Diagnosis after 18

[ORMom2Four]

deleting because I just discovered (through my DS16) that this thread can be found doing a google search of my screen name (yikes!)

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You say she was tested for autism and it was ruled out. Who did the evaluation, the school or an outside child psychologist? When was the last time a psychologist was involved?

What does your DD have to say about the issues? It sounds like she might be resistant to getting help. And unfortunately, now that she is 18, your options are limited as to what you can do. When she was a minor, you had control over her medical care, but not now.

 

[Kat77]

I would consult with a neurologist. Her inability to make her way home from work is very scary and definately a red flag that somethings not connecting.

 

[ORMom2Four]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I think she would be totally humiliated if I were to let her "secret" out to the Dr., but I know that something is not right.

But who better to approach with these problems than a doctor? Would it help if you were to find a new doctor for her? Is there a former teacher or counselor that she thinks highly of who could talk with her about opening up to someone about her problems and accepting the help she needs?

I'd say the school missed something big in their evaluations. It would be best if you could get her to agree to see a physician and a psychologist who can help her unravel what the issues are and how to treat them so her life will become easier. It will be a whole lot less humiliating to talk to a doctor than to get lost on your way home from work.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

I know as an adult I don't like talking to my doctor about anything, but even if it does upset her, this has to be done. What would happen if she is driving and was in an accident due to some of the problems. Keep pushing on, being tested at school is just that, she needs to be evaluated and treated by a doctor. I know as a parent, it took me a while to deal with my middle son needing medical interventions, but now to look back on it I feel like I almost punished him for things that were out of his control. I really wish that I would have dealt with things sooner than later.

 

[srferson]

I agree with the PP who suggested taking her to a neurologist. It may be very difficult for her, but if you don't know what's really going on with her, it's going to be extremely hard to help her.

And this is just my opinion of course, but I'd seriously suggest holding off on the driving until you do find out what's going on. If your five year old knows more about the road than your 18 year old, it's not safe for her to be driving. I'm sorry. That may sound insensitive, but you need to keep everyone's safety in mind.

 

[bookwormde]

Your best bet is to take her to a major medical center that has a nationally recognized group in neurological variations. The fact the you had a clinician say that they could rule out Autism is a 100% certain indicator that they were not competent since there is not test or protocol to do this (and if the testing was done more than 5 years ago the state of the art had changed significantly). Everything you describe is classic aspie. Get a copy of Tony Attwood's The Complete Guide to Aspergers and read it yourself and then let her read it. What she needs is to be self aware and to receive social skills training. This will rapidly lower her anxiety to where it rarely reaches clinical levels.

If you have a neurologist or still have contact with a developmental pediatrician have the WPS SRS evaluation completed and you will get some good indications. My guess is that she will score 50-70 at a minimum.
bookwormde

 

[srferson]

Your best bet is to take her to a major medical center that has a nationally recognized group in neurological variations. The fact the you had a clinician say that they could rule out Autism is a 100% certain indicator that they were not competent since there is not test or protocol to do this (and if the testing was done more than 5 years ago the state of the art had changed significantly). Everything you describe is classic aspie. Get a copy of Tony Attwood's The Complete Guide to Aspergers and read it yourself and then let her read it. What she needs is to be self aware and to receive social skills training. This will rapidly lower her anxiety to where it rarely reaches clinical levels.

If you have a neurologist or still have contact with a developmental pediatrician have the WPS SRS evaluation completed and you will get some good indications. My guess is that she will score 50-70 at a minimum.
bookwormde

I strongly disagree with going out and buying a book on Aspergers, reading it and having your daughter read it. Don't do it before you see someone (or several someones) who can help you figure out what's going on. If you get a book like that you are only going to freak yourself out and freak out your daughter even more. PP may be right about the diagnosis (I honestly don't know). But you don't know that yet. Don't jump the gun! Go see someone.

 

[bookwormde]

It depends if you consider Aspergers as "something negative" which it is not , it is just different. As a parent you should be fully informed as to all of the possibilities.

Appointments with highly qualified clinicians typically take 3-6 month so it is important to become informed in the interim

bookwormde

 

[KellyT2]

Just from reading your description of your daughter's problems with driving and mapping a route home, I would say that she has a neurological problem, perhaps spatial/processing in nature. I have Cerebral Palsy (mild) and was testing by specialists in driving at a rehab center and can not drive due to similar issues described in your post. The researcher said that it was unusual in that I was very bright and articulate, but unable to process quickly enough to drive or spatially to stay on the road. My testing was paid for through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, I would suggest looking into the one in your area. Testing was around 1K (10 years ago).

