How do I go about getting a diagnosis for a suspected Aspie kid?

[Sue G in PA]

Okay, we're nearly 100% sure our ds6 has Aspergers...you've no doubt heard me speak of him before. We've not had him formally diagnosed. Thought we could go it alone b/c he wasn't "that bad". Well, he's getting worse and today's meltdown proved it. There is probably more to it than simply AS as well. We've suspected bi-polar for a while now. Our family doc has as much as said she doesn't have much experience with AS or bi-polar. Some have mentioned DAN! Dr.s. Can I go to one and get a diagnosis there? It's all so overwhelming to me. Baby #7 due any day/week and I just can't fathom all the dr. visits this could entail not to mention therapy. We live so out of the way that most dr.'s are an hour away (minimum). What will I do if he needs therapy 2x a week or more? The gas alone would bankrupt us! Okay, first things first...back to my first question...how do I go about getting him diagnosed? TIA

[JennW in SoCal]

Ask your pediatrician for a referral for formal testing, perhaps a neurologist or an educational psychologist. We went to an educational psychologist for my ds's testing. It isn't cheap, but your insurance might cover some of it.

 

I saw your post on the general board, and while I "recognized" you, I don't remember reading about your ds before tonight. Based solely on your story of your lousy afternoon out, my impression was that he is a kid who doesn't deal with change with any kind of grace -- an understatement, I know! I've got an Aspie, so I've had to cope with helping my ds cope with change. With a baby on the way your ds is facing *huge* changes in his routine, and he will have a hard time with his impulse control. Since you'll likely not be able to start dealing with any kind of testing for a few months with the birth of your new little one, you could help things out by creating and keeping as much of a routine as humanly possible (new baby? lots of young kids? routine? Am I crazy or what!!). Give the kid as much warning as possible about what is coming next, don't take him places that might trigger a tantrum -- like the video game aisle, and tell him you love him and won't let him hurt anyone as you know he doesn't want to hurt anyone. Have you ever written schedules for him? Do you rehearse what to expect during outtings?

 

Your ds may also be going through a small developmental spurt that is making him more prone to tantrums. I now my son had ups and downs all the way through puberty, though I was fortunate that he never was violent.

 

It must feel so overwhelming and I'm sure my advice seems totally inadequate! But call on Monday to get that referral, and at least you can rest your mind that you've taken the first steps.

 

{{{{{big hug!}}}}}

[Sue G in PA]

Ds6 is prone to these sort of outburst, but usually NOT in public. AND, never this violent before (the kicking, hitting, breaking things, etc.). If I call my ped., she'll want to see him first (big pain in the you-know-what b/c she's an hour away) even though we've had this discussion before about him. Typical dr. So...I'm going to have to wait until after the birth or perhaps have him seen when I have the newborn seen. Thanks for your advice. We do try to stay away from his known "triggers" but it seems like his triggers are multiplying. Who would have known about the game aisle? Anyway, thanks again for your advice.

[Whisperlily]

It would be a good idea to get an evaluation. I recommend seeing if your ped. will refer you to a psychiatrist. We're still digging through a lot of this ourselves, with my DS (whose birthday is today! He's 9). We're taking things one at a time as we can. So far, we've found that he's definitely ADHD. We did come to terms with giving meds (after years and years of being anti-med and trying everything else.) It really does help *some things* and has made a big difference in his self-control.

 

I know he has sensory issues, and after discussing them with my pediatrician, he said that the techniques I was instinctively using to help him with some of his problems were VERY like what a therapist would have done. Also, describing some of the social coping techniques I was using to help him had him nodding his head and telling me again, that's what a therapist would have been doing. Because these was not our first, most obvious issue, they have sort-of slipped to the back burner while we deal with the ADHD/impulsivity etc.

 

We just started seeing this psychiatrist and she is wonderful. I'm hoping we can talk about some of these other issues soon.

 

The earlier the intervention, the better chance of success later in life.

[Mama Bear]

Ds6 is prone to these sort of outburst, but usually NOT in public. AND, never this violent before (the kicking, hitting, breaking things, etc.). If I call my ped., she'll want to see him first (big pain in the you-know-what b/c she's an hour away) even though we've had this discussion before about him. Typical dr. So...I'm going to have to wait until after the birth or perhaps have him seen when I have the newborn seen. Thanks for your advice. We do try to stay away from his known "triggers" but it seems like his triggers are multiplying. Who would have known about the game aisle? Anyway, thanks again for your advice.

 

 

So much of this sounds like what a firend describes in her (tentatively diagnosed) bi-polar kiddo. No matter what it is, it ain't easy, is it? :grouphug:

 

Have you tried leaving a message with a nurse there about this? As in: We've already discussed this, doc says she's not an expert, I'm an hour away, having a baby any minute, I'd like a referral to a pediatric neuro-psych person. Please. Thank you.

 

This kind of thing usually works well with my pediatrician. She's familiar with us (how many hsing families of 5 with a disabled baby are there? ;) ), supports the stuff I'm doing with the kids and is generally quite helpful but sticks to her guns if she thinks I'm off base.

 

Good for you fo being willing to do this. Evals sound all scary and create lots of anxiety for lots of people, but they're such a good source of info. Having a toolbox full of good, appropriate, functioning tools to apply to kids with special needs is such a relief.

 

Blessings as you wait for the newest and work on things with your hardest.