Current research on the autistic spectrum indicates that many genes are involved in autism/asperger's, therefore that implies that some folks could have several genes which produce symptoms in one area of the triad, and lack genes which produce symptoms in the other two areas of the triad, and so on. In other words, that people can have "loose traits" without really having the "whole thing", to put it most simply.
So then, how can a diagnostician decide if a person being tested for Asperger's Syndrome (which can often be invisible; for example a lot of parents don't know they have it until they have an AS child) has a clinically significant, diagnosable case of it?
Where and how do they draw the line between Asperger's and "not enough symptoms for Asperger's?"
I kinda wish it was more cut-and-dried...
Well as there is no diagnostic test for the genes and all as you likely have at least read on this forum. It is not possible to really fully ever get a concrete answer to your question. Of course, when there is a test if ever found that can look at the genetics and answer your question, then there will also be a significant prenatal test to allow autistics to be aborted. Sometimes ignorance is bliss and one hopes the professional is at least knowledgeable enough about the spectrum to look at it from all facets before deciding to officially diagnosis an individual.
You wonder why some parents go through their lives not knowing they have it till their child is diagnosed? It's because AS wasn't a medical diagnosis till 1994, and most of these parents and all were out of school and all. And that add on the increased media attention and forums like these where parents go to seek understanding of their children.
They draw the line when looking at the DSM-IV and looking at their current diagnostic observation tools like the ADOS and such which looks at all three areas and from there they get a better picture of what areas based on the criteria of the DSM-IV the person does or does not meet.
There is a minority school of psychology that posits the absence of anyone who actually is "normal". Instead, everyone is some level or another of many "disorders". Only when one or more of the "disorders" gets above a fuzzy threshold is the person "diagnosed".
There is a minority school of psychology that posits the absence of anyone who actually is "normal". Instead, everyone is some level or another of many "disorders". Only when one or more of the "disorders" gets above a fuzzy threshold is the person "diagnosed".
More or less, I am just asking how a diagnostician approaches someone who has a lot of traits of Asperger's but doesn't significantly exhibit more "outward" signs such as frequent stimming, lack of self-awareness, etc. I know we don't have any diagnosticians on this forum.. so I am just going to ask for your opinions on my vague questions.
How would a diagnostician decide if there is real impairment going on, as opposed to poor motivation/anxiety problems that the patient hasn't worked on, etc..
I am asking for opinions... I know my question can't ever have a cut-and-dried answer, of any kind. Perhaps just opinions based on personal experience.. For example, those of you who are not "very obvious" Asperger's (I would be one) could tell me what diagnosticians looked for with you, etc..?
I suppose the man who diagnosed me had some advantage because he also had a lengthy "article" I'd written beforehand by me explaining some relatively recent problems I'd had in the workplace plus some older issues.
He said I used "strange logic" and had a very inscrutable expression and didn't seem to focus much on the presence or absence of stims in making his diagnosis.
I suppose the man who diagnosed me had some advantage because he also had a lengthy "article" I'd written beforehand by me explaining some relatively recent problems I'd had in the workplace plus some older issues.
He said I used "strange logic" and had a very inscrutable expression and didn't seem to focus much on the presence or absence of stims in making his diagnosis.
I have tons of writings stored from almost any point in time past the 9th grade of high school, apart even from school papers. I was a creative writer and certainly my logic is quite strange: when I got to 11th and 12th grade (when I was put in a program for emotional support) the teachers agreed I had an "unusual talent" for writing, and I often used words in interesting and idiosyncratic ways. The funny thing is despite the many verbal gifts of mine, I had a lot of trouble putting together coherent essays, and so on.
I could provide any number of materials to a diagnostician, but the question is, what materials specifically?
I do believe I have the results from an IQ test I took in 9th grade, where the test-giver found a "strange contradiction" with something (can't remember what).. I wonder if this would be of use.