Quote:
Originally Posted by feralkittymom
I guess this is why I'm confused: it isn't the specialist T that has diagnosed the Aspergers. And it appears that no testing has been done. So now the OP is seeing a specialist T for treatment, yet there appears to be some level of doubt if the Aspergers diagnosis is correct. If the condition is so widely misunderstood, and testing can take away any ambiguity, it seems it would make sense to get tested before starting treatment. Perhaps the results of testing would get the pdoc and caseworker on board with the diagnosis.
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That's the good thing about seeing the specialist. They usually know pretty quickly due to traits that are unique to Aperger's. There are symptoms that exist in many other conditions, but a few that make it more of a sure thing. I had to take my daughter to a specialist right away at the age of 7 because she was exhibiting shizophrenic-like behaviors (delusions, possible hallucinations). The regular pdoc was freaked out. The autism specialist therapist and pdoc were not at all and both immediately dismissed any thought disorder and attributed her behavior to the autism. Then she was tested. It's possible for the testing to be done on an adult, but it may not be as accurate due to any learning or life experience and it may not be covered by insurance. Perhaps that's the hesitation. The testing costs about $2000 and up so it's a big decision.
So, OP, if you don't mind my asking, when were you given your first diagnosis, as a child or an adult? Asperger's is quite different from bipolar and any schizophrenic type disorder, but in children they apparently can look very similar. But, this is the instance where an autism expert would save such a child from misdiagnosis.