 

[srferson]

It depends if you consider Aspergers as "something negative" which it is not , it is just different. As a parent you should be fully informed as to all of the possibilities.

Appointments with highly qualified clinicians typically take 3-6 month so it is important to become informed in the interim

bookwormde

Fair enough.

My thinking is that this young lady is already anxious enough and though Asperger's is not "something negative" but something "different," "different" is not something that an 18 year old with the emotional maturity of a 12 year old is going to handle the same way as adult. And since they don't know it's Asperger's, I guess I'd just see it as jumping the gun.

However, I do see your point in educating oneself about the possibilities. I just think they might want to focus on seeing a doctor first.

But that is just my opinion. One opinion.

OP, ultimately it comes down to what you and your DH feel is best for your daughter. It does sound like everyone here agrees that you should see someone though, so you might want to consider that.

 

[bookwormde]

I agree finding a highly qualified clinicial is critical (and hard to do)

I only recomend it because I have seen the differnece in lots of kids (and adults) when learn the "Why" of their differences and the perception it gives them. I often recommend reading "Genius Genes" by Michael Fitzgerald, which is really empowering to undertand the contibutions their genetic characteristics have made to the world.

bookwormde

 

[kirstenb1]

It sounds like
1. you know she needs help
2. you're trying to tackle it from so many different angles, ie, driving, a job, possibly community college. It sounds like you're trying to help her gain independence.

My gut instinct, is to slow down, and take a few steps back. With her issues, I think it's going to make her very anxious to continue driving etc. I'm interested in hearing if she likes her job however. I worked in retail and loved it. But it seems an unusual fit for her, given her shyness. If she likes the job, and is good at it, then drive her to it.

Make an appt with a developmental pediatrician or neurologist. It sounds like she has challenges in several different areas that interfere with daily functioning. You and she deserve to know more information. Only then can you develop a plan.

Right now it sounds like you're throwing darts, hoping something sticks. I don't mean to sound cold. Believe me, I'm the queen of throwing darts!!

But in dealing with our younger dd, who's developmentally delayed, I have to constantly remind myself to slow down and step back, and stop throwing darts!!

 

[kirstenb1]

One more thought, some of her problems sound like processing issues, but maybe they could be short or long-term memory issues?

 

[ORMom2Four]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm not sure what to do about college. Classes are starting soon. She says she wants to go, but has no desire to even look at classes. (she has sketch pads full of art drawn in pencil and pen)

Maybe she should look into an art school? Capitalize on her interests and strengths.

 

[kirstenb1]

Maybe balance an academic class or two, with a drawing or sculpture class.

The only reason I mentioned memory issues, is I used to substitute teach a kid who got pulled out for one on one help in reading and math. His teacher said he was plenty smart, but had short term memory deficits, so he needed the extra reinforcement. I'd never heard of such a thing til then.

 

[deerhart]

an auidtory processing disorder can wreck havoc with EVERYTHING. The book When the Brain Can't hear is a real eye opener when dealing with this condition.

First, you stated she did not understand spatials (under, over, on, in etc..) this can be one of two things.. either its a visual issue OR its a receptive speech/language delay.

So when looking at what she is doing, one must try to go to the lowest common denominator. If she has trouble understanding and learning language, then anything in that format is completely suspect, especially in verbal form.

Also, CAPD can skew memory tests if there is an auditory memory problem (this was the one thing the neuropsych got stumped on was why my son's short term memory tests were all over the place.. the CAPD dx we got 9 months later put everything in perspective).

I would follow up with CAPD testing and also try to put things into a more written form and see if she can do that (can she follow written driving directions? versus verbal).

One final note about CAPD, it can be caused by a TBI (traumatic brain injury). So if she does have some damage or loss of functioning in a section of the brain, this can lead to CAPD issues. My son's capd was caused by what started as Peri-Orbital cellulitis and just hung around as constant re-occurring ear infections for the next 6.5 months. We started to suspect it was CAPD when he was around 4.5 yo and had him dx within days of his 6th b-day (6yo was the earliest anyone around here would test). His results were horrible, but really really explained a lot of his behaviors and gave us somewhere to go (and within 2 years he was a COMPLETELY different child)

 

[englishrose47]

I really do not know what the symptoms indicate at all !!But go to a specialist or even better a clinic that has such specialties !!I do know that TIME is of essence as I work in the Developmentally Disabled field and the Diagnosis of any Dev. Disability needs to be made before the age of 22 !! The Diagnosis will make her eligible for much more assitance both financially and treatments etc !! So don't delay!!