We had DS assessed for Asperger's today. Can anyone talk to me about our results?

[myredcardigan]

Hi. I've been worrying about DS (5) for a while now and today we had him assessed for AS. It was a private assessment by a clinical psychologist recommended by NAS.

Anyway, he was observed in school this morning then at home this afternoon. So the verbal feedback is that yes, he has traits, a few severe (social) and others mild (mildly rigid play) but not enough to diagnose. He basically said to get him assessed again in 18mths. I just don't know where to go from here. I'm emotionally shattered as it's almost as if the uncertainty is worse than actual confirmation.

The psych gave us a run down of the traits he displayed and then points which as positive and I just don't know what to make of the information.

Has anyone else been for assessment and had such ambiguous results? Can anyone talk to me about our results as I'm sitting here in tears not knowing where to go from here. Ok,rundown;

Worrying points: (as mentioned by psych)
-No interaction with peers whatsoever at school although much better on a one to one play date.
-Covers his eyes and retreats to the corner when pushed to join in at school.
-Seems unable to initiate conversation.
-Excellent long term memory.
-Hand flaps and hand wrings when very distressed.
-Although his play is very varied and imaginative he always wants to be in control. Friends/sisters have to follow orders.
-Horrendous sleeper.
-He struggles to ride his bike and does not enjoy team sports.

Positive points:

-No ritual behaviour
-No need for routine although he does do better socially if prepped.
-He has no sensory issues.
-Lots of joint attention. He shares/shows what he has done. Points things of interest out. He pointed before his 1st birthday BTW
-Lots of original pretend play. He enjoys dressing up, having tea parties etc. It is imaginative rather than copied.
-Always wants to play with others at home rather than by himself.
-Enjoys board games and has no problem taking turns or when he loses.
-He enjoys rough and tumble. Also running/walking/climbing. He loves play centres and is not distressed by them at all.

The clinical psychologist couldn't even give me an indication of whether it would get worse. In fact he said sometimes it does, other times the symptoms subside.

I just don't know what any of it means and what to do now. Sorry this is long. Thanks for reading.

Thanks amber, not cheap then
Why would you have to pay for this? Why not an nhs paed?

Depends on a) whether there's any diagnostic people in the area for that age group and b) whether you need something done very fast.

In my case, I was already an adult, and didn't originally want it on the GP records until I'd had a proper chance to think about it. And the nearest NHS person would have been a very very long wait and a very very long distance away. For children, I think the service can be a lot faster and better but for adults there's almost no diagnostic people anywhere.

Sorry, swimming with the DDs this afternoon so haven't been on.

Lovesdogsandcats, our assessment cost £750 for a clinical psychologist and that covered a full day with us and a 10page written report (which I haven't had yet) He was recommended to us by the NAS. We went private because of the huge waiting times involved in an NHS referral here. I was due to see the HV this morning but she was off sick so hopefully next week. I will ask her to refer us too just to be in the system.

I'm feeling less tearful today and more philosophical about it all. I guess waiting is all there is to be done. I at least thought I'd spend £750 and get an answer!

Plus if your NHS paed is anti labelling and refuses to DX until older but you need to get a useful report quickly for eg school statements, DLA etc.