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Should I get diagnosed for AS? and how?

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jyy124
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30 May 2012, 10:41 am

Hey all, new member here.

Few weeks ago I've finished the book The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood. Everything in that book made sense to me and made me realized that science knows me way better than I know myself. Reading that book, resources on the internet, and this forum, it seems like I have lots in common with the people with aspergers.

So I'm pretty certain that I have asperger's syndrome. Should I still get diagnosed by a professional to be 100% sure?

Is there any directory or listings for professionals specializing in Aspergers near New York City?

Thanks



Blownmind
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30 May 2012, 10:59 am

jyy124 wrote:
So I'm pretty certain that I have asperger's syndrome. Should I still get diagnosed by a professional to be 100% sure?

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt134250.html
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt195379.html
These might help. :)


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mike_br
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30 May 2012, 11:20 am

If you can, go get the diagnosis.
It's helping me a lot on how to deal with myself.



Alfonso12345
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30 May 2012, 11:21 am

One thing I did that was helpful was I researched all of the possible symptoms of Asperger's and then the ones I know I have or have had in the past, since some of them did improve, and put them into a list. A combination of many symptoms means that the possibility is very high, but to be certain, search for the DSM IV TR criteria for diagnosing Asperger's, which is what professionals use for diagnosis.



mike_br
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30 May 2012, 11:23 am

Alfonso12345 wrote:
One thing I did that was helpful was I researched all of the possible symptoms of Asperger's and then the ones I know I have or have had in the past, since some of them did improve, and put them into a list. A combination of many symptoms means that the possibility is very high, but to be certain, search for the DSM IV TR criteria for diagnosing Asperger's, which is what professionals use for diagnosis.


I was actually diagnosed under the ICD-10.
That's what's most used in Brazil.



Alfonso12345
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30 May 2012, 11:24 am

mike_br wrote:
Alfonso12345 wrote:
One thing I did that was helpful was I researched all of the possible symptoms of Asperger's and then the ones I know I have or have had in the past, since some of them did improve, and put them into a list. A combination of many symptoms means that the possibility is very high, but to be certain, search for the DSM IV TR criteria for diagnosing Asperger's, which is what professionals use for diagnosis.


I was actually diagnosed under the ICD-10.
That's what's most used in Brazil.


Well either one would work. Maybe looking at both of them could make a person extra certain.



jyy124
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30 May 2012, 11:44 am

Hey thanks for the replies.

is DSM IV or ICD-10 just a short description of Aspergers or there's more? I've googled for ICD-10 and DSM IV and they seem to be just short descriptions of aspergers syndrome. I've read much more in depth articles and 300+ page books. Still not very sure what you guys meant. Can you post some links?

Also can you guys share what the diagnose is like? Time it takes to get diagnosed? and other things i should know.

Thanks



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30 May 2012, 11:54 am

Alfonso12345 wrote:
mike_br wrote:
Alfonso12345 wrote:
One thing I did that was helpful was I researched all of the possible symptoms of Asperger's and then the ones I know I have or have had in the past, since some of them did improve, and put them into a list. A combination of many symptoms means that the possibility is very high, but to be certain, search for the DSM IV TR criteria for diagnosing Asperger's, which is what professionals use for diagnosis.


I was actually diagnosed under the ICD-10.
That's what's most used in Brazil.


Well either one would work. Maybe looking at both of them could make a person extra certain.


I find the Gillberg Criteria much better for looking at as a non-professional. Professionals do have more information than just the list of traits in the DSM (or ICD), that they work from, and the Gillberg criteria has more specific traits that its asking about.



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30 May 2012, 11:54 am

jyy124 wrote:
is DSM IV or ICD-10 just a short description of Aspergers or there's more? I've googled for ICD-10 and DSM IV and they seem to be just short descriptions of aspergers syndrome.

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/P ... spx?rid=97 (click the tab labeled "DSM-IV")

http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/GRNBOOK.pdf
Quote:
F84.5 Asperger's syndrome
A. A lack of any clinically significant general delay in spoken or receptive language or cognitive development.
Diagnosis requires that single words should have developed by two years of age or earlier and that
communicative phrases be used by three years of age or earlier. Self-help skills, adaptive behaviour and
curiosity about the environment during the first three years should be at a level consistent with normal
intellectual development. However, motor milestones may be somewhat delayed and motor clumsiness is
usual (although not a necessary diagnostic feature). Isolated special skills, often related to abnormal
preoccupations, are common, but are not required for diagnosis.

B. Qualitative abnormalities in reciprocal social interaction (criteria as for autism).

C. An unusually intense circumscribed interest or restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviour,
interests and activities (criteria as for autism; however it would be less usual for these to include either
motor mannerisms or preoccupations with part- objects or non-functional elements of play materials).

D. The disorder is not attributable to the other varieties of pervasive developmental disorder; schizotypal
disorder (F21); simple schizophrenia (F20.6); reactive and disinhibited attachment disorder of childhood
(F94.1 and .2); obsessional personality disorder (F60.5); obsessive-compulsive disorder (F42).


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jyy124
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30 May 2012, 12:03 pm

Thanks, guess those criterias are just short descriptions

that's why i thought I'd wanted to see a professional specializing in AS, not just any medical professional.

I'm really confident that I have aspergers after reading all these materials. I don't see any point in getting diagnosed I guess. I don't really need special help, get labeled, or do I want to be a NT. Reading this forum I realized that there's a ton of people like me.



Alfonso12345
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30 May 2012, 12:16 pm

jyy124 wrote:
Thanks, guess those criterias are just short descriptions

that's why i thought I'd wanted to see a professional specializing in AS, not just any medical professional.

I'm really confident that I have aspergers after reading all these materials. I don't see any point in getting diagnosed I guess. I don't really need special help, get labeled, or do I want to be a NT. Reading this forum I realized that there's a ton of people like me.


I'm glad you have finally found a place where you can fit in because this is a good forum.



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30 May 2012, 3:24 pm

The DSM was created to standardize diagnoses and nothing more. That's why the criteria are so short and to-the-point. It's not necessarily the most 'correct' or most illuminating source of information about what ASDs are. It's more of a guidebook to be used with other knowledge in order to try to ensure that when someone says "Asperger's syndrome" that everyone else s "on the same page" about what that means.



Alfonso12345
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31 May 2012, 12:35 pm

Apple_in_my_Eye wrote:
The DSM was created to standardize diagnoses and nothing more. That's why the criteria are so short and to-the-point. It's not necessarily the most 'correct' or most illuminating source of information about what ASDs are. It's more of a guidebook to be used with other knowledge in order to try to ensure that when someone says "Asperger's syndrome" that everyone else s "on the same page" about what that means.


I guess I just wasn't aware of how many different sources of information were used for diagnosing. Thanks for enlightening me. :)



mike_br
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06 Jun 2012, 2:31 am

jyy124 wrote:
Thanks, guess those criterias are just short descriptions

that's why i thought I'd wanted to see a professional specializing in AS, not just any medical professional.

I'm really confident that I have aspergers after reading all these materials. I don't see any point in getting diagnosed I guess. I don't really need special help, get labeled, or do I want to be a NT. Reading this forum I realized that there's a ton of people like me.


If you're comfortable, doesn't need help and found all your answers with self-evaluation, all that I have to say is: congratulations!

I guess you have all you need, and a place (here) to share your concerns, expectations, victories and losses.

I'm new here, but I give you a welcome anyway :D



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