AboutJames Michael Roan Expertise Expertise: Expertise: I can provide information on autism and Asperger`s syndrome. I cannot and will not attempt to diagnose at any time. I can answer general questions related to assessment and educational planning.
Experience I have specialized in the area of autism for nearly 9 years.
Education/Credentials M.Ed. School Psychology
M.Ed Adult Education
Past/Present Clients Children aged 2-18 diagnosed with autism, Pdd-NOS, and Asperger's Disorder.
Question QUESTION: My 10 year old son was diagnosed PDD-NOS two years ago. At the time the report noted his symptoms were very mild. I wonder if he even belongs on the spectrum since he is so high functioning.
He has a high IQ and is very knowledgeable. He does like to read up on facts such as world records but his interests change and he will shift to new topics. He does not research about things or gadgets and prefers broad topics like birds, cats, countries, trees etc. He will engage in imaginary activities with his little brother even though this is not something he is into. He has a wonderful sense of humor and understands irony and sarcasm. He reads facial expressions well. He loves animals and nature and has a lot of compassion.
He reaches out to his peers and requests play dates but he does seem to have difficulty sustaining long conversations. He does not like a crowd and prefers to interact with kids one-on-one and he will not compete for another child's attention when a lot of kids are around. He likes to be a part of playground games like tag.
At school he can zone out unless he likes the topic. He sometimes struggles with creative writing but can also produce very well written work so his performance in this area is inconsistent. He has moved to a smaller school with a smaller class and is able to focus much better as there is less noise and distraction although he is still not a motivated child. His mild sensory seeking behaviours (like wringing his hands) have also reduced since he has been in the smaller environment. I wonder if his issues could be more anxiety related than spectrum related as there has been a marked improvement since he switched schools.
ANSWER: Hi Janet;
Please keep in mind that at no time am I diagnosing anything nor am I ruling out any potential condition, just providing guidance and direction.
Autism is a spectrum disorder and I have seen many cases of very high functioning autism/PDD-NOS/Asperger's syndrome (AS). Some of these individuals are so high functioning that the question becomes: "Are they really on the autism spectrum, or are they typically developing individuals with mild social anxiety (shy), some attention problems, and who have a few quirks?" It sounds like your son may fit there in the fuzzy boundary between typical development but with low social skills and very high functioning autism. If he has no real social and emotional problems, then you should discard the label of PDD-NOS. The strongest predictor of adjustment in autism is IQ.
Kind regards,
James
Disclaimer:
While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find our resources useful.
Bio
James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.
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QUESTION: Thank you very much for your prompt reply. Please explain your last sentence in more detail. How would a new IQ test affect the original diagnosis?
ANSWER: Hi Janet;
I was not suggesting a new IQ, only making a statement that an individual's IQ is the best predictor of adjustment. The higher the IQ (to a point), the better the adjustment or "normalization." I don't like the word "normalization," but I am referring that through adjustment, the child looks more typical and fits in better with their peers.
Kind regards,
James
Disclaimer:
While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find our resources useful.
Bio
James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: In your experience, have you found any PDD-NOS children to have a very well developed sense of humor and to be insightful and concerned about the feelings of others?
Answer Hi Janet;
I have met many who have a good sense of humor, especially physical humor and not "inside jokes" or subtle/dry humor. I have met many AS children who are concerned about the feelings of others, but have some trouble reading emotions when around more than one child. None of the hundreds of children I have met are the same. The single deciding factor is how they function in a group of peers.
Kind regards,
James
Disclaimer:
While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find our resources useful.
Bio
James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.
