Recommended Clinicians

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I would be pretty wary of a Ed psych in NZ doing an ASD diagnosis, ( although I can think of one that I work with who would do a good job ) there are no objective tests for ASD, the closest is the ADOS, ( which is still subjective ) and that is only just beginning to be used in NZ. I know in Dunedin there are varying levels of competency in clinicians of all areas. I would also like to suggest that Nigel Latta, is not familiar with every clinician in the country, and saying there are only 1-2 competent is just not correct. I did not see his name on the list of people that attended the last Autism NZ conference. In saying that he has indeed demonstrated that he is not competent to make a diagnosis.

*Edit parent :/

Last edited by Jenk on 06 Dec 2008, 4:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Hiya Jenk,

Where in the world are you? Sometimes depending on location ages of DX and services are limited. It may be that after 21 it is more difficult to get a Dx OR help.

Don't let you daughter be put off. Our family have found that once you are diagnosed life is a lot easier. At least we know what we are dealing with! Well that is how I have found it anyway! And once you realise that you are not alone and amongst thousands and thousands......literally, life doesn't seem that lonely anymore.

Do keep in contact, anything we can help with just yell. Tell your daughter to embrace who she is and learn about her special gifts and talents that undoubtably she has. Don't take what your professional said to heart. I have heard worse! Keep the faith and keep up the great work.

My mother posted ( wow 8O ) Wrong thread, hijacker.

Dr. Mark Handley-Derry - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Developmental Paediatrician specializing in ADHD and Autism. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Geneva Centre of Autism and on the Advisory Board for ADD/ADHD Advocacy Canada. Out of everyone we have worked with, he is my favourite. I couldn't possibly speak more highly of him.

Lab Pet is a grad student (Fairbanks, Alaska) BUT....I just recently attended a lecture/presentation by a special guest, Dr. Charles Cowan.

Dr. Charles Cowan is from Seattle, Washington, developmental pediatrician with expertise in Autism.
Medical Director of the Autism Clinic in Seattle WA


Very impressed with him - he obviously loves his work and the Autistics he works with. He quickly 'recognized' that I am Autistic prior to presentation and was more than nice, asked me questions about what I do - I wrote in response. Also, he has a great sense of humor and is very supportive of those he works with.

But, Alaska does not have specialists in Autism. I've had two in AK that are really great! But others that are downright scary - beware, Alaskans.

Dr. Root ----- gentices
Albuquerque New Mexico USA
she did a great job with my son and saw him fairly quickly for a review after our last move when his primary wanted his Dx reviewed. lot of goood information and great bedside maner. Frist time in 6yrs after Dx that we we're told that he was doing realy well and has a bright future< what I've alway thought> and she didnot equate his autism with being hopelessly retared and sugjest as some other Dr did that we put him away and just be happy we have one "health" child just because jake doesn't speek more then once every few weeks. I hope this helps someone and sorry for the vent .

***Resource tip for all those interested in buying a weighted blanket***

Personal Note: Lab Pet LOVES my weighted blanket. They are for all ages, not just children, and ameloriate sensory discomfort, very soothing is one is feeling 'melty' (we know what that means.....). I'm a grad at University and study underneath my weighted blanket so I can feel safer (at my apartment). At my lab (University) I have a weighted blanket lap-pad. For sleep problems the weighted blanket can be my only relief, or else I tend to not sleep until I literally collapse for exhaustion. Oh, to add: I have no affiliation with this company and am not endorsing.

Anyway, I've bought my weighted blankets from Dream Catchers and their site is www.weightedblanket.net
Their site explains about choosing the correct blanket for your needs and they are very courteous and prompt.

Ok - weighted blankets are pricey! A tip I've learned: Avoid those blankets made with rice or grains (such as lentils)! Dream Catchers doesn't sell those anyway. Here's why: Those fillers can become rancid (yuck). Even worse, attract rodents or insects and blankets made with these fillers are NOT washable and will degrade over time. Best to stick with silica beads or similar.

I just orders a NEW blanket from this site (above) just for my bed. Customer has choice of any sort of custom fabric, colors, etc (good for those with sensitivity to textures, color....). There are special fun prints for kids too.

