Autistic Disorder or Asperger's Disorder (not including Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified) when diagnosed:

by a psychiatrist, developmental paediatrician, or a psychologist experienced in the assessment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and
using the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
From the centerlink website....
So Would the pead I am seeing need to be a developmental pead... How do I know if he is?


eta - i tell you what it was really interesting reading what his teacher had to say. When I tried to get the same ball rolling in NSW his teacher there gave me her "observation" list. Which was all of a few lines of pretty much nothing.
Here, though, his teacher wrote out a page worth of stuff. Noting everything from his obsession with fiddling with small objects (notably pencil sharpeners?!) & that he is always at the bin sharpening pencils. That he interrupts all the time but in a "joining in the conversation way" yet seems unable to make friends. Gets up & collects rubbish, other peoples things to return them etc. Touches things after being instructed not too. Keen to be helpful yet doesn't wait to be asked or instructed & will just take it upon himself to do & often crosses boundaries in doing so. Jumps ahead & starts/tries to complete a task before listening/reading/following instruction & just guesses what he needs to do. he will often make inappropriate noises while working (now this is something that made me go "really?!"). Likes to play with lego at free time but doesn't share with a group & gets upset when its time to pack up & will often sneak bits back to his desk to fiddle with etc.

It went on but I was so thankful that she was so detailed & actually did realise that yes there is a problem.
Its just so nice to have people who are in a position to actually help agree that we need it! This has been about 4 years in the making!