BusynMember
Well-Known Member
Sonic has been evaluated by two NeuroPsychs that came up with the same diagnosis. We won't go into how angry I am that he had a "bipolar" diagnosis. for three years and was one heavy medication. That's in the past. Sonic is now almost 18 and a junior in high school. This is how the diagnosis was received, and the NeuroPsychs suggestions. Sonic agreed with everything he said.
1/The neuropsychologist explained that the tests for autistic spectrum disorder and really very conclusive and Sonic was tested in three separate tests as well as given tons of function tests and observation. After his going over the various autism tests, I think they are very thorough and probably accurate as well. Until today I had no idea what was asked on the tests.
I digress. Sonic's early and incorrect ADHD diagnoses was also wiped away because he did GREAT on the ADHD test they give the kids (it's a computerized test...I think it's called TOVA). He actually exceeded attention span expectations for a seventeen year old teenager and, throughout his testing, showed an excellent attention span.
Every test he was given, in spite of his great verbal skills, showed autism. He *does* have a great vocabulary, but does not really really have give-and-take conversations. He is prone to interrupting with his own thought and interests and to go off topic which, again, is not "typical" for a teenager of seventeen. He simply can not explain an abstract though.
His life skills/executive functions were very low. Executive functioning is important in day-to-day function and decision making. No surprise to us, he had trouble there.
A LOL...when asked if he wanted to get married he said, "I'm not sure." When asked why people get married, he said, "I have no idea." We all laughed when we were given this answer.
Again, though, a seventeen year old boy should undestand people enough to take a few guesses on why people marry.
His thinking is very concrete and changes are bad for him. He can excel at one task at a time, but when other tasks are added, he can do it...but he is extremlyyyyyyyyyyy slow for his age.
The bottom line is that, when we told the doctors when he was two that we thought he was presenting with autism and they told us "No way, his eye contact is too good, he would be huddling in a corner in fetal positions...blah blah" they were wrong and did a big disservice to Sonic.
On the plus side he will get the adult services that he needs, including special job placement and social security and either assisted living or a group home...we are not sure where he would do best. He has no real interest yet of being independent and will live with us for quite a while more, but we can't live forever...we want him settled before we get TOO old.
Sonic will also probably do high school until he is twenty-one, but we're leaving that up to him.
It was recommended that we get guardianship of Sonic and we are going to do it. Sonic himself agreed with that. Meanwhile we are going to find resources outside of the home to try to teach him how to live alone...just in case he has to. Sonic admitted in the testing that he worried that, when living alone, he'd had trouble paying the bills and rent. And he would.
Sonic's diagnosis. will be:
1/ Autism (he is not going to nitpick about Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified or Aspergers...he said just autism will help him the most).
2/Global learning disability (although he has an average IQ, his academic level is hovering around sixth grade)
3/Cognitive Disability not otherwise specified (although his IQ is normal, he is impaired in other areas that affect his ability to fully use his intelligence)
At the same time, he feels Sonic has great strengths and is a very good kid who is free of ANY mental illness, including depression (we knew this). He doesn't recommend any medication or even seeing a Psychiatrist. He did say a Behavioral Psychologist can teach him to manage his life better and we're going to try to find one.
There was a lot more, but this is what we are going to bring to the social worker to help make a life plan for our precious son. I believe this tester was right on the money. Sonic does too.
And so we finally have some direction and some answers. Of course, we will examine everything before jumping ahead. We have time and many people to talk to about him.
Sorry for the long post. Have a nice day!
1/The neuropsychologist explained that the tests for autistic spectrum disorder and really very conclusive and Sonic was tested in three separate tests as well as given tons of function tests and observation. After his going over the various autism tests, I think they are very thorough and probably accurate as well. Until today I had no idea what was asked on the tests.
I digress. Sonic's early and incorrect ADHD diagnoses was also wiped away because he did GREAT on the ADHD test they give the kids (it's a computerized test...I think it's called TOVA). He actually exceeded attention span expectations for a seventeen year old teenager and, throughout his testing, showed an excellent attention span.
Every test he was given, in spite of his great verbal skills, showed autism. He *does* have a great vocabulary, but does not really really have give-and-take conversations. He is prone to interrupting with his own thought and interests and to go off topic which, again, is not "typical" for a teenager of seventeen. He simply can not explain an abstract though.
His life skills/executive functions were very low. Executive functioning is important in day-to-day function and decision making. No surprise to us, he had trouble there.
A LOL...when asked if he wanted to get married he said, "I'm not sure." When asked why people get married, he said, "I have no idea." We all laughed when we were given this answer.
Again, though, a seventeen year old boy should undestand people enough to take a few guesses on why people marry.
His thinking is very concrete and changes are bad for him. He can excel at one task at a time, but when other tasks are added, he can do it...but he is extremlyyyyyyyyyyy slow for his age.
The bottom line is that, when we told the doctors when he was two that we thought he was presenting with autism and they told us "No way, his eye contact is too good, he would be huddling in a corner in fetal positions...blah blah" they were wrong and did a big disservice to Sonic.
On the plus side he will get the adult services that he needs, including special job placement and social security and either assisted living or a group home...we are not sure where he would do best. He has no real interest yet of being independent and will live with us for quite a while more, but we can't live forever...we want him settled before we get TOO old.
Sonic will also probably do high school until he is twenty-one, but we're leaving that up to him.
It was recommended that we get guardianship of Sonic and we are going to do it. Sonic himself agreed with that. Meanwhile we are going to find resources outside of the home to try to teach him how to live alone...just in case he has to. Sonic admitted in the testing that he worried that, when living alone, he'd had trouble paying the bills and rent. And he would.
Sonic's diagnosis. will be:
1/ Autism (he is not going to nitpick about Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified or Aspergers...he said just autism will help him the most).
2/Global learning disability (although he has an average IQ, his academic level is hovering around sixth grade)
3/Cognitive Disability not otherwise specified (although his IQ is normal, he is impaired in other areas that affect his ability to fully use his intelligence)
At the same time, he feels Sonic has great strengths and is a very good kid who is free of ANY mental illness, including depression (we knew this). He doesn't recommend any medication or even seeing a Psychiatrist. He did say a Behavioral Psychologist can teach him to manage his life better and we're going to try to find one.
There was a lot more, but this is what we are going to bring to the social worker to help make a life plan for our precious son. I believe this tester was right on the money. Sonic does too.
And so we finally have some direction and some answers. Of course, we will examine everything before jumping ahead. We have time and many people to talk to about him.
Sorry for the long post. Have a nice day!
