Question about psychological assesments

[lightningandsnow]

I'm getting assessed for autism spectrum disorders in about a month. It's going to be over the course of two sessions, and for one of them, they want my parents and brother to come in as well.

I'm stumped. Any idea why, at my age, they'd want not only my parents but my brother to come in?

[Oeditpus Rex]

1. I'd guess they want to see how you interact with your family

Seems that'd be telling in many types of psych eval, perhaps particularly autism/Asperger's.



Just guessing, though.

[MichiganVote]

2. Ask them. There are no "tests" for Autism. Its diagnosed primarily on reported observations

self reports, observations of the subject in school, home and community. At your age, self reports are very important. However a history of your symptoms is also relevant. The trick is to work with people who can provide a diagnosis that weeds out other possible diagnosis.

[Deja Q]

3. And as more in psychology now treat it more seriously, there's hope.

Not recognized in the US until 1994, and even then for adults, misdiagnoses were common.

Observations, previous history, and time with the therapist and doctor are what counts. The good ones can spot what's real from what's phony and misdiagnosis is a real pain, especially if you have to take drugs for something you haven't got. And since they make their decision, they won't listen. (2nd or even 10th opinions can be good; many of these docs still play with textbooks and aren't willing or able to get to KNOW people, which is what the good doctors do.)

[MichiganVote]

4. Physicians operate from a medical model. The way in which they are taught to diagnosis

a condition such as ASD is vastly different from most conditions. Frankly, they are not very good at it. The better physicians will refer a patient to a reputable clinical social worker and / or Psychologist for confirmation. Most physicians will rely on diagnostics in their office which is about the worst way of confirming the suspicion of ASD.