Getting assessed tomorrow...Questions!

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I have an appointment with a (new) psychiatrist who specializes in ASDs and ADHD tomorrow. All right. I know I live in a different country but I'd like to know what I should expect this time.
I've been to a psychiatrist before. He's a quack as far as I know. Told me I have AS and told my mom I didn't...all after half an hour of chit chat. No tests, no nothing. This new psychiatrist...she as I know is one of the best on the island.

Question 1: Tomorrow I would be going with my father, who's a bit aspie himself. I don't know if he'd be willing to stay in the room. Or if the psychiatrist would like to talk to the two of us separately? Would she?

Question 2: How long would the entire assessment take on the first visit? Actually, how many visits would the diagnosis take?

Question 3: How do I tactfully tell the psychiatrist about my suspicions and knowledge of Asperger's? I don't want to sound conceited. How much should I tell her?

Question 4: Am I obliged to inform the school of the results or can I keep it to myself?

Question 5: Should I mention ADHD which is also causing me problems?

Thanks so much in advance!! !

I am in the middle of getting tested for aspie myself and here is what I can help you with.

Question 1: When my psychiatrist wanted to talk with my parents I was pressent in the room when she asked the qustions.

Question 2: for me it has taken 1 visit to a psychiatrist and 2 more are sheduled. Time per visit: 25 min. And 3 visits to specialist nurse witch took 45 min and nomore visits are sheduled

Question 3: I toled mine direct since I wanted to know if I was an Aspie or not and that is why I was there in the first place.

Question 4: In Denmark it is not obliged to tell anybody anything.

Question 5: I dont know

From the USA.


I was declared to have AS twice. The first time by the lady shrink I had been seeing for years, who had never even heard of aspergers until my mom mentioned it to her. She read up on it overnight- and then declared that I had it. This was long after 1994 when it had become recognized as diagnosis in the USA.

But years later I decided I wanted the real official test.

The test was very involved ( I believe it was three visits) consisting of batteries of tests and interviews.

If my parents had been around (one is dead, the other in a home) they would have interviewed them about me without me around. But the doctor did interview my sister and my girlfriend about me - both seperate times from me being there.

You dont have to tell anyone about the results.

Regardless of the results you get a thick report that is a nifty inventory of your talents, weaknesses, and strengths, and personality traits, that anyone can benifit from.

2- My assessment was 3- 2hr sessions (although my psych was rather sure of my diagnosis half way through the second.

3&5- Tell the psych that you had seen someone before who mentioned you might have AS, and you want to know for sure if you do. That is how I got on the path of diagnosis, a school counselor thought I had AS, then I found some one more qualified to say for sure or not.

4- I am not sure about the laws in your country, but in the US you are not obligated to disclose your diagnosis. I choose to tell the disability accommodation office at my school, and my professors know I get accommodations, but they do not know my diagnosis, and they cannot find out unless I choose to tell them. I did not have to tell anyone, but as I needed accommodations I told those who needed to know so I could get those helps (extended time on tests, recording of lectures, alternate assignments to presentations).

Thank you for your replies! Today is the big day!

All right. So this morning I went and had my first interview. The doctor says that she thinks I probably have it. She gave me a personality test and some questionnaires to bring home. They are to be filled out by my parents and homeroom teacher.
She also thinks that I don't have ADHD.
The second and probably final interview in the diagnostic process will take place on aug. 27th.

Congrats.