Her son is 11, going to be 12 in August. There is no question that there is something wrong with him. She's had 2 different doctors now say something along the lines of "He has all of the markers for Aspergers... but why would you want to have that diagnosis on his head? So, I don't want to give him the diagnosis." This kid NEEDS to be in SOME kind of behavioral therapy among other things. My sister has kind of given up because she's frustrated, but I am so certain he has aspergers and so is my sister. Hell, the docs are even saying he has all the markers but they don't want that dianosis hanging over his head.... my sister knows a diagnosis will at least get him the help he needs. he's already in special education in school and already has in his record that if he needs a break they have to give him one etc. But it's not enough.

I guess my question is, how does she go about finding a doc who will diagnose the kid so she can get him the help he needs?

she should be able to get the testing sone thru the public school system. it usually requires a psychiatrist evaluation. My dear friend had her son diagnosed not to long ago and that is the route she went. I hope this helps a bit.

Wow. That's a tough one. My question is this: If he already has special education services, what other services will he get if he is diagnosed? Is there something else that the school can offer? The doctors might be looking at it along those lines. I'm not sure. I teach special ed, but I've never worked with a child who had Aspergers. I have heard of it, but am not familiar with it, so I don't know what services would be provided for him if he was labeled as such.

What problems is he having that aren't being addressed? I am a huge advocate for children with disabilities, so I love to work on situations like these. That's why I'm asking....not because I think he's getting everything. But because I want to help! :)

she should be able to get the testing sone thru the public school system. it usually requires a psychiatrist evaluation. My dear friend had her son diagnosed not to long ago and that is the route she went. I hope this helps a bit.


This kid has been evaluated by everyone. But the final docs haven't wanted to give the diagnosis. Makes no sense to me :dunno My sister doens't get it either. The way they talk about it is like him having the actual diagnosis will be a bad thing for him.

Has she seen a neuro-psychologist yet? With a definite diagnosis, he can qualify for more help. I can understand if he was a young child, but he's almost 12.

If the school requests the testing, they can refer her to one and they have to pay for it.

What insurance does she have? With Tricare, I can search for providers and look for PCM"s, but with a specialty in child development or psychology, etc. Usually those doctors are a lot better at diagnosing that stuff.

Wow. That's a tough one. My question is this: If he already has special education services, what other services will he get if he is diagnosed? Is there something else that the school can offer? The doctors might be looking at it along those lines. I'm not sure. I teach special ed, but I've never worked with a child who had Aspergers. I have heard of it, but am not familiar with it, so I don't know what services would be provided for him if he was labeled as such.

What problems is he having that aren't being addressed? I am a huge advocate for children with disabilities, so I love to work on situations like these. That's why I'm asking....not because I think he's getting everything. But because I want to help! :)

He needs stuff out of school as well. He has some major social and behavior issues.

Last summer I had him and his brother for a week and he did very odd things. He'd find patterns in everything in my house, which wasn't a bad thing.. but he also forced himself to throw up in the middle of my livingroom floor for no reason at all.

ummmmm, that is odd that thy say he has the markers for it but do not want it to bein his file??? I am not sure what the big deal would be, are these military doctors or civilians?

Are there any specialists in the area? Maybe look to a university-affiliated hospital center? They have the research dollars, and therefore often attract the experts in the field. My son's pediatric psychiatrist wanted to say it was "just" ADHD because it's an "easy" diagnosis and treatment. But I knew there was more to the issue. I did some asking around and found a psychiatrist that specialized in ADHD and Aspergers. This woman knows her stuff and is willing to call it as she sees it. I pay out of pocket for her services because she does not accept any insurance. IMHO she is worth her weekly fee, and ds is finally getting the therapy he needs.

What insurance does she have? With Tricare, I can search for providers and look for PCM"s, but with a specialty in child development or psychology, etc. Usually those doctors are a lot better at diagnosing that stuff.

I have no idea. her husband isn't military. I'd guess Blue Cross, but I really don't know.

ummmmm, that is odd that thy say he has the markers for it but do not want it to bein his file??? I am not sure what the big deal would be, are these military doctors or civilians?

They are civilians.. and they are also a-holes so far. My sister asked why they didn't want to diagnose him and they said "well why would you want that kind of diagnosis over his head?" I think they are just lousy docs and she isn't being pushy enough.


This kid will be 12 and he seriously has the mentality of maybe a 7 year old. He can nly read at a 2nd grade level but he excells in math.

There are also 3 mothers in that school with aspergers children and every one of them tell her that it has to be what is wrong with him.

Dr's that can diagnose him are developmental pediatricians, neuro-psychologists, and neurologists. I forget who else. The only problem with an actual diagnosis, is if he has any health problems due to aspergers, that they code it for the problem and not aspergers or if he would lose services.

