For a long time we have suspected my son has ASD, he has showed a lot of the signs.
When he was 6, we sent him to a child psychologist who did heaps of testing/questionnaires on him and he concluded that although he does show signs, he didn't give an actual diagnosis.
Now he is 17 years old, and has struggled all throughout his school years.
He dropped out in year 10, thanks to constant bullying.
I want to try and get him a diagnosis again, I just want him to get the help he desperately needs to get through life.
How do I go out testing him for ASD now that he's 17 (18 in February), who do I contact?
Thank you so much for your help.
4 Replies
Same process as you went through the first time, see a psychologist who specialises in ASD diagnosis. Before turning 18 a child psychologist after an adult one.
Best of luck in the diagnostic process
I had my son's school sign him up for the district school counceller to do an assessment. My son at the time was 8. Now 12. He's overly observent, but has the attention spand of a peanut. When he talks he loses his place several times then just walks off. He can't do tasks with more then one step or he gets lost, like "can you go put this in the kitchen, then get my hand bag off the counter" Some times he just doesn't come back because he's distracted. He lines things up, he's very particular with his things. He has some food sensory issues. He likes to touch things, he simply can't help it, and he will only do it with his finger tips. He won't put things in his palms. Hiw toes have to touch the ends of his shoes or he complains. and he likes to rub his hands on soft fabrics He makes little eye contact when he's talking to you, but then there are times his eye contact is so ontence it's like he can see into your soul. He has un natural attachments to things that should be thrown out like shoes that are falling apart. He like to keep all my out of date cards, toys that are beyond saving that he hasn't touched in years. He will break down and cry. He's extremely indisisive when given options. He Stimms alot with random squeaks, or other silly sounds. But because he's social skills are out of this world wonderful. He's popular where ever he goes. He didn't meet the score for a referral. He's diagnosed innatentive ADHD, unmedicated.
When he's older I plan on a second option. But while he's a solid c student, and has great social skills I'm not doing much about it.
Come here to say this. Asd and adhd inattentive share similar traits. I'd say the diagnosis is correct for your son. My sons the same. He's 17 and struggles with more than one task at a time.
A Psychiatrist is a good place to start, they can do a screening test and then suggest whether a report by a psychologist is required.