Angela Moore

If you suspect your child has Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), it’s a good idea to get them tested. I will say that testing is not quick fill in the blanks or select the right answer type of testing. For my son, he started off with testing at school; it took several days and covered many things on the ADOS test. Then we had to go to the Neuropsychologist to finish up as the school does not do all of the testing. Once that was completed, my son still needed yet one more test that the school had to give. This process started in April of 2008 and ended in September of 2008. Now the neuropsychologist was able to give my sone the diagnosis of AS and even sent the paperwork to the school but until the school finished their testing the IEP (individual education plan) did not get put in place for my son. Now granted, the summer got in the way of my son’s testing but don’t expect this to be an overnight process.

My son’s speech therapist is the one who recommended the test. He was going to speech at school as he had previously been misdiagnosed with ADHD (an earlier post) and did have speech services. Still nothing seemed to quite help my son, not the meds, diet change or anything else. So I was happy to agree to the new testing. On a side note, I have a friend who suspected her daughter was AS but she cannot get her tested. It seems the school does not agree and the specialists won’t test without a referral from the school or pediatrician. If that is the case for you and you want to get your child tested, don’t give up. There are resources available to help you. You should look up your local chapter or the Autism and Asperger’s Society.

Resources Here

AS is a pervasive developmental disorder (the same scale as autism), and people with it may show difficulties in social interaction, along with repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. There are impairments in two-sided social interaction and non-verbal communication. Though grammatical, their speech may sound odd due to inflection and a repetitive pattern. They usually have a specific area of interest they focus on and may not be interested in more age appropriate, common interests.

You can review the criteria for the diagnosis and see if you feel your child fits within this classification. Push to get the answers you need. Once you have a clear understanding of what you are dealing with it helps to understand what type of action to take. Continue to ask your school and Dr.’s to test your child. If they decline ask on what basis. Tell them you have reviewed the criteria and you strongly feel your child may have AS. Try to find an advocate in your area that can help you. You may be able to find someone at your local University or a parent who has been through the same thing that can give you advice. Join support groups and message boards and ask questions. Don’t give up until you have your answers.

AS Criteria from the 2000 Revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition-Text (DSM IV-TR).

Be Sociable, Share!

•