Re: Re: I am new, too.

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Thank you for responding so politely to what as I re-read it is kind of a know-it-all post.I do know the fear of throwing the hands up and running off the road. Perhaps you can find some small comfort in the thought that policeman's questions are usually not open ended! Driving seems so important for future independence, and actually good practice for handling unexpected -- because the rules are so clear and concrete, and for the most part, followed by all. sorry your school system is so clueless! And Vanderbilt U! Shame on them! Tennessee seems to have a couple of links to autism resources but I would imagine you've looked into these, that would be the place for the official diagnosisPuberty is NOT FUN with ASD guys, I hear you. Thanks , We tried doing the school system eval. when we first took him out and the pediatrician insisted that they were obligated to do it. They resisted at first and then said that they would start with an IQ test. When I picked him up after, he was in tears and the very young psychologist was exasperated. We did go on to being evaluated by a Vanderbilt University psychologist who said he had ADHD. I just kept thinking that I couldn't figure out why was nothing like the other kids that I knew that had ADHD or ADD. Then I heard a friend describe his son with Aspergers and started to do more research. It didn't take long to figure why I was so confused about the his original diagnosis. When I read the descriptions of the kids on here most of them sound just like . I really think he won't have too much trouble learning to drive a car but adapting to the unexpected things that other people do or when a new situation comes up he was not expecting. He has a strong need to always know what to expect. I just see him getting frustrated while driving and throwing his hands up and running off the road. He has a very hard time with ansering open ended questions. If he ever got stopped or questioned by the police, I don't think it would go well. I probably do worry too much. He and his twin sister were very premature and have been through a lot and I have been protecting them for so long now. I do know that he is able to do the things he really sets his mind to. But, driving was scary for us when the two older ones learned who don't have those kind of problems. I'm happy to hear of other Asperger teenagers learning to drive. I went today and got the permit study books for him and his sister. I guess we'll soon see how dedicated he is to the idea of driving. Lori > > > Hi. I have been reading post for a little while now but have not > > written. My husband and I have 4 children, two of which are grown. > > The other two are 15yo twins(Hannah and ). being the > > primary area of concern. In first grade he was diagnosed with > > Social Anxiety Disorder and after trying three different meds to > > help him, all of which had bad side effects, I took the two of them > > out of school in the middle of third grade and started > > homeschooling them. That being because my 9 year old was > > threatening suicide. Homeschooling has certainly not been fun. I > > took him to a psychiatrist after we took him out and she sent him > > to be evaluated at Vanderbilt and the psychologist said he had a > > low IQ and ADHD. Well, we knew he was wrong about the low IQ. > > 's many interest, exceptional memory, his ability to play the > > violin (well), all precluded a low IQ. But he obviously did have > > some learning issues in some areas. So, i just believed he had > > ADHD. He has been on Wellbutrin since that time. As time went on I > > kept think that there is certainly a lot more to ADHD than people > > talk about. I was really confused and he really is not at all > > "hyper" as I think of the term. Anyway, when someone I knew talked > > about their son who has Asperger's I started an investigation via > > the internet and realized that that is where 's symptoms fit. > > I am getting desperate because he is now 15 and wants to drive a > > car and I can't even imagine him doing that or having a job. He > > doesn't handle the unexpected very well. The maturity that I > > thought would set in and help his ADHD is rather increased > > emotional problems due to puberty that is making his probable > > Asperger's worse. I decided we were going to have to have some help > > and a proper diagnosis. I reached out to Vanderbilt again and found > > there is a year wait for an evaluation. But through my insurance I > > have found a psychologist that we went to see for the first time > > last week and will see again tomorrow. After our battle yesterday > > during school I am really, really desperate for some help. > > My first question is: What is involved in getting an official > > diagnosis? Thanks for reading. > > > > >