Research indicating diagnosis of autism by brain scan

Hi,

I would absolutely love it ,so would my husband who thinks he is on the spectrum.

I think it would help to clarify exactly which parts have been affected and which development areas are going to be impacted.. I believe it would then lead to a much more effective and individualised development plan instead of assuming one thing would fit all people on the spectrum. 

Leanne - Community Champion

By the way, there is now a quick survey about this which you can find on the home page of this website, or by clicking the link below:

http://www.talkaboutautism.org.uk/poll/your-reaction-new-brain-scan-diagnose-autism

Hello all,

It seems the media are slightly exaggerating as usual!  The work thus far is very interesting, yet it is based solely on adult males from what I have heard - so they still have a long way to go with the research.

Jenny - I think the method would become a diagnostic tool rather than taking over.  It would not be any quicker, it would still have a subjective and interpretive element (although that is not a bad thing), and certainly would not be cheaper.  It would however potentially put people under stress though - you have to be quite still for a long time and sometimes young people are sedated in order to go through the process (which raises ethical concerns).  I don't think that there are many actual 'behavioural experts' that really exist (perhaps Derron Brown - lol!) - anyway, you will never lose the doctor from the diagnosis for something like this.

It certainly should not be routine (for the above ethical concerns) - I think it will yield interesting findings as research though and may help as a diagnostic aid in future.

Leanne's point is an interesting one - although one would only get a generalised idea to make a plan with - although some idea could be said to be better than no idea - one would have to careful not to impose one-size-fits-all models to sub-categories etc.

On Monday I am going up to London for some 'Cognitive tests' - I am still waiting for the call for a brain scan - although I expect there is a long waiting list - I think it would be personally interesting at least (and I can volunteer for the research etc. - i.e. not routine, although routinely offered).

Damian - Community Champion

Just came across this article on The Guardian:

Autism diagnosis is only the first step

The study showing autism may be diagnosed with a brain scan is good news – but support and services are needed too

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/12/autism-breakthrough-only-first-step