Say my son had leaky gut, (diarrhea), I'd ask him to be seen for that and not that I think he has it due to his autism. Insurance companies like to not pay for services if autism is put in the payment request.

She needs to keep seeing different docs until she gets the diagnosis. She's his best advocate.

Dr's that can diagnose him are developmental pediatricians, neuro-psychologists, and neurologists. I forget who else. The only problem with an actual diagnosis, is if he has any health problems due to aspergers, that they code it for the problem and not aspergers or if he would lose services.

Say my son had leaky gut, (diarrhea), I'd ask him to be seen for that and not that I think he has it due to his autism. Insurance companies like to not pay for services if autism is put in the payment request.

She needs to keep seeing different docs until she gets the diagnosis. She's his best advocate.

He has seen all 3 of those actually :yes

That explination makes sense with how they have talked about it. I just really think having the diagnosis and getting the proper therapy etc would make a huge difference with him.

http://www.autismsource.org/

You can search for providers and services here.

He needs to be diagnosed and be seen by a behavioralist.

http://www.autismsource.org/

You can search for providers and services here.

He needs to be diagnosed and be seen by a behavioralist.


Thank You! I'll send that on to my sister :)

He has seen all 3 of those actually :yes

That explination makes sense with how they have talked about it. I just really think having the diagnosis and getting the proper therapy etc would make a huge difference with him.

Wait a minute, he's seen all of them and they won't give him an official diagnosis? :wowsers That's all kinds of wrong. She needs to keep going to different ones until she finds one that will.

A child advocate wouldn't hurt either.

Is your sis controlling his diet?!?

I know my mom has told me, that to this day she believes my older brother, the one who served in the Air Force, had ADD. She was worried that that label would've prevented him from joining the military, so she never got his fully diagnosed.

Is your sis controlling his diet?!?

I know my mom has told me, that to this day she believes my older brother, the one who served in the Air Force, had ADD. She was worried that that label would've prevented him from joining the military, so she never got his fully diagnosed.

The mothers who have the children with aspergers and myself have told her about a gluten free diet. I also told her about that book that has been talked about her here... the autism cook book.

he's definitely got something more than ADD :(

Wait a minute, he's seen all of them and they won't give him an official diagnosis? :wowsers That's all kinds of wrong. She needs to keep going to different ones until she finds one that will.

Yep and they will sit there and tell her he has all of the signs of it... but then say "but why would you want to put that lebel on him?" Sounds like some doctors are putting their personal feelings in the way of doing their job properly. She's gone through it twice and I keep telling her she needs to keep going to docs until she get him diagnosed because he needs to help that can be provided once he gets the diagnosis.

I hope the doctors will give her son a diagnosis, or that she finds one that will so he can really get the services he needs.

Good Gravy. It really sounds like a case of a lousy HMO. One thing about having a child with Autism is that you have to learn to fight the medical community. There are times when you can coexist peacefully, but there are other times that you know what is right for your child, and the doc just doesn't.
It is weird for me to think that a Developmental Doc wouldn't diagnose it. I mean, that is their job. I don't know what to say except keep taking him to different places until she gets the answer she wants. I did. I had to travel 2 hours from home every six months, but it was worth it because the diagnosis opens doors for therapies.
We are here, whatever questions she has.

My friends son has Aspergers. She fought for 5 years to get some help. He needed everything to be happening exactly when he had been told they would. He sometimes hit out for no reason ( he cried afterwards as he knew he did it but couldnt stop himself) It came to a point when another parent phoned the police
. He did silly things like if he wanted something on the other side of the car he jumped onto and over it instead of walking around it . There were also some subjects at school that he was very poor in . but he excelled IT and English.
In the end he was properly assesssed and diagnosed . He spent 2 years in a special education school. when he was 12 he started to go to my sons school. He is doing very well as he has learnt how to cope at difficult times. My son and his other friends helps him to remove himself from situations he cant handle. He is 15 now and is being paid to make websites for small companies.
Have you got a teaching hospital or College of medicin and education nearby ?
Sometimes at those places its consulting and treatment is free as they like to learn from different childrens problems.
I hope she will continue looking for help ..If nothing is done ,his symptoms can get worse.
Good luck

That's weird. If he meets the criteria, he has the diagnosis. Having a label is the gateway to getting the services he needs. The school or other providers can easily not give him all he needs if he doesn't have the actual diagnosis.

She should have him re-eval'd by someone who isn't afraid to either give him a dx or tell her that he doesn't meet the criteria. It's their job to do that!

I'd march him in there and demand the label regardless of how they feel. That's crap.