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Lighthouse

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Posts posted by Lighthouse

    Autism Evaluation

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Theoretically, a child psych should have enough knowledge to make an accurate assessment.

     

    Just to give him the benefit of the doubt - Did your parents and teachers have to provide written assessments for you prior to the meeting? If so, he may have complied your questionnaire with their information and whatever interactions you had when reviewing "background stuff." Really, he shouldn't have pronounced a diagnostic assessment within 5 minutes of saying hi, because that is just plain rude, but maybe he had already done more homework than you realize.

     

    If you truly disagree with the results, try seeking out a neuro-psychologist or developmental pediatrician for a 2nd opinion.

    My mom did fill out some forms prior, but just their general forms, nothing autism specific. No teachers sent anything in. It's probably not worth it to seek a second opinion anyway. I think social anxiety probably is my bigger problem, even if I do have autism.

    Autism Evaluation

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Well, like the last half hour was telling us the results. I took one anxiety questionnaire before that. At the beginning we went through some background, family history type questions. I think my real problem was that he said I wasn't autistic literally five minutes in because I understood sarcasm.

    Autism Evaluation

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Well that's stinkin unhelpful.  Are you a minor or a legal adult?  And yes, there are psychs who have this personal deity halo they wear and they're very free to buff it, light it up, and say inspired things that are totally, totally preposterous.

     

    What will getting better evals change for you?  What are you trying to make happen?  Do you have someone to go in with you to give a fuller picture or fill out forms?  Are you wanting medications or to get your insurance to pay for counseling?

    I'm a minor. Evals are mainly so that my parents can figure out ways to improve my people skills. Since I'm a minor, my mom comes to fill out forms.

    Autism Evaluation

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted · Edited by Lighthouse

    I had my evaluation for autism today. The whole thing only took like an hour and a half, and the doctor pronounced that I didn't have autism less than five minutes into talking because I can understand sarcasm. Does understanding of sarcasm automatically rule out autism? I had talked to two other professionals before, both of whom suspected autism, and they didn't seem to think it was disqualifying. At the very least, I'd say I'm close to autistic, so I guess I was surprised when five minutes into talking to me the doctor pronounced I didn't have autism because I could understand sarcasm. There wasn't even any testing, so I guess I just thought the whole thing was strange. Oh, and please don't quote, might delete later.

    2e ASD

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Also, the "report from other people" may or may not be needed.

     

    But this often means an observation form where someone is circling numbers 1-5 for 20 questions. Teachers at school fill them out for students routinely.

     

    It is like -- if you ever hear of a teacher filling out a form for ADHD? It would not be very different from that.

     

    Just to say -- that is common and maybe something you have heard of. Teachers also may fill out forms like this (generally) when a student is adjusting medications.

     

    It is common and a lot less involved than I think it sounds!

     

    So I don't think it will be a big deal.

    I assume since they have not asked for a report they, hopefully, don't need one because my teachers would not be able to tell them anything. I've been in a virtual school this year and last year, so they don't know a ton about my behavior. 

    2e ASD

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted

    Here a teacher would not say anything to a student without the parents' permission.

     

    They might try to feel out a parent and then not say anything if the parent seems offended. (In even bringing it up with a parent.)

     

    It is not the norm for teachers to mention things like this.

     

    I get asked (as a parent) whether or not it is okay with me to have the word "autism" used with my son. He is still young but I have heard here that some parents are still not using the word through middle school and then it isn't allowed for someone at school to use it. Parents may allow information and discussion without using the word, or they may say they don't want it discussed at school.

     

    I don't know if that changes in high school or not, I have heard this through middle school age.

    That makes sense, but none of my teachers mentioned anything to my parents either. Even if my parents hadn't told me at the time (which I think they would), they would tell me now since I know what we are pursuing evaluations for anyway. I'm in middle school now, so I wouldn't know if anything changed in high school anyway. I think it is good that people are polite enough to ask if you are comfortable with the word being used around your son. I don't have an official diagnosis, and no one except family members knows we are even pursuing evals, so no one would be asking my parents about that.

    2e ASD

    in The Learning Challenges Board

    Posted · Edited by Lighthouse

    I have some questions about the diagnostic process of high functioning ASD in a younger teen. I have a preliminary diagnosis, and will have a full eval in less than a month.

    1. Is a regular child psychologist able to make this diagnosis? And will someone who specializes in birth through 14, my age, be able to recognize it in someone my age who is also what I would consider a borderline case?

    2. Is it possible for ASD to have had no affect on my grades? And that none of my teachers noticed it?

    3. What is the diagnostic process and how long should it last for? I read on hear that it should be over multiple days. Is this still the case with an older child?

    4. What would be the treatment if I received a diagnosis? I also have a social anxiety disorder diagnosis from the same professional who made a preliminary diagnosis of ASD. I just started medication for that.

    5. Should I consider it a good or bad thing that my symptoms come off much more obviously when in a psychiatric setting? In my daily life it is not nearly as obvious. With the professionals I spoke to previously, I couldn't look them in the eye, talk comfortably, and I even started tearing up, almost crying! There's also the added thing of that this child psychologist I have an appointment with is a man. I, as a girl, am not very comfortable with male doctors. The other two professionals I spoke to were female, so I can't imagine how uncomfortable, fidgety, and unable to keep eye contact I will be.

    6. I also hear on here that you should find someone who specializes in 2e autism or autism in girls. Is this absolutely necessary?

    Thanks in advance for any responses or information you can give me. While I do want to pursue a diagnosis and treatment, I'm also somewhat nervous and unsure of what to expect.

    Eta:7. I've heard on here that they need reports from people other than my parents for a diagnosis. Is this true? They haven't asked for that. I don't think I could get that if they needed it.

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