Reply to Loaded question: MERLD and autism

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][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), [b]and/or [/b]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]

We have not done full testing.  It is not recommended for our child right now.  Our developmental ped did some basic testing (including IQ) and did not feel more was warranted.   Its not a good idea to keep testing kids over and over again.  Not all kids have academic or other issues.  You do a full evaluation to understand what is going on, but for some kids, the parents and professionals have a good handle on it, so it is not the best idea in less new issues crop up later.  You keep insisting how important it is, and it is important and a good idea for many but not all.  OP child is not 6.  If your kids have dual or multiple diagnosis and you need to better understand it, it makes sense.   You may have had a misdiagnosis of MERLD, but some of our kids actually have MERLD (or what ever you want to call it).

Also, the diagnosis are always ever changing.  That doesn't mean even if clinically it falls under different diagnosis, that its not an appropriate term for some of our kids.  By us just saying language disorder, you have no clue what is going on.  If I say more specific, then you'd understand better.   [/quote]

Yes, it's evident that you haven't had a full educational diagnosis.  The diagnoses aren't ever changing.  The DSM is updated every few years based on review of the clinical evidence.  DSM 4 was published in 2000.  DSM 5 published in 2013.

I didn't say that all kids with MERLD end up with academic or other issues--that's your interpretation probably b/c you had a child initially diagnosed with autism.  What I said was that a preschooler diagnosed with MERLD
--issues could resolve or [b]could[/b] include
--language disorder AND/OR
--communication disorder AND/OR
--ADHD

Could doesn't mean will.  An itemized list with commas ending with and/or in a sentence means these are possibilities.  There are others.

(So it's great if your young child shows no social or educational issues at the moment.  It would probably behoove you have a full educational evaluation b/f he finally leaves the tiny private that he currently attends, especially if he's transitioning to public.)[/quote]

My child is in public and thriving.  My child is not young and is educationally on target and ahead in some areas. If the school has no concerns, why would I get an educational evaluation?  You may not understand your child's needs without the support of an evaluation and its great you got your kid one but there would be no benefit for my child.  You do an evaluation to find out areas of concern.  Not all kids with language disorders, ADHD or ASD have academic issues.  You are pushing your agenda and I'm assuming your child needed one early on and you choose not to and feel guilty.[/quote]

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