DVCal
Velociraptor
Joined: Apr 05, 2012
Posts: 463
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 Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 1:53 am Post subject: Did you get any standard testing for your diagnosis? |
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| I don't think I did. Originally I went to see the psychiatrist about my anxiety problems, and after talking to him for 20 minutes about my anxiety issues, he asked me if I heard of Asperger Syndrome, and said based on my 20 minute communication with him, the way I talk, and my lack of eye contact, he decided I had it. He also diagnosed me with GAD and gave me medication for that, and said their was no medication for AS. It actually took around 3 years for me to accept my diagnosis. |
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questor
Hermit
Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1983
Location: Twilight Zone
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:35 am Post subject: Evaluation. |
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It doesn't sound like the psych doc did a thorough psych evaluation of you. That 20 mins is hardly time for that, unless someone is exhibiting really psychotic, or paranoid, or schizoid behaviors. While an official diagnosis is only absolutely necessary for those seeking help through the gov or insurance companies, you can take some online tests that are available. Go to the Autism/Asperger's forum here. There is at least one post there with links to those tests. Even though it will be in the nature of a self diagnosis, it will still be far more of an evaluation than that psych doc did for you. Those tests are questionnaires that take info from you and you score yourself on the results, and see how the scores rate. The psych docs are supposed to do stuff like that, too, but the one you went to didn't. I believe he probably did get the impression that you are on the Autism/Asperger's spectrum, and his professional opinion is not without some merit. However, at that point, since he didn't have time for a proper evaluation, he should have scheduled you for one at another time either with him or with someone else. The fact that he didn't indicates that he was kind of sloppy about this, or perhaps does not do much work with people on the spectrum, and thus may not be familiar with spectrum evaluation procedures.
I do suggest you take the online tests, and make copies for your own records. If you want or need an official diagnosis then whoever you go to that you want an evaluation for spectrum disorders. That way they can arrange for enough time for the evaluation in your appointment. Bring a copy of your online tests with you to show the doc. |
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Squirsh
Velociraptor
Joined: Apr 18, 2009
Age: 19
Posts: 499
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:09 am Post subject: |
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| I didn't have any tests, but I did have about 6 hour-long sessions spread out over half a year where my issues were discussed and my mother was asked what I was like as a baby, toddler, and young child in addition to finding out what I'm like now. I think the psychiatrist who evaluated me probably thought that filling out tests wouldn't give enough depth to the information. 20 minutes definitely doesn't sound long enough for a thorough evaluation though. |
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Wandering_Stranger
Phoenix
Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 1190
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:19 am Post subject: |
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| I am in the middle of getting tested. So far, he asked me some questions - mostly relating to school / childhood. I've been given one of those tests to fill in and bring in when I see him next. |
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alongfortheride
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Mar 17, 2012
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| Not me, but my son had six hours of formal tests by a neuropsychologist that tested not only for ASD's, but his IQ, for ADD/ADHD, memory issues, fine motor skills and a variety of other things. He spoke to me in advance regarding his history and what I was seeing and then to ds at the beginning of the actual testing. In addition, I filled out a stack of papers based on both his history and what his skills and behaviors were at the time of testing. He was able to both rule in and out a variety of things by having a complete picture. |
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AnOldHFA
Raven
Joined: Oct 15, 2011
Age: 49
Posts: 116
Location: USA - Lost
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Did you get any standard testing for your diagnosis? |
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In first grade the teacher decided to have me tested. I was sent to big hospital type building. The testing took several hours. I remember them telling my parents I had manic depression and autism with a high IQ. It would have been nice if they took time to tell me what the words meant.
My diagnose took a school teacher, parents and formal testing.
They were right on. Although I didn't know why I acted like I did. Recent learning about autism makes sense of all those memories.
I have a co-worker that is 24 and shows a lot of autistic traits. He says his girlfriend is the same... Neither of them were ever tested. I figure I was more clearly autistic as a child. |
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XFilesGeek
Pretentiousness personified.
Joined: Jul 25, 2010
Posts: 1833
Location: The Oort Cloud
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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No.
My diagnosis was based on five hours spread out over four sessions of interview questions and a phone interview with my mother. The mental health clinic on my base is of the opinion that Aspergers can be discerned via interview.
The clinical psychologist said I strongly reminded him of the male adolescents with Aspergers he had treated previously.
I paid for an IQ test myself ($225.00) at a different clinic, which took about 2 hours. The therapist who administered the WAIS-IV hinted around that she thought I had ADHD, but she couldn't be sure because IQ tests can't diagnose that, and two hours isn't enough time.
_________________
"If we fail to anticipate the unforeseen or expect the unexpected in a universe of infinite possibilities, we may find ourselves at the mercy of anyone or anything that cannot be programmed, categorized or easily referenced." |
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VeggieGirl
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 02, 2011
Posts: 129
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| I didn't have testing to determine that I had Asperger's. When I started seeing my current therapist, she saw signs of AS. She noticed more over time. After over a year of seeing her, when I was (once again) upset about social issues, she told me that I have AS. I completely agree with her diagnosis. |
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