late it sounds like she would be fairly low on the spectrum, and she has good grades so I really can't see how its going to affect her.
I spent the last 20 years of my career in IT and suspect I've worked with many undiagnosed autistic people. Being odd and working in STEM fields is hardly new
boyse7en said:
welshjon81 said:
I'll see about getting her using some CAD practice. I used to use AutoCAD back about 20 years ago, but haven't touched it since, so I doubt i'll be much help!
I think Drafsight is free for education purpose's and is great to learn the 2D side of things. That and YouTube is your friend.T_S_M said:
boyse7en said:
welshjon81 said:
I'll see about getting her using some CAD practice. I used to use AutoCAD back about 20 years ago, but haven't touched it since, so I doubt i'll be much help!
I think Drafsight is free for education purpose's and is great to learn the 2D side of things. That and YouTube is your friend.welshjon81 said:
My son is the same age as your daughter and he was diagnosed last year. H's also very highly functioning and if you met him, you would have no idea he is on the spectrum. He just has some traits.
The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
How the blazes do they do mech eng degrees without basic CAD familiarity? Even if they do not use it they will likely need to view models and drawings others have drawn and understand them and how they affect manufacture, maintenance etc. The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
hidetheelephants said:
welshjon81 said:
My son is the same age as your daughter and he was diagnosed last year. H's also very highly functioning and if you met him, you would have no idea he is on the spectrum. He just has some traits.
The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
How the blazes do they do mech eng degrees without basic CAD familiarity? Even if they do not use it they will likely need to view models and drawings others have drawn and understand them and how they affect manufacture, maintenance etc. The "tests" are just interviews/questions and form filling. Not so sure about future employment but I doubt it would make a difference, half of the the kids these days have some sort of label! The only advantage I can see from being diagnosed is it helps us understand some of his reasoning and actions and I would suggest its an advantage in education as they get a bit more financial help with free laptops etc. (At last they do in Wales) and also I think they can get a bit more time with exams.
On a side note, I'm a Mechanical/Design Engineer with 20 years experience. Tell your daughter to learn how to use 2D & 3D CAD (Solidworks/Inventor). The amount of graduates coming through who can't use CAD but have an Eng. degree is worrying. Most Eng. roles require you to use CAD and I've dismissed lots of people during interview for not being able to use it.
FoolsErrand said:
MadCaptainJack said:
I chuckled when I read this. In my career, I've observed a correlation between being good at maths, and being on the spectrum. It's also been the subject of some academic research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/...
I haven't properly read that link, but is it better summarised as those with ASD are good at maths, and not that those that are good at maths have ASD? Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff