Getting Diagnosed: What to Expect and Do?

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ChristinaTheHobbit
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15 Feb 2013, 7:35 pm

As I am new to this community, you will have to forgive me if this topic has been brought up before or if this is in the wrong category.

After coming to college and experiencing a very difficult time adjusting, I have finally decided to get myself tested and diagnosed for whatever is wrong up in the old thinkerbox. My counselor suggested that I discuss Social Anxiety Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Asperger's with my psychologist. After the research I have done on all three disorders, I am really hoping that I do have Asperger's as it explains why I feel so different and my struggles. I have set up an appointment with a local psychologist who specializes in autism and in two weeks I begin the diagnostic process.

However, I have no clue what to expect from this process. What type of questions are they going to ask, what types of tests could they employ (I have already been informed that I will undergo 2-6 hours of testing)? What should I expect from an appointment like this?

Also, should I be doing anything to prepare for my appointment? Should I identify the symptoms I suffer from? Make a list of everything I struggle with? Or should I just relax and wait it out until I know my diagnosis?

If it does turn out to be Asperger's, am I eligible for academic accommodation (my own testing room and extra testing time would be great as I can only process one thing at a time and find the presence of others distracting)? Would I be eligible for financial aid?

Part of me is really excited to find out why I do struggle with the things I do. But I am also worried that since I am female I may be misdiagnosed. Does anyone have any advice for me as I set off on this confusing and slightly scary adventure?

Thank you in advance :)



FalsettoTesla
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15 Feb 2013, 7:40 pm

Which country are you from? Because the answer is highly dependant on location.



Yuugiri
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15 Feb 2013, 7:43 pm

They gave me an IQ test, I think. That, along with the psychologist's observations, several surveys filled out by myself and my family (all 3 of my parents), and comments by teachers, secured the diagnosis for me.


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tall-p
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15 Feb 2013, 8:48 pm

They will ask you questions like are on these tests... http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt113459.html


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Pileo
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15 Feb 2013, 9:04 pm

Go to a neuropsychologist if you can. If there's none available, a psychologist with neuropsych testing credentials and who only does evaluations, not counseling. A tip my vocational rehabilitation officer gave me. She finds that psychologists who also do counseling do subpar evaluations and are a bit bias.



ChristinaTheHobbit
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15 Feb 2013, 9:43 pm

FalsettoTesla wrote:
Which country are you from? Because the answer is highly dependant on location.


I live in America.



windtreeman
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15 Feb 2013, 11:04 pm

Okay, for me specifically, I had six hours of testing. It started out with a seemingly non-specific questionnaire on anxiety, depression, substance abuse and other random psychological queries. Then we took the WAIS IV IQ test, which took quite a lot of time. This test consisted of mental math, story problems, solving visual puzzles using both blocks and images and much more. Then we did the House Tree Person (or whatever order) test. Then I took the ADOS and answered some more specific questions that were autism related. I'm sure I'm missing a few things but, overall, nothing to be worried about. I would highly recommend bringing in some prepared materials. I'm not sure how crazy you should get with it but I ended up typing around 12 pages, single-spaced on what I've struggled with, what I thought my symptoms were and how they affected me, etc. During the diagnosis session, I asked them and they said they really appreciated the extra material and that it was extremely interesting. I then asked if my diagnosis would have been the same without it and they said absolutely, so though it doesn't seem totally necessary, I think the psychologist would appreciate it (or never actually read it, haha). Lets see, my Mom also had to fill out two question forms and that was it. No big deal, as long as they're competent. I had massive anxiety before my testing due to all the unknowns, but in perfect hindsight, that was a ton of energy wasted.


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