My psychologist

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Couldn't think of a title. Anyway, earlier today, I went to my psychologist, who has suspected that I have Aspergers. I asked him if we could confirm that I have it by taking a test, he answered: "Isn't it enough that I said so?" Apparently, my psychologist has confirmed it in his mind that I have Aspergers. He said, sure, that I could go through a test in order to get formal diagnosis. But I still find it weird. Hope I'm posting this in the right place...

Any comments?

There isn't really a test.
IQ tests don't tell you.

The other tests like AQ, etc. are self-reporting symptom lists.

If a qualified professional has observed enough symptoms in you to fit the criteria, that really is enough.

This is an interesting time when definitions are changing and consensus is weak. I taked to three clinicians about this in the last month and they all feel that the DSM V removal of Aspergers is a mistake. The are still diagnosing Aspergers Disorder and when they switch, they are planning to give the diagnosis of ASD High Functioning (Aspergers Presentation) and they think this will be a widespread practice. They also expect that Aspergers will return as a diagnosis when the tension reflected in the NIMH rejection of the DSM V for research purposes has settled and there are real tests for genes and epigenetic factors that play a role in expressing the condition formerly known as Aspergers.

All he needs to do is put it in writing then, right?

Why did he not put it in writing? That's weird? Is he not qualified?

I think you're right... I guess I have Aspergers, then. Thank you for answering!

And yes, he is qualified, yet he didn't put it in writing, maybe he hasn't yet?

Ask him to write a proper diagnostic report. It is interesting to see what your clinician lists as examples of the criteria. I learned a lot from the report that was written for my son.

Funny... a high percentage of the posts here are about getting a psychiatrist or psychologist to give them a dx. My opinion is that these helping professionals are like art connoisseurs at a show of avant guarde paintings. They won't all agree on any assessment.

I was diagnosed today.

Not only did he say, "You definitely have Asperger's Disorder," my Psychiatrist also wrote the Diagnostic code on paper and will write a note for my employer abut a specific way that Asperger's can impact my work, if I ask him to.

He also gave me references to certain books to read that have exercises he thinks will help me with specific issues that came up during the diagnostic interview and has invited me to return for specific therapy if I need it in the future.

If your doctor won't do as much, get another doctor!