Dream Catchers gave me this message to pass-on to Wrong Planet inhabitants: If you order from them mention "I know of your weighted blankets from Wrong Planet." Or similar wording. They will automatically give you 10% off any order! Good deal.

Also know weighted blankets are covered by some major medical insurance providers! You may ask your medical provider too. Further, weighted blankets are tax deductible as a medical expense so keep your receipt. Since weighted blankets can be cost prohibitive this business does have a Blanket Exchange Program - mostly for kids who may have 'outgrown' their weighted blanket size. Check out that option (blankets are washable).

Hope that helps for those who are needing therapeutic weighted blankets.

Nobody here in Kentucky that we are really excited about yet!! ! We've been to Weisskopf and they didn't give us any information that we didn't already know!

Also, yes we can go private, but most of us can't afford it or have to go deep in debt to go to a private doctor or organization. For example, there is a supposedly great group here call Square One with developmental pediatricians, consultants, and therapists. However, the first visit is $300, the second is $200, and everyone thereafter is $100, and they do not accept any insurance. That's not even including any psychological testing, only the physicians fees. Soooooo, we have been very disheartening and frustrated in finding the right doctor. We go to a wonderful therapist for social skills and group work, but she is private and does not accept any insurance. We are going to have to scale back on this in the next few months because it is more than we can afford right now.

If anyone has any recommendations close to Kentucky or Indiana in the US, please post your ideas!

Thanks so much for starting this thread. We all need to help each other out as much as possible!

Jeana

thank you so much for these resources- so helpful. My daughter who is 5 has Asperger's and I just discovered this site. I am looking forward to being a part of this community.

Lab Pet doesn't usually frequent the Parents Discussion (I am not a parent nor a child) but Welcome to Wrong Planet, Syl! There's many forums here - have fun exploring. Hello to your daughter as well. Oh, my video clip is in my signature line (hint hint)

http://www.autismgear.com/OtherItems.html

Although not a clinician (apologies) this link has Autism Cards available (not just for parents). Many of us do wear med alert id (Lab Pet does) & these Autism Cards, the size of a business card, are an all-purpose info intended to be given to anyone (they're not intrusive) in the general public should they ask or 'notice' one's difference in behavior, affect, etc. associated w/ Autism.

For ex: If one should be staring, or beginning to taunt, one w/ Autism, then a parent (or the Autist him/herself) can then give a card to bypass that verbal explanation - to avoid any social awkwardness. Noticed cards are succinct, tastefully written/polite, & serve a purpose.

**Might be good for parents who have children prone to meltdowns! These come in a stack of cards you can carry to hand-out if necessary.

Hi there, I would recommend a developmental paediatrician called Warwick Smith in Auckland, New Zealand. He is with the ST Heliers Specialist Centre, but has days in the 4 corners of Auckland - e, w, n, s. He dx'd both our kids.We had previously seen Whirinaki (Mental Health), who basically told us our son's behaviour was our fault as faulty parents, though they have helped some people.

We've had a great experience with Dr Vandana at Childrens Memorial Hospital in Chicago (Childrens Psychiatry department, she's an MD but also does therapy and evaluations)

We are in the last stages of evaluation and diagnosis of our 4 year old and I've found this Dr to be absolutely amazing, she picks up on the subtle things that i've mentioned but have perhaps not been as obvious during the appointments, she treated me as a peer and spoke to me rather than down to me, really helped me understand the issues and the whys and whats, answered my questions wonderfully. Praised my parenting (always nice especially after being told that the issues were BECAUSE of my parenting by other Dr's) and has just been overall a wonderful Dr to work with, natural, relaxed, honest, and able to listen to and understand what i'm telling her. I have a lot of trouble with Dr's appointments and getting across what i want to say but have had no trouble with this Dr at all.

Can't say enough good, highly recommend her.

Hi,,I am new to this site and would love to find anyone who can diagnose Aspergers in an 8 year old boy.I am having a bad time trying to get him diagnosed. Thanks

Any recommendations in Southern New Jersey?

The Dr. that diagnosed my son's Asperger's retired soon after that. At that time, I did not know how fortunate I was to be given the name of that Dr. by a teacher at the school my son was attending. It's hard for me to find a "good" doctor, especially since I don't even know what kind of a Dr. I'm looking for!