We all recognize the advantages of early intervention services, but it’s crucial to understand how an early diagnosis can impact you and your child, especially regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If you have a co-parent who is hesitant to accept an ASD diagnosis, feel free to share this post with them!
I’m addressing this topic because a reader recently asked for my opinion on some social media claims regarding a supposed “cure” for Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to a couple in Sweden, their two-year-old was diagnosed with ASD and then subsequently “cured.” While I’m not a pediatric neuropsychologist, I believe I can weigh in, especially since this appears to be an isolated claim. My perspective is that this child likely presented characteristics consistent with an ASD diagnosis, but after various therapies and natural development, the original diagnosis may have been reconsidered.
It’s possible that this child is still facing some challenges that led to the initial ASD diagnosis and that not all symptoms simply vanished. This is just my personal experience as a mother who has been through a similar situation. My main takeaway is that an early ASD diagnosis can actually facilitate necessary changes – hence my strong recommendation to pursue an early diagnosis!
Can an ASD Diagnosis Be Incorrect or Change?
When we take a toddler or young child for evaluation, it often results from missed developmental milestones, communication delays, or other concerns that signal something may be off (often based on parental intuition). At the age of two, children cannot undergo a complete neuropsychological assessment, making it challenging to identify all underlying issues, even as they enter elementary school. Consequently, an ASD diagnosis during these early years is generally considered preliminary. Many medical professionals prefer to wait until a child is older to diagnose ASD.
Overall, we’re identifying patterns rather than making definitive diagnoses. For instance, a child with ASD may exhibit behavioral patterns that closely resemble those of another child facing different challenges, like ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Dyslexia, or Apraxia. These children may struggle with similar issues, necessitating comparable services. Common needs may include help with social interactions, speech articulation, focus, hyperactivity, reading delays, behavior management, impulse control, and following instructions. Adding factors like undiagnosed hearing or vision impairments that are often overlooked, inconsistent parental reporting, and variations in parenting styles complicates the situation further, making it difficult to pinpoint the root causes of a child’s behavior.
In some cases, only through reassessment at a later age can a final diagnosis be established. Therefore, it’s entirely possible for a two-year-old’s ASD diagnosis to change. I believe that the child in question likely experienced a misdiagnosis or that it was simply too early for a clear conclusion, rather than discovering a miraculous cure.
However, let’s explore why an early ASD diagnosis might change and why that’s significant. Even if a diagnosis turns out to be incorrect, I firmly believe that obtaining one is beneficial—perhaps even something to advocate for! (Just don’t tell the insurance company I said that!) This is a truth that many therapists and educators won’t openly discuss, which is something I wish someone had told me earlier.
Benefits of Early ASD Diagnosis (Even If It’s Wrong)
Most importantly, an ASD diagnosis activates essential services for your child. Children diagnosed with ASD are often provided with a significantly more intensive service program, which may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral support, and classroom aids. The level of services available can be dramatically different, depending on where you live, but in most cases, the disparities are substantial. Unfortunately, without an ASD diagnosis, school districts and insurance providers are typically less likely to offer comprehensive services.
If your goal is to secure the best and fastest services for your child, an ASD diagnosis is typically the most effective route. While it’s possible to pay for these services out of pocket, those with insurance often face limitations. For example, access to three hours of individual speech therapy per week versus only 30 minutes in a group setting can lead to significant differences in a child’s progress.
Many parents are unaware of how these disparities in services work. However, those who do understand often push for an ASD diagnosis to maximize their child’s access to necessary support. This situation underscores a socio-economic divide, where affluent families are more likely to secure ASD diagnoses and the comprehensive services that accompany them. But anyone can advocate for their child. I live in Los Angeles, where wealthy families ensure their children receive an ASD diagnosis in order to access better services. Opting out only shortchanges your child.
From my own experience, I hesitated to pursue an ASD diagnosis because it felt daunting. I wasn’t informed about the significant increase in services it would bring. I worried about the long-term implications of having this diagnosis on record—something that turned out to be more myth than reality. In retrospect, I realize that waiting for a more accurate diagnosis delayed crucial support for my son during a vital period. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the knowledge at the time.
For the record, my child isn’t diagnosed with ASD. It was considered early on due to his speech regression at one year old. We sought help from the Regional Center by 15 months, as the situation was unclear initially. He needed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and I initially resisted that as well because of its association with ASD. He has since been diagnosed with ADHD, SPD, and APD, stemming from significant speech delays. After experiencing a significant seizure at 11 months, he lost his speech entirely, only to start over from a babbling stage at 15-16 months. Even at 2.5 years, he struggled to use words effectively. The challenges he faced aligned with many of the characteristics of ASD in those early months. But after extensive therapy and resources, we’ve learned so much more along this journey!
I have a close friend whose twins were diagnosed with ASD at age two. They embraced the diagnosis and obtained intensive ABA, speech, and occupational therapy, along with one-on-one support in preschool. However, when they reached kindergarten, the school district challenged the ASD diagnosis. My friend was astonished and sought a private re-evaluation. The neuropsychologist confirmed that her children were diagnosed with ADHD and SPD. While they still face some sensory challenges, the early diagnosis of ASD allowed them to access a level of support they would never have received with just an ADHD and SPD diagnosis—literally less than one-tenth of the services they secured with the ASD label. It turns out, an ASD diagnosis has its advantages.
And what’s the worst-case scenario? Should they have ASD, they would have received valuable early services. There’s no downside to that—absolutely none.
Most psychologists diagnosing a two-year-old with ASD will advise reassessment at an older age, and some may not even diagnose that early. However, I believe that an early diagnosis is critical for families seeking comprehensive early intervention services. It can be more beneficial to be proactive rather than overly cautious about diagnoses (although this is, of course, debatable). Ultimately, all parents are searching for the necessary support and therapies to meet their child’s needs. I say call it whatever you want, just ensure my child gets the maximum help available. If the diagnosis changes later, fantastic! If it doesn’t, at least my child received the best assistance during a crucial time. There are no losers in that scenario!
Your child remains the same, regardless of labels or diagnoses. Having an ASD diagnosis enables you to access essential services; resisting it may leave your child underserved. Remember, these labels don’t alter your child’s reality—they only affect the level of support they receive.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! If you have a link to the story about the couple’s claim of a “cure,” please send it my way. I’m curious to explore it further, and I genuinely hope I’m mistaken and they found something groundbreaking!
The bottom line is simple: don’t shy away from the diagnosis. xoxo.
