how is aspergers / autism diagnosed?

Answer 1

ASPERGER'S DISORDER

A.Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B.Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C.The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D.There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years).

E.There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

F.Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.


for autism follow this link:http://www.peninsulautism.org/factsheet.htm

Answer 2

As someone who actually HAS Asperger's Syndrome and has been diagnosed, the best way to determine whether or not you have it is first, to do research on the condition. And I mean, in-depth research. After that, if you still believe you may have it, I would search for an autism spectrum specialist in your area. You want to go to someone who deals with AS fairly regularily - NOT a psych, half the time the psychs are not very knowledgeable about Asperger's Syndrome, seeing as it was only recognized about 10 years ago.

Usually, the specialist will get a case history and talk with you over the course of a few sessions to determine whether or not you exhibit characteristics of an autistic spectrum disorder.


I am assuming you are asking for someone who is an adult - getting it diagnosed as an adult is generally harder than for a child, and all the 'team of trained professionals' crap really doesn't apply in such a case. It's also important to keep in mind that NOT ALL ASPIES EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS OR TO THE SAME DEGREE OF SEVERITY. The vast majority of people with AS will go through their life without ever being diagnosed.

You should also check out autistics.org for more information - it's a site actually run BY people with autistic spectrum disorders - you'll find our perspective will be a lot different than that of 'medical professionals' and TV ads who will try to tell you crap like 'autism stole my child away' and that we're incomplete persons.

Answer 3

Here in California there is a manual called "The BEST practices for diagnosing and treating Autsism Spectrum Disorder" Part of what it says is that there needs to be a multi-disciplinary team, which usually includes a clinical psychologist, a behavior specialist, a speech therapist, and a teacher or specilaist who completes a full developmental assessment (which is what I do) and a person in the medical field to rule out any medical problems. The child may receive some assessments in their home or school but will be diagnosed when the clinic or psych testing occurs. I work with very young children and we usually use the ADOS, to do the actual autism assessment. The DSM-IV gives the specific criteria for diagnosing this disorder. I see someone has included that criteria in their answer above, but not all the criteria needs to be met, just a certain amount of them. E-mail me if you have any additional questions.

Answer 4

Hi i work with people with autism / aspergers and there condition has been diagnosed as part of a multi-disiplinary team including; psychologists clinical and educational, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, taking into account views / reports from teachers / carers / parents etc. The GP also has close imput, along with paediatritions (sp?) if appropriate.

carla x

Answer 5

the Dr will run few tests then refer you