Dear Peter
I was sorry to read about the situation you described. Diagnosing ASD is a multidisciplinary effort, usually driven by those in ''Health' and typically involves a psychologist, speech therapist and a peadiatrician. A 'solo' diagnosis is not advised.
The ed psych is the person who should be able to work with that team, your friends and their son, plus the school and any other relevant 'body' such as the LA. The ed psych would be able to identify the child's needs and develop the necessary programme(s) of intervention and evaluation, eg, social interaction support, transitions, teaching & learning etc. But it would also depend on the ed psych's model of working as dictated by their manager and LA. With the financial cuts, ed psych services have had to alter their service deliveries.
I am happy to be contacted directly if you wish to discuss this further. My contact details are listed below.
Regards
Michael
Michael Lane
Principal Psychologist
The Ridgeway Psychology Group
www.Ridgeway.co
02476 697308
07967 734004
On 6 May 2011, at 07:26, Peter J Halls <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Team,
>
> I'm asking this because of problems being experienced by a friend in another European country.
>
> How difficult or contentious is the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome or other forms of Autism? Is there a similar level of disbelief amongst professionals as there was in the UK a few years ago concerning ME? Are there ambiguities or overlaps with other conditions that can make definitive diagnosis difficult?
>
> My friend's 12 year old son is having difficulties and was referred to an Educational Psychologist in December. Following referral to another specialist, a tentative diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome was offered in late January, together with a further referral to the national specialist centre for confirmation. Since then there has been what sounds like a game of 'ping-pong', with a reluctance on any specialist's part to commit to a diagnosis of any kind, but a continual bouncing off further specialists. The latest suggestion is that my friend's son's IQ, which they have measured at 130, is so high that it will naturally result in social alienation and to live with it!
>
> It may well be that the issue is not a form of Autism: my friend's concern is to find out what is wrong and to get a programme underway to set things right. Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks and best wishes,
>
> Peter
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Peter J Halls, GIS Advisor & Acting Team Leader Applications Support Group,
> Information Directorate, University of York
> Telephone: 01904 323806 Fax: 01904 323740
> Snail mail: C/O IT Services, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD
> This message has the status of a private and personal communication
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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