How is Asperger's syndrome Diagnosed?

[Libecht]

Recently I'm thinking about getting an official dignosis, but kind of worried what may happen.
Does anyone know what the dignosis procedure is like?
Chatting with a doctor, getting a scan of brain, finishing a survey or something like that?

 

[clg114]

I was not diagnosed until I was 62 years old. I was pretty sure that had Asperger's Syndrome, but I wanted to know for sure. I found a doctor with experience with AS and had my GP get me a referral for that doctor. I had three appointments with him and got a diagnosis. During the appointments, I was given several tests and talked with the doctor. For me, this was well worth the cost. Now I know why I am the way that I am and that there are others like me. I learned about the personalities of people with AS here. Stick around, it is a great place.

 

[Libecht]

I was not diagnosed until I was 62 years old. I was pretty sure that had Asperger's Syndrome, but I wanted to know for sure. I found a doctor with experience with AS and had my GP get me a referral for that doctor. I had three appointments with him and got a diagnosis. During the appointments, I was given several tests and talked with the doctor. For me, this was well worth the cost. Now I know why I am the way that I am and that there are others like me. I learned about the personalities of people with AS here. Stick around, it is a great place.

Can you tell me more about the tests you were given?
And what were the conversations mainly about?

 

[clg114]

Can you tell me more about the tests you were given?
And what were the conversations mainly about?

In order to answer you question, I had to find my diagnosis. That was eight years ago, so I did not remember everything. It is actually pretty interesting to go over this again. According to the diagnosis, I was given two tests. A Wechsler IQ test and a 16PF personality measure. The conversations were a clinical interview that included a medical and psychosocial profile. The 16 PF factor list included introversion/extraversion, anxiety, tough mindedness, independence and self control. Your diagnosis may or may not be like this. It seems to me that it would depend on the doctor, the patient and possibly the state your in. Overall, it was a positive experience and well worth the trouble.

 

[vanillabuzz]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's exactly a month ago, but I was pretty sure I had it for about a year or perhaps a bit longer than that. It was a long visit to the specialist, the best one in my country, for what that's worth. I filled two giant questionnaires, one with answers from my mom (questions about my childhood) who joined me at the appointment, and the other were questions about my life now as an adult (I'm 34). It took me a good hour to fill both. Then I had an EEG, followed by a chat with the doctor (he had a chat with my mom in his office while I had the EEG done). He quickly diagnosed me after that. The members here were so nice and supportive as I was freaking out a bit prior to the appointment. Most of them suggested I prepared by writing notes so nothing got left out.

Just be yourself, and the doctor will be able to get an accurate picture as to whether you have AS or not. Also, as others have pointed out, preparation helps. Prepare a list of traits and how they affect you in your daily life, giving at least one example for each trait, and a list of the ways you were affected as a child. For example, sensitivity to sound - as a child, scared of loud noises such as balloons bursting, fireworks, thunder, easily distracted by sounds, difficulty concentrating at school. As an adult, loud sounds hurt and can't concentrate at work when there is background noise, hard to socialise.

That was one of the best advice I was given, by multiple people too (my thread is here). I hope this helps you.

 

[Coupe]

My mother took me to be diagnosed when I was about 12. I remember being asked to stay in a room for what seemed like several hours while my mother discussed things with the doctors/neuropsychologists/whatever they were called. This room looked like it was meant to house very young children...there were some toys, a kitchen area and countertops for preparing food that took up half the room, some cabinets, and a small set of shelves with children's books arranged in it. There was a small TV where they showed a movie (I think it was "George of the Jungle 2") until it ended and it was not rewound, nor was another one started. Even though I was supposed to be out of place in a room intended for little kids, I didn't mind it much - I played some with the one or two little kids that were also waiting there. They seemed to like having a big kid there who was actually interested in them and wasn't going to tease them or push them around.

...but this doesn't tell much about what the actual testing procedure(s) was like, so I'll move on to that now....

When they *finally* took me out of the little kid's room and I saw a doctor (at this point I should probably mention that I had NO idea why I was there in the first place...I had literally been in and out of psychiatrists'/psychologists'/behaviorists' offices since I was barely five years old, so this was kind of a way of life for me, even though I didn't understand it), the first thing she did was ask me some questions about myself...how old was I, what grade I was in, etc. She then gave me a sort of survey full of questions about how various life circumstances made me feel. More specifically, there would be a statement such as "I hate school," "I feel angry a lot of the time," "I cover up my work when the teacher walks by," and I was supposed to answer yes/no. I don't remember what other tests she did after I finished the survey, but one test I do remember was one of the last ones - she showed me pictures of various scenarios and asked me to make up a story about each one on the spur of the moment. The pictures consisted of a family conversing at dinner, a girl screaming and looking as if she saw something terrifying, and a boy running away from a silhouetted figure. I struggled with this test b/c I have difficulty making up stories about fictional characters until I've had time to mentally develop their personalities and discern why a given scenario would make them think and feel as they do. This could not all be worked out within the short time frame the attending doctor wanted it to be.

