What should I expect to get an official diagnosis for AS?

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ShadowFawkingPlay
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04 Feb 2012, 2:58 am

I have a psychologist whom I have been seeing for approximately nine months. She believes I have Asperger's Syndrome. She does not feel comfortable giving me an official diagnosis because she does not specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorders. I also believe I have Asperger's Syndrome, I've thought so for over a year.

But, I was hoping to get an official diagnosis so that I may enter a vocational rehabilitation. I have been having trouble entering the job force because I do not know what I am supposed to do in order to get a job. I fill out applications. But, I do nothing else as I do not know how to go about it. I do not know what to say on a phone to check in on the job as I have been told to do. I don't know what to say in order to inquire at establishments about employment when they do not offer the information online. I need to come up with a script, but not having an opportunity to watch someone else through the process, not having gone through the process myself, nor being told EXACTLY what to say... I haven't a script to follow.

So, how should I go about finding someone to diagnose me? Once that has been completed, what should I expect during the process?



Deuterium
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04 Feb 2012, 2:36 pm

My psychologist had some links/information on how to find an ASD specialist. Initially it was going to be through a department of a college but they they directed us to an independent specialist because they were making changes to the department. If your psychologist doesn't have advice on where to find a specialist, if there are any medical schools around you they would almost surely have all manner of contacts for specialists of any number of conditions, or information relevant to continuing your search.

I would hesitate approaching it in the mindset of "I need someone to diagnose me", however - it might be best to view it as "I need someone to evaluate me", because one cannot be 100% certain to receive a diagnosis of AS, which might be a destructive outcome if you have built up expectations.

My diagnosis consisted of an initial interview to determine if it did seem plausible, and then a second appointment involved a multi-faceted test that was part IQ test along with several parts dealing with perception, interpretation of language, and past experiences. The doctor was there the whole time and was usually the one filling the test out while I provided the answers to what he was asking out loud. Only at the very last portion did he leave the room, checking in every 5 minutes or so to see if I was finished with a multiple choice sheet. The third appointment (which took quite some time later) was his review and results of the testing, which he read over in its entirety and explained some parts in more detail. It is several pages long and reads in fairly plain English for the most part, with some sections that show numerics (for instance, the tiers of the IQ testing). I won't explain the exact testing sections or how things are evaluated as it may or may not be detrimental to the accuracy of your testing to know beforehand.



ShadowFawkingPlay
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06 Feb 2012, 9:16 pm

Deuterium wrote:
I would hesitate approaching it in the mindset of "I need someone to diagnose me", however - it might be best to view it as "I need someone to evaluate me", because one cannot be 100% certain to receive a diagnosis of AS, which might be a destructive outcome if you have built up expectations.

My diagnosis consisted of an initial interview to determine if it did seem plausible, and then a second appointment involved a multi-faceted test that was part IQ test along with several parts dealing with perception, interpretation of language, and past experiences. The doctor was there the whole time and was usually the one filling the test out while I provided the answers to what he was asking out loud. Only at the very last portion did he leave the room, checking in every 5 minutes or so to see if I was finished with a multiple choice sheet. The third appointment (which took quite some time later) was his review and results of the testing, which he read over in its entirety and explained some parts in more detail. It is several pages long and reads in fairly plain English for the most part, with some sections that show numerics (for instance, the tiers of the IQ testing).


Thank you for your answer. It is exactly what I had been requesting. It just helps not to be caught off guard. Now I just need to get on finding a specialist, using your advice.

I will be sure, also, to enter the process without expectancy of a diagnosis. That is excellent advice.