Another question for those officially diagnosed (as adults!)

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For those of you who went through a full evaluation in your adult years (I know teens are older, but still I would prefer input from adults as teens are still technically treated like children in some ways during these kind of processes). Anyway, I am wondering, did your parents have to go in for an interview as well. I just turned 27 today, and had a phone call with the psych who will evaluate me (I already have a diagnosis, I am just going for the more complete evaluation) and she said she would prefer if one of my parents would consent to come in for an interview. I don't know why, but I am a bit worried about this. Was that a requirement for you as well? If so, were you present at this interview? Also, what kinds of questions were your parents asked?

I have not personally, but I have read accounts by many who did have their parents go in as well. Also, those who could not for some reason have their parents involved who could not get a diagnosis.

My parents were both deceased at the time of my diagnosis and it was still made.

~Kate

Same here.

However, my wife came to the follow-up session, and the psychologist had her complete the AQ Test about me.

my parents both went in when i was re-evaluated, but i don't think it would have made a difference for the diagnosis. i think they may just want a more objective view from someone who knows you well.

That seems strange. A lot of the AQ questions are about one's thoughts, which might not be apparent to even those close to us. I don't think my parents could accurately answer anything but the obvious outward questions of the AQ for me...just guess.

My mother is asked to go in for an interview as well, they say it is essential for the assessment. Today is the day when I pass in my application, my parents had to fill in a 45 page form in advance.

I'm seperated from my parents, so they weren't at all involved in my diagnosis. The clinic would have liked it if they were, but they understood that it wasn't appropriate or possible. Nor was my partner, or any friends. My diagnosis went ahead without a glitch. Unfortunately, not all clinics are like this. :/

The psychologist interviewed both of my parents and one of my old siblings by telephone - they are in a different country. He spoke with each of them a couple of times, and completed some questionnaires over the phone.

He said it was helpful to know about developmental milestones, relationship-forming and styles of play. He said a definitive diagnosis of a pervasive developmental disorder is not easy without the recollection of contemporary information about development.

I am going through it now. I got my Pych to print out questions for a child and gave it my mutter and said it was a study on families of LFA's. The phyc didn't need it or my speechie. Apparently I am very obviously at least an ASPIE. They are actually thinking HFA least.

One of the things that really helped though was the fact that the only thing i talked about until school age was maps and patterns which my mutter put in her paperwork.

I hope not. My parents are not in this country and they know nothing about autism. They think all mental problems are depression that can be cured by finding a better job and making more friends. I'll probably bring my husband. We've been together for 16 years and that should be enough evidence.

Parents remember more of what you were like as a child and it's an objective view too. My mum was at my interview/assessment too. It's not compulsory but it does help to have their input.

I am estranged from my family so no parental interviews were involved, but I was still able to get a DX. Are your parents supportive? Your relationship with them has a lot to do with how productive their involvement will be.

It doesn't work that way, I'm afraid. Parents are anything but objective.

"My child couldn't possibly be one of those! There's nothing wrong with my angel! NOTHING!"

..Is a pretty common parental narrative when they hear about the possibility.

Same here... Both deceased for over 20 years in fact, at the time of my diagnosis.

I don't understand why the doctor would require that interview; either you meet the criteria or you don't, as far as the diagnosis goes.

Charles

My parents have overcome this quickly. We talked about AS (I avoided name usage) on several occasions, they have become more involved in it, we have filled in the lengthy form, it took a month, but in the end I know without the result of my application for dx this time was spent well.