I think that after the tests were done, I was sent back to the little kid's room while the doctors spoke with my mom again. I don't remember much about what happened immediately following, except that a couple weeks afterward, my psychologist kept trying to tell me that I had AS....I didn't really like going to see her as much as I had before, after that. She seemed to look at me with different eyes once I had a diagnosis - even though I was still the same person.

Anyway, that's what the diagnosing process was like for me - but then I was just a kid, so the testing might be different for a teenager or young adult.

 

[Libecht]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's exactly a month ago, but I was pretty sure I had it for about a year or perhaps a bit longer than that. It was a long visit to the specialist, the best one in my country, for what that's worth. I filled two giant questionnaires, one with answers from my mom (questions about my childhood) who joined me at the appointment, and the other were questions about my life now as an adult (I'm 34). It took me a good hour to fill both. Then I had an EEG, followed by a chat with the doctor (he had a chat with my mom in his office while I had the EEG done). He quickly diagnosed me after that. The members here were so nice and supportive as I was freaking out a bit prior to the appointment. Most of them suggested I prepared by writing notes so nothing got left out.


That was one of the best advice I was given, by multiple people too (my thread is here). I hope this helps you.

The replies of your thread mentioned "go back to the Aspie mannerisms instead of learned NT social mannerisms"
I have the same worry you had, that I might be dignosed as NT. I'm afraid that I've learned too much "social manners" that I'll look too normal @@
Do you have any advice about how to go back to the original me?

 

[Progster]

I just had an interview and that's all, no tests, no questionaires, nothing, though I had done some online tests and gave him the results. My mum was at the interview and he asked her some questions, too. He asked me questions about my life as an adult and as a child. At the end, I was told I had Aspergers and depression. I gave him some very detailed notes I had made, and after two weeks, a written report and diagnosis was sent to me and to my GP.

Don't worry too much about going back to being the original you. Just answer the questions as best and as truthfully as possible. An experienced clinician knows how to elicit symptoms and traits, and can tell if you have ASD or not from the way you answer questions, your reactions, body language, etc, as well at the content of your answers.

 

[Ice Blue Deer]

At least where I live, they don't diagnose anyone with Asperger's anymore, there's only ASS. I was diagnosed with ASS a few days ago.

They interviewed me for 5 hours and within that time I had also taken three tests. I had to look at several pictures and describe what I saw. They were testing theory of mind, imaginary capability and focus on details.

The next test were also pictures, called the TAT-test. I had to imagine and tell stories about the pictures. I also had to say what was going on in the minds of the people on the pictures. They were testing my imagination, relational ability and focus on details.

The third test I had to fill in answers. Questions like:
When I was little ...
Sometimes I think I am ....
I often feel ...

My mother was invited at the next meeting, which took 4 hours to talk about me and my childhood. It sounds like a long time but while you're talking, time really flies.

Don't worry about having learned NT skills, I also have, and they will ask if you copy/look at other people in order to seem normal and stuff, so they will definitely see through that.

 

[artfull dodger]

I was in therapy for other problems I was having, but having trouble applying what she was trying to teach me. So she took a step back and looked at more of my child hood problems combined with my adult struggles and said that this might be Aspergers. So the following session she put me thru some tests, which confirmed that I am Aspie, no doubt about it. Once we started tackling the issues that come from that, sensory intergration/overload issues, empathy or seemingly lack there of ect, then things got much better. This was espicaly true once we involved my wife in a few sessions and got her up to speed about me and Aspergers. While I still struggle with sensory overloads and she sometimes forgets that I process differently, our marriage is a lot more stable than it was. If I have one big regret in life, its that my AS wasnt found sooner, but then when I was struggling thru school, it wasnt even a diagnosis. Mike

 

[Keith]

I used to go to support groups and the psychiatrist who organized one of the groups diagnosed me at about eight. We called it a nonverbal learning disorder when I was in high school. It wasn't until college when we truly started calling it Aspergers.

 

[Shannon Beech]

In my case my mother recommended that I go see a therapist because she was concerned about my lack of social skills and felt it was getting in the way of me find a job in my field. The therapist specialized with ASD, and he interviewed me and my mom, and that's how I was diagnosed.

 

[Xenocity]

I always essentially lacked the abilities to pick up on social cues and other social stuff.
I also had development issues as well.

When I decided to go see the head psychologist at my university medical center, due to severe depression and near total breakdown, I was given the diagnosis.

I literally explained everything and he asked me if I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
So he gave me the information on it and went over it with me after asking me a bunch of questions.
The information was like reading about myself.

So after talking to him, he sent me to the university's disability office, they did an interview with the questions needed to confirm the diagnosis. The interview was done by an autism and AS specialist.

So they confirmed what my psychologist had diagnosis me with.

 

[vanillabuzz]

The replies of your thread mentioned "go back to the Aspie mannerisms instead of learned NT social mannerisms"
I have the same worry you had, that I might be dignosed as NT. I'm afraid that I've learned too much "social manners" that I'll look too normal @@

Do you have any advice about how to go back to the original me?

