Test for Asperger's

Asperger's Syndrome, now called autism spectrum disorder, level 1 in the DSM-V, affects a person's ability to communicate and socialize. People with Asperger's have medium to high IQs and may achieve great success in life, but they struggle with social awkwardness and limited nonverbal communication skills. The symptoms of Asperger's are shared by people with a range of other disorders, so it can be tricky to diagnose.

Steps

Recognizing the Signs

  1. Look for unusual nonverbal communication skills. Starting from early childhood, people with Asperger’s exhibit marked differences in the way they communicate. These differences are the most noticeable symptoms, especially during childhood, before they have been taught tools they can use to communicate more effectively.[1] Look for the following differences in communication style:
    • A tendency to avoid eye contact.[2]
    • Limited use of varying facial expressions, and/or monotone voice.
    • Limited use of expressive body language, such as hand gestures and nodding.
  2. Watch for signs of selective mutism. Selective mutism is when someone speaks only to those with whom he feels comfortable, and stays silent around everyone else. This is common among people with Asperger’s. They may speak openly with their parents and siblings, but stay silent at school and around people they don't know very well. In many cases, selective mutism can be overcome later in life.[3]
    • Sometimes people find it difficult or impossible to speak during sensory overload, a meltdown, or in general. This may not necessarily be selective mutism; however, it is also a symptom of Asperger's Syndrome.
  3. Determine if the person has trouble reading the social cues of others. A person with Asperger’s may have difficulty imagining how others feel, and difficulty picking up on nonverbal cues. She may be confused about facial expressions or body language that conveys happiness, sadness, fear, or pain. Here are some ways this difficulty might manifest itself:
    • The person might not recognize when she has said something hurtful, or when she’s making someone uncomfortable in a conversation.
    • A child might play too rough, not realizing that pushing or other aggressive physical contact can be painful.
    • The person constantly asks about people's feelings (e.g. "Are you sad?" "Are you sure that you're tired?") because she isn't sure how the other person feels. If the other person answers dishonestly, she may become very confused and try to seek an honest answer instead of letting it be.
    • The person will act very surprised, sad, and apologetic when told that her actions were inappropriate. It seems that she had absolutely no idea. She may feel worse than the person whose feelings were hurt.
  4. Notice one-sided conversations. Individuals with Asperger's may not always know how to maintain a back-and-forth conversation, especially when it comes to subjects of interest to them, or moral topics like human rights. He might become so wound up in the subject matter that he misses signs that the person he's talking to has something to say or is bored with the conversation.[4]
    • Some people with Asperger’s realize that they monopolize conversations sometimes, and are thus afraid to talk about their interests at all. If someone is hesitant to talk about his favorite subject, and seems to expect the other person to get upset or bored with him, then he may be trying to suppress this impulse for fear of social repercussions.
  5. See if the person has intense passions. Many people with Asperger's take a special, almost obsessive interest in a few subjects. For example, a person with Asperger’s who is interested in baseball might memorize the name and stats of every player on every Major League team. Other people with Asperger’s might love writing, writing novels and spouting nuanced writing advice from a young age. Later in life, these passions can develop into successful and enjoyable careers.[5]
  6. See if the person has trouble making friends. People with Asperger’s may have trouble making friends, since they have a hard time communicating effectively. Many people with Asperger’s want to make friends with others, but lack the social skills to do so. Their avoidance of eye contact and awkward conversation attempts can be misread as rudeness or being antisocial, when really they would like to get to know people better.[6]
    • Some people with Asperger’s, especially young children, may not demonstrate an interest in interacting with others. This usually changes as they age, and they develop the desire to get along and fit in with a group.
    • People with Asperger's might end up with just a few close friends who really understand them, or they may surround themselves with acquaintances they don't connect with on a deep level.
    • People with autism are more likely to be bullied, and Discern Friends from Foes As an Autistic Person.
  7. Notice the person's physical coordination. People with Asperger's often lack coordination skills, and may be a little clumsy. They might often trip or bump into walls and furniture. They may not excel at performing heavy physical activity or sports.[7]

