Educational vs. Medical Autism

[IEP123]

My child has an ADHD diagnosis, but does not hold a medical autism diagnosis, despite displaying a lot of characteristics of a child on the spectrum, most of which are worsened during the school day.

 

I know it's common for a child to receive a medical autism diagnosis and not qualify educationally, but is the reverse also possible? Can I ask for him to be evaluated for educational autism, even though he doesn't have medical autism per a recent neuropsych? Or maybe the neuropsych got it wrong...

[EmilyM]

1 hour ago, IEP123 said:

My child has an ADHD diagnosis, but does not hold a medical autism diagnosis, despite displaying a lot of characteristics of a child on the spectrum, most of which are worsened during the school day.

 

I know it's common for a child to receive a medical autism diagnosis and not qualify educationally, but is the reverse also possible? Can I ask for him to be evaluated for educational autism, even though he doesn't have medical autism per a recent neuropsych? Or maybe the neuropsych got it wrong...

I'm not familiar with educational autism, but I don't believe schools can evaluate to the point of a diagnosis.

[IEP123]

27 minutes ago, EmilyM said:

I'm not familiar with educational autism, but I don't believe schools can evaluate to the point of a diagnosis.

Thanks! To be clear, I don't want a diagnosis, I want to know if he can qualify for educational autism aka meet criteria for eligibility for special education under the ASD category 

[D.W.]

1 hour ago, IEP123 said:

My child has an ADHD diagnosis, but does not hold a medical autism diagnosis, despite displaying a lot of characteristics of a child on the spectrum, most of which are worsened during the school day.

 

I know it's common for a child to receive a medical autism diagnosis and not qualify educationally, but is the reverse also possible? Can I ask for him to be evaluated for educational autism, even though he doesn't have medical autism per a recent neuropsych? Or maybe the neuropsych got it wrong...

Honestly Overlap is usually the "rule" not the exception. From what I can see in most Neurodivergent advocacy groups identification is almost more important than a diagnosis. As long as your child gets the support needed I think that's the best goal to have.

[EmilyM]

1 hour ago, IEP123 said:

Thanks! To be clear, I don't want a diagnosis, I want to know if he can qualify for educational autism aka meet criteria for eligibility for special education under the ASD category 

Ah, that makes far more sense. In that case, that seems likely if the focus is a academic need.

[Angela Tyszka]

I have heard of children qualifying for services under the Autism eligibility category despite not having a medical diagnosis of Autism. Many times it's because it can take a year or more to get evaluated by a medical professional in some areas. In my experience, I truly want the child on paper to reflect the child that is standing in front of me. However, at the end of the day, if a "label" is the only thing keeping them from getting the service and supports that they need, any eligibility category is better than none. Services, goals, placement, etc. are supposed to be based on needs of the child and not eligibility category or diagnosis.