Reply to Loaded question: MERLD and autism

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Reply to "Loaded question: MERLD and autism "

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]MERLD is only relevant for the preschool age at this point mainly b/c speech delays b/f school age often resolve:  http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Preschool-Language-Disorders/

Past preschool age, children will be given a differential diagnosis according to the latest DSM V in which MERLD does not exist.  This could include a language disorder, communication disorder (autism is one, but there are others), and/or ADHD.[/quote]

[b]MERLD is still relevant for kids after preschool age [/b]as it can and often continues into elementary school if not life long.  Many kids learn to adapt and cope but the residual effects are still present.  It really doesn't matter if it is called a language disorder or MERLD but MERLD is a specific type of language disorder identifying concerns with both expressive and receptive language.  For most MERLD kids without other diagnosis, it is called a language disorder but it makes it difficult to say language disorder without identifying receptive and expressive language.  A language disorder could mean anything from receptive, expressive, both, apraxia, stuttering and many more.  Most parents find it easier to continue to call it MERLD regardless of the official diagnosis if their kids still struggle with receptive and expressive language.

Not all kids with language disorders have communication disorders (including autism) or ADHD/ADD or a learning disorder.  Some do, but many do not.  [/quote]

PP, kids can continue to have expressive and receptive language delays into elementary and beyond.  However, in the latest DSM V published in 2013, the characteristics of MERLD fall under different diagnoses.

I have two kids who were diagnosed with MERLD as preschoolers by developmental pediatricians.  Both have had full educational after age 6 and have received differential diagnoses, neither of which were autism.  So either people are living in ignorance that there age 6+ have MERLD or they don't want to do full educational testing b/c they are avoiding a diagnosis.[/quote]

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