How do I get checked?

[Alpine]

How do you get diagnosed? If you suspect you might have this....who do you make an appointment with? I'm not quite sure what to do.

 

[SorensScapegoat]

I think it highly unlikely you have autism. Autistics tend to be very, very socially avoidant. And, forgive me, but if you did have autism someone really would have noticed by now. As to the other thing, I have no idea.

On the other hand, if you are thinking that these conditions are genetically inherited, then you should consult with your primary care physician for a referall to a genetic counselor. This will basically be a MD with some genetics back ground who will run a sample for genetic markers to determine your baseline risk for passing along the heritable condition.

--s

 

[Alpine]

I think it highly unlikely you have autism. Autistics tend to be very, very socially avoidant. And, forgive me, but if you did have autism someone really would have noticed by now. As to the other thing, I have no idea.

On the other hand, if you are thinking that these conditions are genetically inherited, then you should consult with your primary care physician for a referall to a genetic counselor. This will basically be a MD with some genetics back ground who will run a sample for genetic markers to determine your baseline risk for passing along the heritable condition.

--s

Well, obviously I was referring to aspergers. I'm not sure if there is a genetic test for this.

 

[flautist]

Call around to psychologists. They would be the ones to do tests for it.

 

[flautist]

Here are the DSM IV diagnostic criteria, which is what the tests are based around. Keep in mind that everyone has some of these things to some degree. The only way that it can be asperger's is if it significantly impairs you in your daily life.

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia





And here's a bit more "plain english" description of it from http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html

A few people with Asperger's syndrome are very successful and until recently were not diagnosed with anything but were seen as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and a little awkward physically. Although the criteria state no significant delay in the development of language milestones, what you might see is a "different" way of using language. A child may have a wonderful vocabulary and even demonstrate hyperlexia but not truly understand the nuances of language and have difficulty with language pragmatics. Social pragmatics also tend be weak, leading the person to appear to be walking to the beat of a "different drum". Motor dyspraxia can be reflected in a tendency to be clumsy.

In social interaction, many people with Asperger's syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance and may actually turn away at the same moment as greeting another. The children I have known do desire interaction with others but have trouble knowing how to make it work. They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano.

There is a general impression that Asperger's syndrome carries with it superior intelligence and a tendency to become very interested in and preoccupied with a particular subject. Often this preoccupation leads to a specific career at which the adult is very successful. At younger ages, one might see the child being a bit more rigid and apprehensive about changes or about adhering to routines. This can lead to a consideration of OCD but it is not the same phenomenon

Many of the weaknesses can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills. Anxiety leading to significant rigidity can be also treated medically. Although it is harder, adults with Asperger's can have relationships, families, happy and productive lives.

 

[Alpine]

Here are the DSM IV diagnostic criteria, which is what the tests are based around. Keep in mind that everyone has some of these things to some degree. The only way that it can be asperger's is if it significantly impairs you in your daily life.

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia





And here's a bit more "plain english" description of it from http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html

A few people with Asperger's syndrome are very successful and until recently were not diagnosed with anything but were seen as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and a little awkward physically. Although the criteria state no significant delay in the development of language milestones, what you might see is a "different" way of using language. A child may have a wonderful vocabulary and even demonstrate hyperlexia but not truly understand the nuances of language and have difficulty with language pragmatics. Social pragmatics also tend be weak, leading the person to appear to be walking to the beat of a "different drum". Motor dyspraxia can be reflected in a tendency to be clumsy.

In social interaction, many people with Asperger's syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance and may actually turn away at the same moment as greeting another. The children I have known do desire interaction with others but have trouble knowing how to make it work. They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano.

There is a general impression that Asperger's syndrome carries with it superior intelligence and a tendency to become very interested in and preoccupied with a particular subject. Often this preoccupation leads to a specific career at which the adult is very successful. At younger ages, one might see the child being a bit more rigid and apprehensive about changes or about adhering to routines. This can lead to a consideration of OCD but it is not the same phenomenon

Many of the weaknesses can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills. Anxiety leading to significant rigidity can be also treated medically. Although it is harder, adults with Asperger's can have relationships, families, happy and productive lives.

Thanks for that. I don't know if I have it, but that was interesting.

 

[Lutherrunner]

an important piece of the diagnosis is a good developmental history. Is your mom still around? What did she think of your development when you were a toddler?...how did you do when you first went to school?....did you have favorite or obsessive interest?.....were you very literal and concrete in your thinking?.....was your language very precise and pedantic?.....did you have trouble with changes in routine?.....those are just a few common things that tend to stand out.....but in general, your parents are a great source in information....

 

[christianb]

I have aspergers.