Episode 249
Title: Faults in Diagnosis of Autism & Spectrum Disorder
Host: Dr. Nicole Rivera
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Transcription:
Dr. Nicole Rivera (00:01.336)
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Integrative You Radio. You have Dr. Nicole today. I am flying solo and bringing a topic that is more thought-provoking than one where I bring a level of expertise. This is about thinking critically and outside the box regarding something that I feel is happening very, very often. Let me preface this. Recently, I asked our social media audience, "What do you guys want to hear about? What are some great podcast topics for Integrative You Radio?" The responses were all over the map, but many said, "Tell us about Italy and your move to Italy." This got me thinking about many directions for that conversation, but it brought me back to a private conversation with my husband, Dr. Nick.
We have a little boy, Quentin, who is almost three now, which is crazy. It’s been amazing to observe his development—how he’s been growing, interacting with his environment, taking in information, and processing it.
I also work with many kids, from infants to teenagers. Recently, there’s been an influx of younger children with diagnoses ranging from developmental delays to autism, Asperger's, and spectrum disorders. There are so many different names for these differences in so-called "normal" development. And I say "quote-unquote" very intentionally because we have a textbook version of what development should look like, without considering the bio-individuality in development.
So, how does this connect back to Italy?
Dr. Nicole Rivera (02:21.848)
Moving to Italy made me reflect on how this journey is about living in alignment with our values, which allows us to be the best versions of ourselves. This also allows Quentin to be the best version of himself. He's had the opportunity to climb, swim, and explore new terrain that has expanded him in ways his previous environment never could. A lot of this expansion is tactile, hands-on, and physical, which is something not often discussed.
People talk about how boys develop more slowly than girls, with delayed speech and other milestones, but no one dives deeper into understanding these differences. What’s normal? What’s not? How can we help our child's development? This connects to a conversation I had with Dr. Nick about kids who are labeled developmentally delayed, autistic, or on the spectrum. I asked, "Do you think these kids are just more tactile, and no one knows how to work with that?"
Let me explain. In neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), there are different ways we take in information: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Auditory learners absorb information by listening, visual learners through pictures and diagrams, and kinesthetic learners need hands-on experience. Many children, especially boys, lean toward the kinesthetic—hands-on, tactile learning. These kids may not thrive in traditional school settings where information is delivered mostly through auditory means.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (04:48.416)
When you think about school, most of the learning is auditory, with some visual elements like writing on the board. But kinesthetic learning opportunities are limited. Some kids need to touch and manipulate things to truly understand them. Yet, they get labeled as "delayed" or "disordered" because they don’t fit into the conventional learning mold.
I’ve observed boys who may not speak much or socialize but excel at hands-on activities, like building Legos or playing in the dirt. These kids are often diagnosed with developmental or socialization disorders, but maybe they’re just more tactile learners. And when they’re put in environments where auditory learning is the norm, they struggle.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (09:30.998)
This can lead to frustration, tantrums, and further diagnoses. But tactile, hands-on learning is a crucial part of development. It’s not just about reading a book and taking a test. In real life, how often are you tested that way? For example, I’m learning Italian. I could ace a written test, but responding to a native Italian speaker in real-time is a whole different challenge.
Many children who are kinesthetic learners—who need to create, build, and explore—end up feeling like they don’t fit into the education system. Yet, these same kids could grow up to be artists, engineers, or mechanics. Some of my friends who were labeled as "learning disabled" became talented storytellers, entertainers, or connectors. With the right mentorship, they could have been CEOs or salespeople.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (11:51.68)
Kinesthetic learning isn’t a disadvantage. It’s a different way of processing the world, and we need to embrace it. Not every child will thrive through book smarts alone; they need physical challenges and hands-on experiences. We shouldn’t be so quick to pathologize differences—what we label as "spectrum" may just be a different, but equally valid, way of learning.
Watch your child. If they focus intensely on tactile activities like building or creating, that’s their neurological system being stimulated. It doesn’t mean they’ll never socialize or develop other skills—it just means they’re wired differently.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (14:13.8)
This isn’t to say every diagnosis is incorrect, but to encourage more critical thinking. We need to foster our children's physical development and embrace their hands-on abilities. Kids today are tested on skills that won’t necessarily help them succeed in life. In contrast, hands-on skills—whether that’s building, creating, or interacting with the world in a tactile way—are often more valuable in adulthood.
One of the biggest benefits of our move to Italy has been the opportunity to expand our physical and hands-on challenges. It's helped us reduce stress, strengthen our family bond, and improve Quentin's development. I hope this inspires you to rethink how we approach child development, embrace hands-on learning, and recognize the unique gifts each child brings to the world.
