Scoring the Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale

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I took my son to see a specialist this morning, and she gave me a bunch of copies of something called the Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS), and told me to fill it out (circling the traits/behaviors that I've noticed in my son) and have my husband and my son's teacher do the same. Each behavior (ie, "Avoids or limits eye contact") gets a point, with a total possible 50 points for the raw score. My son got 33. (She told me to fill it out for myself at age 8, and I got 34.)

I'm confused because it doesn't explain how the ASDS subscales work, other than that they go up to 130, or the percentiles or standard scores. Is it just figuring out percentages, so if someone got 50 points raw, that would convert to 130 standard? If so, my son only gets 86, which is possibly Asperger's. There's a bunch of "Key Questions" too, but those seem like essay questions, and thus not easy to score.

I'm assuming she'll explain it when we bring it back in, but I want to know NOW. I want to see how my husband scores him, but he's watching TV instead.

What's he watching?

Merle

He was watching wrestling. The soonest I can turn it in is next Tuesday, and it doesn't NEED to be done until next month, I'm just being impatient. I guess I've waited 2 years, so waiting another month won't kill me.

it's pretty important to not pressure anyone into taking or rating others with the test because it can skew the test results. then you will not have an honest picture that the test evaluates, you will have an attitude that will not make the test honest. Also, if it is so difficult to get him to do it once, it will be impossible to get him to do it again.
I say being a grateful loving woman is your best shot to get him in the mood to take the test willingly, or at least not grudgingly; so give it a go, he's YOUR steady guy, you know what he likes. ( Invite him to a wrestling match and be the main event tonight! more flies caught with honey than with vinegar. . .and all that.)



Merle

I don't know the full answer to your question but here's what I do know about the ASDS:

The test is for ages 5-18.

The authors stress that no single measure (including the ASDS) should be used to diagnose AS.

A raw score of 22 converts to a standard score of 75 "unlikely" so it's probable that the 33-34 falls into the "possibly" range as you suggested.

A 33 on this instrument is a pretty strong showing of issues that could possibly be linked to AS. In comparison my NT kids would score around a 2 or 3.

Good luck with the evaluation. Be sure and make copies before you hand it in as you may want to check back someday.

I actually have a similar question. I just filled the ASDS out for my 8 year old daughter - it added up to 43, but I'm not sure where it falls for an actual score. I can't seem to find anything else online, and I was happy when wrong planet showed up in my google search (it always does )

I do wish you luck in finding out what's going on, and I completely understand your hurry. And believe me, you can't waste time. My son is 19, has been diagnosed with Severe ADD, Depression, Learning Disability, and other issues from the age of 2nd grade. Two years ago when he was a junior in highschool we found a new doctor and went through more testing, got on new medication and really improved. He's been tested for autism before which was negative, however, just last week his doctor said, "I'm going to have him tesed for Aspergers." So I researched this on the internet over and over, and it fits my son completely - even down to his fetish with spicy food and inability to pick out appropriate clothes. But how did he get to be 19 without figuring this out? I've been researching everything anyone has mentioned, very involved with him both at home and school, and now I feel like such a failure for not figuring it out sooner. He's trying to find a job - which is impossible because his handwriting is very poor, he has little social skills - therefore can't make it through an interview very well. And even if he gets a job he'll never keep it as he only does what is written down for him or asked of him, nothing more unless told. He's not lazy and extremely intelligent, and if I'd have known years ago that he needed this type of behavioral intervention he'd be so much farther ahead. Anyway, I'm just rambling and don't mean to put you in a panic. But be glad that you have found a possible diagnosis that you can work with - and I don't blame you for being impatient - it's a mother's job to want the best for their child without waiting.