Aspergers Diagnosis - Our Steps to a Diagnosis

After I had found an Aspergers Syndromeknowledge of medicines and what they do and
checklist online I inquired from our pediatriciandon't do for all the varieties for mental and
about who to see for an evaluation. We wereneurological disorders. She was on Concerta for
given the name of a Neurologist specializing inthe ADHD which was acceptable to help with the
"Children with Developmental Disorders" and alsoADHD and Aspergers symptoms.
certified in Pharmacology. I was sent a hugeWhat I liked most about this doctor was how
packet of information that I was to fill out. Therethorough he was in his evaluation of everything.
was also evaluation forms for her teachers to fillWe had blood work done to check for genetic
out. I sent all the information in for them to lookproblems as well as an MRI to check the size,
at before my initial visit. The initial visit wasshape and growth of her brain. He wanted to rule
between me and the doctor only. We sat downout any other conditions. Wow, what a relief since
for an hour going through a checklist ofin the past we would go along thinking all was
information...."does she do this", "how does she dohunky dory and then find out she had ADHD and
with this".....type questions. He reviewed ourthen the dysgraphia....and ultimately the Aspergers.
information from the packet as well as hisSo, it was a huge burden off our backs that he
checklist and told me he felt she did indeed havewas checking for anything he could think of that
Aspergers Syndrome based on what he haswould display the same symptoms to rule them
evaluated from our conversation.out before settling on just Aspergers Syndrome.
The next step was to bring her in to meet him.A year into his treatment of her he redid her
His initial reaction was that on paper she isblood work because of new technology that can
Aspergers, but to meet her he never would havecheck for more detail into different genetic
known. His explaination was she is very "highdisorders. What a great doctor!
functioning" Aspergers. What does that mean?I would highly recommend anyone feeling their
Well, she has enough control over herself tochild has Aspergers, Autism, or any other mental
appear "normal" however she has the little quircksneurological disorder such as ADHD or Bi-Polar
of Aspergers. Once he had seen her severaldisorder to seek a Neurologist for testing. I
times he started to see some of those littlepersonally like that ours specializes in children and
quircks. His evaluations began with motor skillsalso knows the pharmacology side as well. He
type tests like walking, hopping, touch your nose,continually researches and discusses with his
etc. He would ask her questions about friends,associates about new information and technology
social atmosphere, school, etc. Being aspecific to children.
Pharmacologist he also has an extensive