Social Struggles Can Point to Autism
A mom contacted me because she was concerned about her adolescent son and wrote, “I wish he could understand social issues so he could respond appropriately. Sometimes I think people take advantage of him.” She wanted to know if his social issues could be related to autism or something else.
Autism is a Social Disorder
It’s understandable for you to wonder about autism when you see your child struggling with social understanding. This mom recognized this was one sign and that further exploration might be helpful. Social difficulties can come from many different causes such as autism, ADHD, social anxiety disorder, language delays, or personality traits such as being an introvert. Thus, social difficulty does not automatically point to autism, but it can be one piece of the puzzle.
Evaluating for Autism and Other Social Concerns
You may want to consider an evaluation if three or more autism-related traits are present, such as difficulty reading body language, voice tone, or unspoken rules, very literal thinking, challenges with back-and-forth conversation, trouble making or keeping friends, sensory sensitivities, rigid routines, a strong discomfort with changes, or unusual social communication skills.
If the concern about social vulnerability is part of a larger pattern, an assessment may be appropriate. Our evaluations help provide you with answers and clarity. Testing helps answer questions such as: “What exactly is he struggling with? How can we support him best? Are there services or strategies that could make life easier for him?” Parents often find relief in having clear guidance, whether or not an autism diagnosis is given.
Wonder About Autism?
Contact us if you wonder about autism and feel your child is consistently misunderstood socially, easily manipulated or taken advantage of, unsure how to set boundaries, or confused by peers’ behavior. Our school neuropsychological testing will help give answers and guide you toward meaningful next steps.
Call (561) 625 4125 if you would like to discuss your child and your concerns for possible autism, social difficulty, learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, or anxiety.