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Minionkitty
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18 Apr 2014, 7:34 pm

My grandma has found a summer camp for adults 19 and over with NLD, ADHD, and AS. She wants me to go. I have never been away from home without a family member or close friend. I can't sleep in new places. It is also very expensive. About $3000 for two weeks and $4300 for three weeks. My grandma wants me to choose between this and the assessment for ASD, as the ASD assessment is also expensive ($3000)

The thing is, going to summer camp will not help me gain a diagnosis, or help and accommodations in college, or services when I'm ready to move out of my grandparents'. Though my grandma argues since it's specifically for adults with NLD and AS it might help my social skills and life skills. I don't think it would be any different than the treatment facility I lived in for two years.

What do all of you think? What would be more beneficial, a summer camp or going through with the AS and psycho-educational assessment?


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AQ: 39 ---- RAADS-R: 187.0
Nonverbal Learning Disorder; diagnosed September 2010
Schizoaffective disorder; diagnosed December 2012
ASD/Asperger's Syndrome traits; diagnosed August 2014
IQ 120
(Diagnosed using the DSM-IV, not DSM-5)


AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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18 Apr 2014, 11:07 pm

I'm comfortably self-diagnosed, but then again, I'm 51 years old. And many people my age will be self-diagnosed.

It sounds like you want to pursue the idea of a diagnosis with the goal of receiving resources and accommodations at a university, and this is a very valid reason to pursue a diagnosis.



matt
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19 Apr 2014, 1:56 am

Getting a diagnosis has more potential benefits, and may be useful depending on the particular circumstances later in your life.



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19 Apr 2014, 8:31 am

What would they do at the camp? I've never heard of a camp for adults before. Also, I'm curious why you need more testing- do you need accommodations that aren't covered by your current diagnosis?


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Minionkitty
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19 Apr 2014, 8:44 am

The camp's website says they do a bunch of sports, practice social and life skills like cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. I was in college for a week last semester and I couldn't handle it, and I really didn't get any help at all. Just a peer notetaker. My therapist used to be a teacher, and said that not many people really recognize NLD or give it much help.


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AQ: 39 ---- RAADS-R: 187.0
Nonverbal Learning Disorder; diagnosed September 2010
Schizoaffective disorder; diagnosed December 2012
ASD/Asperger's Syndrome traits; diagnosed August 2014
IQ 120
(Diagnosed using the DSM-IV, not DSM-5)


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19 Apr 2014, 1:52 pm

I personally would go for the diagnosis; it has more long-term benefits, not just for getting help at school, but also after school in the workforce. You can find similar social skills-based activities for those on the spectrum for way less than camp.


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Sethno
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19 Apr 2014, 5:17 pm

Minionkitty wrote:
My grandma has found a summer camp for adults 19 and over with NLD, ADHD, and AS. She wants me to go. I have never been away from home without a family member or close friend. I can't sleep in new places. It is also very expensive. About $3000 for two weeks and $4300 for three weeks. My grandma wants me to choose between this and the assessment for ASD, as the ASD assessment is also expensive ($3000)

The thing is, going to summer camp will not help me gain a diagnosis, or help and accommodations in college, or services when I'm ready to move out of my grandparents'. Though my grandma argues since it's specifically for adults with NLD and AS it might help my social skills and life skills. I don't think it would be any different than the treatment facility I lived in for two years.

What do all of you think? What would be more beneficial, a summer camp or going through with the AS and psycho-educational assessment?



You're diagnosed with NVLD? Why do you seek a diagnosis for ASD? Is there some question as to how valid the NVLD diagnosis is? There are some that believe it's a form of autism anyway, possibly another way of looking at Asperger's.

Why are you considering an ASD diagnosis? (I'm not discouraging or challenging. I'm just asking why.)


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AQ 31
Your Aspie score: 100 of 200 / Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 101 of 200
You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits

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Minionkitty
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19 Apr 2014, 8:00 pm

Sethno wrote:
Minionkitty wrote:
My grandma has found a summer camp for adults 19 and over with NLD, ADHD, and AS. She wants me to go. I have never been away from home without a family member or close friend. I can't sleep in new places. It is also very expensive. About $3000 for two weeks and $4300 for three weeks. My grandma wants me to choose between this and the assessment for ASD, as the ASD assessment is also expensive ($3000)

The thing is, going to summer camp will not help me gain a diagnosis, or help and accommodations in college, or services when I'm ready to move out of my grandparents'. Though my grandma argues since it's specifically for adults with NLD and AS it might help my social skills and life skills. I don't think it would be any different than the treatment facility I lived in for two years.

What do all of you think? What would be more beneficial, a summer camp or going through with the AS and psycho-educational assessment?



You're diagnosed with NVLD? Why do you seek a diagnosis for ASD? Is there some question as to how valid the NVLD diagnosis is? There are some that believe it's a form of autism anyway, possibly another way of looking at Asperger's.

Why are you considering an ASD diagnosis? (I'm not discouraging or challenging. I'm just asking why.)

Yes, both my grandma and previous psychiatrist question it. I wasn't tested for AS when I was diagnosed with NVLD. I barely made it through high school with the supports I had with the NVLD diagnosis, I couldn't make it at all in college. I dropped out after two weeks last semester. The school told me with an AS/ASD diagnosis they would be able to provide me with an EA, the only thing that got me through my last year of high school (I had one for safety reasons). Even my therapist, who used to be a teacher, says no one really recognizes NVLD because it's not officially in the DSM or officially considered an ASD.


_________________
AQ: 39 ---- RAADS-R: 187.0
Nonverbal Learning Disorder; diagnosed September 2010
Schizoaffective disorder; diagnosed December 2012
ASD/Asperger's Syndrome traits; diagnosed August 2014
IQ 120
(Diagnosed using the DSM-IV, not DSM-5)