Thank you : Getting a Diagnosis

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all of your responses. I appreciate it.

>

> Hello,

>

> I am new to this board. I am going through the process of having my 10 year

old tested for Asperger's/HFA. I have had him evaluated several times in the

past due to being a late talker and having a few very mild issues on the

spectrum but the physicians did not agree. His speech therapist, however, thinks

that he may be mild Aspergers. He definitely has some traits (strong math and

science and poor social skills, lack of friends, talks too loud sometimes,

relates better to younger children and adults, social anxiety). The docs feel he

definitely has ADHD but doesn't need medication. He is a bright child. He gets

teased at school for being different (misses social cues, socially awkward at

times but not always) although the kids know he is very smart. He is in a

regular classroom and only received speech therapy as a support (working on

social pragmatics) but they are saying he tested out and no longer qualifies but

with a diagnosis of autism, they could offer him more. He comes off as aloof and

mostly interested in reading about science and physics. He is the top math

student in his class for 2 years in a row at a distinguished school. Advanced

test scores. He plays well with 2 neighborhood kids but at school he is in a

shell.

>

> His dad does not want him tested and stigmatized. He is going to the 5th grade

this year but I am starting to worry about middle school and him getting teased,

bullied and being misunderstood in general as he tries to navigate the world.

>

> Is the stigma of a diagnosis hurtful in any way? Does the diagnosis help the

child get better resources? Are teachers more understanding? What about other

children?

>

> Thank you for any feedback.

>

> DJ

>