Personally, I just acted as I am, even with the NT mannerisms I have acquired. Like Ice Blue Deer said, they will see through that. Just tell them all about yourself, why you suspect you may have it, etc. That's what I did, and just answer their questions as truthfully and fully as you can. I understand the fear you have, but I'm sure you will be just fine.

 

[A BROUHAHA]

Funny thing, I kind of fell into it on accident. It all started more or less because of a neuro psych evaluation I received because of a completely different set of problems.

I received the testing, and upon going back to the doctor for review he pointed out that test in concert with some other tests, interviews etc that I had received constructed the profile of someone with autism. Given my career choice and current profession it was recognized it could have the potential for negative impact down the road so it came down to one thing; is it causing you enough difficulty that you require support, or have you adapted well?

He basically said that if I didn't require the support that an official diagnosis wasn't particularly necessary. For me I am satisfied with the unofficial dx, but if you feel there is some sort of support that your government can provide you to compensate for any difficulties you may have, or if simply the official diagnosis provides you the peace 9f mind that you are after then I say it's worth the trouble.

 

[Elemental]

My assessment & diagnosis happened after I heard that my university's student support team were testing to identify dyslexia & other learning disabilities; I studied as a mature student & was experiencing problems. I scored enough on the 'intro 'pointers' questionnaire to warrant the full assessment examination which concluded autistic spectrum with associated learning difficulty. I received a disabled student educational award & some accommodation within the exams because I also had some physical problems when writing; I was allowed to type my papers. I never got any additional support. When confronted by my report's list of symptoms AND an ASD diagnosis, I didn't understand it & thought that the ASD was something in addition to the list of symptoms, which included: sense overload, face blindness, poor co-ordination, unable to judge speeds & distance etc, eternal gullibility etc. I realize now, with the benefit of autism / Asperger's education that these symptoms ARE the ASD I don't know if I have reached full acceptance yet; I certainly went hard out at the denial aspects LOL The tests involved: a background interview, a number of different set tasks & a general knowledge quiz. I don't recall filling in any questionnaires, as presented in the online self tests. I have a re-assessment tomorrow & I am interested in the format as much as the outcome I am seeking re-assessment because I no longer have my original report & it is now unobtainable & whereas before, my diagnosis was not linked to my medical history, it now is.

 

[Peeta]

Got diagnosed 6,5 years ago. I remember answering some questions, talking about how my life had gone up till that point. Sadly I don't remember what the tests were called but I remember these:
- They show a word and I had to explain what the word meant (repeat times 20)
- They showed me drawn pictures and I had to point out what was wrong with them (starting easy e.g. a chair with three legs)
- A sheet of paper with multiple rows of symbols, had to point out which symbol was double (apparently finished it quickest than the doc ever saw)
- Personality like test with stuff like 'I rather sit home alone than be in a group: strongly agree, agree, no opinion etc.'
- Which shape from ABCD matches the above shape best

And some other stuff I don't remember. The next time I dropped by with my then therapist she went 'yeah, pretty obvious you have Aspergers' and I got my official papers confirming it. Wasn't scary at all and I enjoyed it. Hope this helps!

 

[Krafty]

Hi, a starting point might be a free, downloadable (AQ) Autism Spectrum Quotient test: http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc_tests

I took the relevant test and scored fairly high which gave me the self-dignosis of Aspergers. Since I'm high-functioning I don't feel an official Doctor's verdict would help me but this certainly put things in perspective. From here I was able to understand myself a little better and have a way to discuss the condition with my family. Give it a try and see what comes of it.

 

[Chuck2]

I have been wanting to know this information for a few years now. Libecht, I am so glad you started this thread. I have been asking all of the wrong people and the doctors here are uninterested or they tell me there is no test for ASD.

I will be quiet now and continue watching this thread.

 

[SLPAspiemom]

Actually, here in the U.S., "Asperger's" as a diagnosis went "away" this year with the new DSM-V (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). The autism "spectrum" is now being broken out in a different way. That being said, whether you call it Asperger's or the new "Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder" (per DSM-V) what's important is how it affects your ability to function. A diagnosis is important when you are a kid or in school, as a diagnosis is necessary to receive services and/or get insurance to help pay your medical bills. But once you're an adult, an actual diagnosis isn't nearly as important unless you are so disabled that you cannot live independently, or are attending college and need accommodations.
But as far as "how" these things are diagnosed - there are a variety of medical professionals who can diagnosis Autism Spectrum disorders. They include: developmental pediatricians, developmental neurologists, some mental health professionals. As you can see, I'm more familiar with the developmental (pediatric) side of it... But either way, it's mostly about answering lots of questions about yourself, being observed in a variety of interactions, having people who know you answer questions about you and your behaviors, and direct observation by the medical professional (this often happens during the interview and is one of the most important parts of the diagnostic process). It's not scary. It's not invasive (except that they want to know lots of stuff about your life and how you see the world).
Getting a diagnosis for some people, feels like a "label" so instead, they just look at what their symptoms are and deal with each as best they can without putting a gestalt label/name to it.