Confirming the Diagnosis

  1. Read up on Asperger's Syndrome to help you make decisions. Medical and psychological researchers are still in the process of learning how to correctly diagnose the disorder, as well as how it should be treated. You are likely to see different doctors and therapists take different approaches to treatment, and that can be very confusing. Reading up on your own will help you better understand the varying approaches and make decisions as to which ones are best for you or your family member.
    • Read things written by people with autism. There is a lot of misinformation about autism, and people with autism can offer the deepest insight about how it works and which treatments are the most effective. Read literature from autism-friendly organizations.
    • Organizations like the National Autistic Society or MAAP publish up-to-date information about diagnosing, treating and living with Asperger's.[8]
    • Reading a book written by someone with Asperger's about that experience is a good way to get insight into the disorder. Try Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate by Cynthia Kim or Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking, an anthology of essays by autistic writers.
  2. Keep a diary of symptoms you observe. Everyone exhibits social awkwardness and some of the other symptoms of Asperger's from time to time, but if you keep a diary and take note of each instance, you'll start to pick up on patterns. If the person really does have Asperger's, you're likely to see the same symptoms happening again and again, not just once or twice.
    • Write down detailed descriptions of what you observe. That way, you'll be able to give potential doctors and therapists as much information as possible to help get a correct diagnosis.
    • Keep in mind that many symptoms of Asperger's are shared by other disorders, like OCD or ADHD. It's important to be open to the possibility that it's something else (or multiple things), so this person can receive the right kind of treatment.
  3. Take an online test. There are several online tests designed to determine whether a person might have Asperger's. The test taker is asked a series of questions related to their social activities, favorite ways to spend time, and strengths and weaknesses to see if the common symptoms of Asperger's seem to be present.[9]
    • The results of an online test for Asperger's syndrome are in no way the same as a diagnosis. Rather, it's a way to determine whether further testing might be necessary. If the test reveals a tendency towards autism, you might want to make an appointment with the family doctor to find out more.
  4. Get your family doctor's opinion. After you've taken an online test and you're reasonably sure that a disability is present, start by making an appointment with your general practitioner. Bring your symptom journal and share your concerns. The doctor will likely ask you a series of questions and ask you to elaborate on the specifics. If the doctor shares your feeling that Asperger's or another developmental disability might be at play, ask for a referral to a specialist.[10]
    • Having that first conversation with a professional can be an intense experience. Thus far, you may have kept your concerns mostly private. Sharing them with a doctor might change everything. But whether the person you're concerned about is yourself or your child, you're doing the right thing by acting instead of ignoring what you've observed.
  5. See a specialist for a full evaluation. Before the appointment, do research on the psychiatrist or psychologist to whom you are referred. Make sure the person specializes in working the autism spectrum. The appointment will probably consist of an interview and a test with questions similar to the questions on the online tests. Once a diagnosis is given, the specialist will give recommendations as to how to proceed.[11][12]
    • During your meeting, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions about the person's experience, diagnosis and treatment approach.
    • If you aren't completely confident that the diagnosis is correct, seek a second opinion.

