Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, flat affect at 11. Previous Merld diagnosis, perfect grades and few friends. What's reason to seek a diagnosis now--unless there's an actual issue--what is it? Why have you put it off for so long?

I'll save you the $4k dr. Black would charge you--your kid is hfa. You already know this.

Oh, for f*cks sake. Simmer down.

OP, are there any actual problems? Concerns you or your child have? Because so far you are getting typical knee-jerk DCUM responses, which are, predictably, your kid has autism and/or you need a $4,000 evaluation.

If there are no problems, you are good. Flat affect alone would not seem to be a problem. If there is an actual issue, get a consultation with a psychologist for that. Let a professional guide you.

It sounds like his teachers think it is a problem and OP asked who they should see about it. Her child was diagnosed with MERLD and there's been no followup with a professional since K. Her kid needs an evaluation rather than thinking everything is fine because her child's grades are good. Kids with undiagnosed issues typically develop maladaptive coping behaviors that are often infinitely worse than what could have been if the issue was diagnosed and addressed early on.

Anonymous wrote:Op, flat affect at 11. Previous Merld diagnosis, perfect grades and few friends. What's reason to seek a diagnosis now--unless there's an actual issue--what is it? Why have you put it off for so long?

I'll save you the $4k dr. Black would charge you--your kid is hfa. You already know this.

Oh, for f*cks sake. Simmer down.

OP, are there any actual problems? Concerns you or your child have? Because so far you are getting typical knee-jerk DCUM responses, which are, predictably, your kid has autism and/or you need a $4,000 evaluation.

If there are no problems, you are good. Flat affect alone would not seem to be a problem. If there is an actual issue, get a consultation with a psychologist for that. Let a professional guide you.

Anonymous wrote:Op, flat affect at 11. Previous Merld diagnosis, perfect grades and few friends. What's reason to seek a diagnosis now--unless there's an actual issue--what is it? Why have you put it off for so long?

I'll save you the $4k dr. Black would charge you--your kid is hfa. You already know this.

It'll be worth it for her to talk with Black and HFA is often comorbid with ADHD, anxiety and learning disabiilities especially common for writing. Her kid needs a neuropsych eval - better late than never... I think it's great that OP realizes good grades/academics aren't everything. If your DS has HFA, he needs supports and help for his social communication difficulties to grow up into a happy, fully functional, independent adult.

Op, flat affect at 11. Previous Merld diagnosis, perfect grades and few friends. What's reason to seek a diagnosis now--unless there's an actual issue--what is it? Why have you put it off for so long?

I'll save you the $4k dr. Black would charge you--your kid is hfa. You already know this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any other issues at school other than the flat affect? Does he have friends? Since he has had a MERLD diagnosis and is 11 yrs old, take him for a neuropsych eval which will tell you whether the MERLD is fully resolved and if there are any other issues like learning disabilities.

No he tests very high above grade. Perfect grades. Has a few friends. Any suggestion who to see?

See Dr. David Black at http://caatonline.com/?team=dr-david-black

My DS, 11, with ASD/ADHD and way above grade level with perfect grades and friends sees him. Has been invaluable. Good luck!

DS does not have a flat affect however. Is the flat affect causing social issues?

My brother-in-law had a flat affect as a kid. Could not make eye contact either unlike DS. Our entire family has a lot of spectrumy symptoms even if no diagnosis. BIL grew out of the flat affect and eye contact issues without interventions.. Multi degreed and Ivy educated but miserable. However, we all want better for DS - Supports and services make a great difference in quality of life and happiness but you have to identify the problem first.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any other issues at school other than the flat affect? Does he have friends? Since he has had a MERLD diagnosis and is 11 yrs old, take him for a neuropsych eval which will tell you whether the MERLD is fully resolved and if there are any other issues like learning disabilities.

No he tests very high above grade. Perfect grades. Has a few friends. Any suggestion who to see?

See Dr. David Black at http://caatonline.com/?team=dr-david-black

My DS, 11, with ASD/ADHD and way above grade level with perfect grades and friends sees him. Has been invaluable. Good luck!

+1 for Dr. Black.

Does he have any unusual behaviors?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any other issues at school other than the flat affect? Does he have friends? Since he has had a MERLD diagnosis and is 11 yrs old, take him for a neuropsych eval which will tell you whether the MERLD is fully resolved and if there are any other issues like learning disabilities.

No he tests very high above grade. Perfect grades. Has a few friends. Any suggestion who to see?

See Dr. David Black at http://caatonline.com/?team=dr-david-black

My DS, 11, with ASD/ADHD and way above grade level with perfect grades and friends sees him. Has been invaluable. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Any other issues at school other than the flat affect? Does he have friends? Since he has had a MERLD diagnosis and is 11 yrs old, take him for a neuropsych eval which will tell you whether the MERLD is fully resolved and if there are any other issues like learning disabilities.

No he tests very high above grade. Perfect grades. Has a few friends. Any suggestion who to see?

Any other issues at school other than the flat affect? Does he have friends? Since he has had a MERLD diagnosis and is 11 yrs old, take him for a neuropsych eval which will tell you whether the MERLD is fully resolved and if there are any other issues like learning disabilities.

Anonymous wrote:

What do you think? Is he like that at home?

I wonder if he is being guarded.

Yes he is the same at home.

Anonymous wrote:MERLD is rarely fully resolved. What does the SLP say?

We haven’t seen one since kindergarten.

MERLD is rarely fully resolved. What does the SLP say?

What do you think? Is he like that at home?

I wonder if he is being guarded.

Wanted to add: teachers brought it up a couple of times last school year.

My 11 yo has very limited range of emotions or flat affect. Would you see someone for this? Only other dx was for MERLD, which seems funny resolved now.