What are some good, reliable tests for Asperger's?

[TerryJ2]

Now that my son has taken the MMPI, I am wondering if I should revisit his Asperger's dx. He really, really acts Aspie under certain circumstances, but now I can't tell if he has developed coping mechanisms or what.
He is still such a black and white thinker, I want to scream. And he still shouts a lot and refuses to admit that he is shouting. And he refuses to meet people on his own; always needs an intro (either a sports coach, or a teacher, or a mutual friend). And he's got the telltale gluten allergy.
Still, he is so, so very angry and anxious all of the time, that I don't know if that is part of his wiring or something he "believes" in.

Anyone have suggestions for tests (not online; something that would be done w/a professional).
Thanks in advance.

[chloedancer]

PDDBI, AQ, Social Stories Questionairre and the CAM are the ones I am familiar with. I cant say they are the best, or most reliable, just that it is what I see used most often.

[TerryJ2]

Thank you!

[MidwestMom]

I was told the ADOS test is the gold standard.

[InsaneCdn]

ADOS is one of the ones used here - we've been told there isn't "a" test for Aspergers/ASD - rather, there's a combination of tests, plus ruling out other stuff.

[Dammit Janet]

terry, let me ask you a question. If you asked gfg to do something fairly simple for his age such as "watch the bacon" for you while you were getting the rest of the groceries out of the car. What would happen?

A. He would stand there and watch the bacon and remove it from the heat and set it to another burner when done.
B. He would stand there, watch the bacon, take it out to a paper towel to drain and leave it there.
C. He would watch the bacon and let the kitchen fill with smoke while bacon burned to a crisp but he was still "watching the bacon!"

[TerryJ2]

If he was in a good mood, he would do either A or B.
If it was 10 yrs ago, he would have done C, and then told me it was my fault for not telling him the rest of the chore.
Most of the time, he'll do D. Yell at me because he's tired and has a stomach ache and he doesn't want to do anything and why doesn't Mom do anything?

[TerryJ2]

I just don't see any clear dx jumping out in your son's case.


I know, that's the point! I feel like I'm treading water and going under. I'd just like something to hang onto.
He's always been indefinable, in the true sense of the word.
I just thought there might be something "obvious" that I missed.
Sometimes it's just nice to have somebody to talk to here, but I guess it's overkill on my part, and you're going through the same thing my DH is, in that he's sick of hearing about it.
I'll just go to bed and shut up.

[buddy]

Oh gosh Terry! I for sure am not sick of this, you are going through a real crisis time. Of course you are wanting answers, and klmno is probably right, that it is going to be a huge challenge right now because of all of the complicating life factors, all the typical teen stuff piled on.

Here is a link to a few asperger's tests, I have given the top too... GADS and ASDS many times. They were never used as stand alone items, just as one piece of the puzzle. I found them to be quite reflective of how broad the spectrum can be, in that the scores did not require a child to have no eye contact etc.... to fall on the at risk for Asperger's ranges. I can't speak to the other one listed there, I have never used it.

http://www.proedinc.com/customer/pro...y=66&brandID=2

At this point, his having Asperger's is one factor and the things you say, about how he thinks and accommodations you have to make to support him are the important things that just need to be considered in that any type of therapy or schooling would need to be able to use his learning style and work with him regarding any sensory or social challenges that come along with how he takes in information. I think it may be good to assume that it is a piece of the puzzle since you have had that dx for a long time, and use what you know about him to help others get more information about what else is going on with him right now.

Just saying he has Asperger's period would not really help right now I think...just random thoughts on this right now, maybe I will change my mind, but what I mean is that everyone with Asperger's is a person first and so it only gives us so much information. what is important is all of those unique things you know about him and how to help him be more successful. He has other issues right now, and it seems like you have been saying that you think he may be Asperger's plus something else.

Can you arrange for a neuropsych eval to help with this placement decision and to sort through where he is right now?

I know you dont need one more thing on your plate. Just wondering if that could help add more practical information. I wish there was an answer that would just clear things up once and for all. I just imagine he is that unlucky that he is really high functioning in a few areas and really vulnerable in others, leaving this time of teen age junk so much more complicated.

[InsaneCdn]

Terry. Don't let the process wear YOU down too far, because... GFG needs you. It IS a long-haul process. Ours took... 10 years of working the "system" to get the right dxes - and we're still in high-intensity mode because you don't fix this stuff overnight. But... the process can literally drive you insane. (hence, my board-name)

Personally? Reading your posts (going back a ways), and others' threads... plus my own experience with ASD "traits"? My GFG doesn't meet diagnostic cutoff but definitely has clinically significant traits... and even having THOSE spelled out, helped. (In our case, they are starting to fade, because they weren't really Aspie at all, but the result of extreme fatigue, lack of support, and lack of experience because of the first two...) But the extreme black-and-white thinking - I don't know of anything other than Aspie traits that connects with that one. The rest... may be secondary, may be co-morbid, may be... whatever else. But there IS more going on than a TT going off the rails - and you have known that for a while now.

Any chance of a comprehensive eval? Our latest was PhD-level psychologist who was prepared to really dig. We've also seen good results from the team approach (neuropsych isn't an option here). Someone needs to tell you what all the little bits and pieces are.