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Asperger autism

Is it possible for an ex special ed teacher to test daughter for asperger autism? She was diagnosed with adhd, but from observing her, she doesn't display all features, more features of asperger. I've spent well over 1000 dollars for a misdiagnosis. I've read that the testing for asperger is a questionarre, and can get them via internet, by down loading? Concerned mother Susan


This discussion is related to asperges syndrome.
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325405 tn?1262290178
Is there any problem with having friends outside of her peer level?  When I lived in Florida when I was in my late 20s, most of my friends were in their 60s.  Having a child now, most of my friends are my age, but I get along best with people my parent's age (there are several in our neighborhood who are retired who babysit their grandchildren while the parents are at work).  I see no problem with interacting outside the peer level.  Having friends any age is better than having no friends at all.  If she's interacting with people younger than she is, I guess the only concern is that she's like appropriately interacting with them if they are under age 18.  I mean some parents can freak out and wonder why their child is friends with someone who is 21.  I know in many churches, youth groups for teens also include people in college and slightly beyond (some the age is teens through age 25).  

ADHD can have overlapping symptoms with autistic traits.  I was diagnosed with ADD in college and have sensory processing issues since I was a child (never went through therapy for either).  I also was diagnosed with mild OCD by a doctor a few years ago.  I think that's a laugh, though because I have a sister who is probably a lot more than mild OCD who hasn't been diagnosed (she cleans her house every single day, including dusting, mopping the floor and wiping down all the counters, plus she has to have things done in certain orders and in certain ways).  She says she watches the show "Monk" because "Monk" makes her feel a little more normal since he's got major OCD.  My sister also had sensory processing issues and a language processing disorder that she had to go through speech/language therapy from around the age of 4 through 4th grade or so.  She went to a small private college that had a class size of 100 students (about 400 students undergraduate).  She coudl test well on written but not on multiple choice things.  The smaller class sizes and student body helped her adjust to college life.  Well, anyways, I don't know if your daughter is considering college at some point, but there are options out there.  If she does ever get a diagnosis, even just having the ADHD diagnosis, she'd get special help from many colleges (not all, so it's something you'd have to look into).  Having a diagnosis of aspergers might help her to get job training.  Unless she's happy cleaning houses.  If she's happy doing what she's doing and doesn't want to go to college and doesn't want to change her career, maybe being where she is and doign what she's doing is okay for her?  

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Avatar universal
Thanks, your info helped somewhat. My daughter is now 21 and was diagnosed with adhd at 19. We live in the usa. Problem is she has no insurance, and for a diagnosis, it is several thousand.If there is no cure I figure why bother. She functions as an adult, cleaning houses with me, and has her own space. Just get concerned with her lack of friends on her peer level.She has obsessive traits about her car, house, anything that belongs to her. I can't even ride in her car, she is always afraid of me scratching it or something. I've read that ocd is sometimes a symptom or asperger. emily 1914
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470168 tn?1237471245
What country are you posting from?
You can google the DSM IV criteria for Aspergers to see what behaviours the professionals are looking for.  But getting a diagnosis should be free if you go through your GP or daughters paediatrician.  A Special Ed teacher will be able to look at certain criteria for Aspergers and may/may not identify which of her behaviours are down to Aspergers, but she is not a professional who is experienced in diagnosing this disorder.  However, as you have a diagnosis you are not completely happy about, it might be (?) useful evidence if she is doing this in her position through your daughter's school.  
I also wanted to add that it is very common for children to have traits of both and/or other disorders.  I think sometimes their tends to be a blur between the two when looking at issues of focus/attention and impulsiveness.  
But for a diagnosis a number of professionals should be involved in assessing your daughter.  She will need to be seen by a Speech and Language Therapist to see what her language and social skills are like.  She will also typically be seen by a clinical psychologist and maybe a neurologist.  If your daughter also has sensory issues or sensory integration disorder, then an Occupational Therapist should  also be involved.  There are also other disorders that are common with those on the spectrum such as Executive Function Disorder, Semantic Pragmatic Speech Disorder, Irlen Syndrome, Auditory Processing Disorder to name a few.  Every child is different with different aspects of the disorder being more dominant and with aspects of other disorders as well.  So, it isn't as easy as completing a questionnaire, although it is a starting point.
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