How to get a clear diagnosis

[sharonmac]

My son who is 8 year's old is now being screened at the school he goes to and he may have Asperger's syndrome.  We are going to follow up with a developmental neuropsychologist.  Can anyone recommend someone in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area?  I am having trouble finding people who do more than just read the DSM-IV.  My son clearly has issues of anxiety, social skills, does innapropriate behaviors to kids at school (hugging, kissing, grabbing) and has difficulty with school (he hates it.) He also has fears and trouble getting thoughts out of his mind.  But he still is in main stream school in second grade.  How did the diagnostic process work for others of you?

[SheilaRShackelford]

I would also contact the Autism Society; I did put the web site below. Good Luck and have patience.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

[William L. Holcomb, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

Following up with neuropsycholoigst is certainly a good idea.  I recommend that you Try to find a neurophyschologist who specializes in (i.e., has seen a lot of children with) Asperger’s Disorder.  Also, coincidentally I know a pediatric neurologist in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Dr. Steve Janousek, and I asked for his opinion.  Steve told me he would be glad to see any child with the question of whether their behavioral tendency has something other than a constitutional basis. He said that he would first see whether cerebral imaging, EEG, metabolic and/or genetic testing would be potentially revealing. He also mentioned that he may have something to offer the family with regard to navigating life with a “special needs” child. (His number for an appointment is: 612-879-1507 and he said to ask for nurse Beth).  

[MaryannesMom]

It is hard to find doctors who truly understand Asperger's.  My daughter's pediatrician mentioned it & we started researching it & it was like, "Wow--so that is it!"  We had been homeschooling, so we went to the school for testing with the attitude that we knew this was it.  They agreed.  As far as finding doctors to actually help, that has been not happening for us.  Our daugther is 10 & we have been to many drs., support groups, seminars, & read every book under the sun.  All the books point out the behaviors my daugther exhibits, but I've yet to find one that actually helps us deal with it.