Can anyone shed light on diagnosis procedure for older children with ? Aspergers?

[EccentricaGallumbits]

Had a meeting yesterday with DD2s camhs psychologist. I had written down a long list of things that are not right with DD.

DD is nearly 12 and very very good at hiding what is wrong and only really lets rip at home. In school (when she goes) and other places she is fairly 'normal'.

So the camhs woman agreed with me and thinks there may be something in what i was saying. This is the first time any professional type has taken notice despite me asking a variety of paedatricians and teachers over the years.

So she is going to refer DD on to the PDD team to see if they will assess her (although we have a bit of time to decide whether to do this or not).

In some ways a diagnosis ofsome sort might help DD understand why life is so difficult and why she feels different to other people. On the other hand I can imaging her reacting badly and thinking that it is horribly negative and that she is (her words) a freak.

So. any advice about diagnosis?

Any experiences of diagnosing older children?

Any ideas about the process?

[Ilovechristmas]

My son was nearly 12 when diagnosed as AS is hard to diagnose with younger children. He was labeled eccentric, strange, loner etc at school, but for most of it was happy, just a little different, however as he got older, clearly something wasn't right He saw a phychiatrist first at a childrens unit, then a speech therapist and then the head phycologist at a hospital. All 3 got together and made the diagnosis. I never went forward and got him statemented, but in hine sight, wished I had as there are problems now (he is 17) that I may have received more help with, but, he doesnt want people to know about his AS, so it was mainly for him. Hope this helps and good luck with your daughter x

[sarah876]

My case it was the paediatrician and the educational psychologist who got together to make the diagnosis with my history input and that of the school. They asked a series of questions and took a detailed history right from pregnancy. Then it was scored...the scores were then compared with all those involved and they pretty much came out the same.Likely to have Asperger's syndrome.

[sheepgomeep]

We are in a similar situation with 12 yr old ds. Ds already has adhd and now awaiting assessment for HFA/ aspergers.

His dad and I are hoping that a diagnosis will help him cope with things better, by opening up a support network for him. at the moment hes paranoid, hates himself, and wishes he wasn't 'mental'

[AtYourCervix]

hello. that was me nearly 2 years ago under a different name !

we had an 18 month wait for assessment and DD was diagnosed/labeled/confirmed Aspergers last July.

we weren't surprised and nor was DD. I do think it has helped her to understand why she feels odd, different, weird and anxious. it hasn't changed her at all but it goes some way to explaining why.

because she isn't badly affected there is bugger all help available. she's not bad enough for cahms. the label has got her some help at school. they have put her on the sen register and she now has a specific mentor who links up with her regularly, she doesn't have to go to assembly and has a 'time-out card.

she's still a pain in the arse and a stroppy teenager and has tantrums and breaks things, but not that many.

[sheepgomeep]

oh blimey lol, i didnt see the date on the op! This board doesnt seem to get much traffic!

I'm glad things got sorted for your dd and you got a dx. I just hope my ds (if he gets dx) accepts how he is and we all love him, something that he struggles with a lot.

All the best
sheep