<p>Hi anitaw!
To add to your post, a good neuropsychological eval looks at both cognition and interpersonal dynamics. There are several tests (for eg the NEPSY-II) that evaluateTheory of mind and the ability to recognize/demonstrate facial expressions, the ability to understand the feelings of others, etc. There are also several parent and teacher observation checklists that are part of such an exam (for eg there are several Asperger diagnostic scale checklists that are well standardized and normed) Additionally, an eval. looks at cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Byron Rourke (Canada) has studied /written about NLD extensively, and Dr Ida Sue Baron (USA) suggests that NLD may be the neurobehavioral substrate of Aspergers. Many Aspergers folks have NLD, but not all NLD folks have Aspergers. Agree that these syndromes are just that-- syndromes-- a constellation of symptoms, and do vary by degree. A good differential workup is extremely helpful for diagnostic clarity and approprite treatment recommendations.</p>
<p>Additionally, some people theorize Aspergers as on the autism spectrum. There can be many overlapping symptoms with HFA, but there are also many fundamental differences.</p>
<p>Hi LaurentheMom,
I'd like to third the opinion that you should have your daughter observed and/or tested by a neuropsychologist familiar with nonverbal learning disability and asperger's syndrome. (NLD is diagnosed through a significant VIQ/PIQ discrepancy in IQ score and life history, aspergers uses more the latter.) To me it sounds like NLD is likely, but the two diagnoses are very, very similar. NLDers / aspies are at high risk for being under or unemployed, social isolation, and depression, anxiety, and OCD, and these risks are higher if she isn't diagnosed and given helpful interventions.</p>
<p>I was diagnosed with NLD at 19 after years of being bullied, picked on, and having no friends in school, combined with significantly poorer grades (2.6 uw in high school) than my intelligence would indicate. It was suspected something about me was "off," but nobody knew what until I stumbled upon an NLD description my sophomore year of college. I was tested and given the diagnosis that winter break by a neuropsych. Until I got the diagnosis I was extremely anxious and depressed and thought I was a complete failure. When I had the diagnosis I was finally able to work on the areas I struggled with, as well as make more realistic plans for how I would live my life successfully and happily.</p>
<p>Thanks to interventions and maturity I'm in a much better place now that I'm almost 25. I still struggle with some things, but I'm in a top graduate school getting my MSW, I've been in a relationship for almost 2 1/2 years (something I never thought would happen), and I have a small but good group of friends, most of who are quirky in some way like me. If you'd like to talk to me further about NLD/AS or anything related, feel free to PM me. Also, a good site to look at with more information is NLD on the web: [url=<a href="http://www.nldontheweb.org/%5DHomepage%5B/url">http://www.nldontheweb.org/]Homepage[/url</a>] .</p>
<p>^^^ Good post, fishoutofwater. However, due to changes in diagnostic testing, the Verbal-Performance IQ disparity is no longer a specific diagnostic criteria.</p>
<p>
[quote]
She sounds shy and undersocialized as much as anything else. No slur intended there; I was too in high school
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Even if she does not technically have Asperger's, a label of some sort could help her. Most shy people tend to be completely normal once they warm up to others, not have symptoms like hers.</p>
<p>As some say,"If you've met one person with autism, you really have just met one person with autism." I'm not the stereotypical person with AS myself and that was probably why I was only diagnosed last summer at 19 when I had major problems because of OCD and anxiety. I'm not good at math, yet my normal parents and sister are better at math than I am. I'm more interested in words than numbers. I like literature which doesn't make sense because the average person with AS dislikes fiction. I'm not interested in anything nerdy unless you count anime and I'm not even obsessed with it.
I think the only reason I was diagnosed with AS was because I had a speech delay at around 18 mos. old and did not speak again until I was 5 and had some autism symptoms as well. Now I have pretty much none of the symptoms other than social issues. Sometimes I feel that the only reason I'm diagnosed with this is to have an excuse for my maladaptive behavior and to not feel bad about being socially behind.</p>
<p>I think anyone who has social issues should get some sort of help, even if there is no label. Unfortunately, some people are overlooked because they don't fit a checklist and end up being isolated and having a difficult time adjusting to the world.</p>
<p>Here is a recent article about a colorful local eccentric named Delmar Williams. He is obsessed with meeting people; if the article is accurate 1/3 or so of the CC members probably know him already. As I read the article I kept thinking that it sure sounds like Aspergers, and sure enough he finally fairly late in life gets the diagnosis.</p>