Is there a simple way to determine if someone has Asperger's Syndrome without me

1. 59

   LPogueposted 15 years ago

   Is there a simple way to determine if someone has Asperger's Syndrome without medical testing?
   
   Recently, I have become concerned that my husband may have Asperger's.  He has all the classic symptoms.  Are there other diagnoses that might fit the same symptooms? Is there a way to determine which it is?  What do you recommend to people who have Asperger's Syndrome in their families?

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2. 77

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 15 years ago

   Please see a doctor or other licensed healthcare professional for a diagnosis and range of treatments and management techniques. Any other method is a guess at best, practicing medicine without a license, and very harmful if incorrect. Best wishes for a speedy answer. Our pastor's son was diagnosed with the syndrome at age 3 and at age 18 is completely free of it. Hope is out there and a range of improvement is possible if the syndrome is present.

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3. 70

   dr cposted 15 years ago

   The initial question from which this hub developed was: " How do you diagnose Asperger's disorder in the absence of medical testing?"  The short answer is: you do not need medical testing. Unfortunately science is not yet at the stage where we can... read more

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4. 61

   waterbottleposted 15 years ago

   ask yourself (these are some of the symptoms)
   
   Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking.
   Dislike any changes in routines.
   Appear to lack empathy.
   Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech. Thus, your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Likewise, his or her speech may be flat and difficult to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.
   Have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the child may use the word "beckon" instead of "call" or the word "return" instead of "come back."
   Avoid eye contact or stare at others.
   Have unusual facial expressions or postures.
   Be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or studying astronomy. They may show an unusual interest in certain topics such as snakes, names of stars, or dinosaurs. 2
   Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized.
   Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball. He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor.
   Have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures. For more information about these symptoms, see sensory integration dysfunction.

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