Taking the Next Steps

  1. Work with a team of professionals you trust. Dealing with Asperger's requires a multi-pronged approach with teachers, caretakers, physicians, and therapists. It's very important to get outside help from experienced and compassionate professionals. First and foremost, find a psychologist or therapist you connect with and trust – someone you'll be glad to have in your life for years to come as you work through the challenges that accompany autism.[13]
    • If something feels off or uncomfortable after a few therapy sessions, don't hesitate to find someone who's a better match for you or your child. Trust is an important element when it comes to treating Asperger's.
    • In addition to finding a trusted therapist, you might want the insight of specialized educators, nutritionists, and other professionals who can help you navigate the special needs of you or your child.
    • Never go to a specialist who supports Quiet Hands, uses corporal punishment, physically restrains people, withholds food, insists that "a little crying" (panic) is normal, doesn't allow you to monitor the session, or supports organizations that the autistic community considers destructive. People with autism can develop PTSD from this treatment.[14][15][16]
    • In general, if the person with autism enjoys the therapy and looks forward to going, then it's probably good. If he seems more anxious, disobedient, or panicked, then it's probably hurting instead of helping.[17]
  2. Seek out emotional support. Living as a person with autism can be challenging, and learning to cope can be a lifelong process. In addition to meeting with doctors and therapists to figure out the best course of treatment, consider seeking support from the Autism NOW, ASAN, or a local Asperger's support group. Find people you can call when you have questions, or when you just need someone to talk to who understands what you're going through.
    • Do an online search for Asperger's support groups in your town. There may be one associated with the schools in your area.
    • Consider attending a conference put on by the US Autism and Asperger's Association,[18] ASAN, or another prominent group. You'll gain access to a wealth of resources, learn about cutting-edge treatment methodologies, and meet people with whom you might want to keep in touch.
    • Join an organization run for and by people with autism, such as ASAN or the Autism Women's Network. You can meet other people with autism while making a positive difference in the world.
  3. Organize your life to meet your unique needs. People with Asperger’s face more challenges than neurotypicals, especially in the arena of social interaction. However, people with Asperger’s can have full, wonderful relationships – many marry and have children – and highly successful careers. Being mindful of the person's unique needs, helping her overcome her setbacks and celebrating her strengths can give her the best chance to have a fulfilling life.
    • One essential way to make life better for a person with Asperger's is to have a routine you stick to, since this can help her feel more secure. When you do have to switch things up, take the time to explain exactly why so the person understands.
    • Modeling social skills for someone with Asperger's can help her learn by example. For example, you can teach the person to say hello and shake hands while making eye contact. The therapist you work with will give you the right tools to do this effectively.[19]
    • Celebrating the person's passion and allowing her to run with it is a good way to support someone with Asperger's. Nurture the person's interest and help her excel at it.
    • Show the person that you love her and her autism too. The best gift to give a person with Asperger’s is accepting her for who she is.

Tips

  • When telling people about your disability, it might be beneficial to explain the symptoms that affect you most, and add that these symptoms are especially intense for people with Asperger’s. (For example, everyone makes social mistakes sometimes, but people with Asperger’s do it more often.)
  • Offer to share some links to articles. Read through the blogs of autistic writers, find your favorite articles, and bookmark them so that you can email or print them for curious people. This might be useful for people who aren't experienced with developmentally disabled people, who are curious, or who are giving you a hard time due to ignorance.
  • If you think you or someone else has Asperger's, look for the symptoms, do multiple online tests, and do research.

Warnings

  • Asperger's syndrome may be coupled with other disabilities, including OCD, anxiety, epilepsy, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, etc. If you suspect you have any of these disorders, bring it to the attention of someone close, or a medical consultant.
  • If people refuse to believe you, do not give up. Asperger's Syndrome is a neurological difference that should be diagnosed and supported accordingly, and consulting a medical advisor is vital.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/?pageId=472
  3. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861522/
  4. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/aspergers-syndrome/
  5. ↑ https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/asp.html
  6. ↑ http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/Making-and-Keeping-Friends-A-Model-for-Social-Skills-Instruction
  7. ↑ http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/asperger.html
  8. ↑ http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/Home.aspx
  9. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/autism.htm
  10. ↑ http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-diagnosis/diagnosis-information-for-adults/how-do-i-get-a-diagnosis.aspx
  11. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-aspergers-disorder-is-diagnosed/
  12. ↑ http://www.aane.org/about_asperger_syndrome/asperger_syndrome_diagnosis_adults.html
  13. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/basics/definition/con-20021148?reDate=28092015
  14. ↑ Unstrange Mind: ABA When is your child fine, and when do you need to worry?
  15. ↑ Quiet Hands by Julia Bascom
  16. ↑ What Does Helpful vs. Harmful Therapy Look Like?
  17. ↑ An Open Letter to Families Considering Intensive Behavioral Therapy for their Child with Autism
  18. ↑ http://www.usautism.org/
  19. ↑ http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-coping-with-asperger-syndrome

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