Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis

Difficult to Pinpoint

You might have a tough time obtaining an Asperger syndrome diagnosis, only because it's difficult to pinpoint. Children with this condition are commonly high functioning and intelligent, which can lead to some delay in identifying the disorder.

Years ago, it was common for children to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, since an Asperger syndrome diagnosis is often tough to pinpoint. Children are now commonly given an AS diagnosis around the age of seven.

The causes of delay in an early diagnosis are numerous, foremost because an Asperger child appears to develop normally. He or
she has excellent cognitive skills and isn't burdened with the
same language deficits seen in children with other pervasive developmental disorders.

What are some of the misdiagnosed conditions that AS children receive?

1. A common misdiagnosis is obsessive compulsive disorder. The confusion between this condition and AS stems from their similarities. Children with OCD and AS have a need for order and routine, and they tend to obsess over certain topics.

2. Another condition that can be confusing in the proper diagnosis of Asperger syndrome is ADHD.
   
   
   • Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder manifests itself in difficulties related to staying on task and problems interacting with others.
   • ADHD also involves repetitive movements and over-activity commonly seen in AS.

3. Oppositional defiant disorder is another condition that is similar to AS. A child with ODD has a tendency to resist following directions and difficulties with compliant behavior. Asperger-diagnosed children seem as if they are defiant in their resistance to transition and accept changes in routine.

Is there any way for early detection of Aspergers?

Yes, early detection of Asperger syndrome is possible in spite of the child's high functioning and lack of language delays. The "tilt test" can be administered at home, within a few minutes. This Asperger test was developed by Dr. P. Titlebaum and Dr. Osnat Titelbaum at the University of Florida.

This simple home test can be given to infants as young as six months of age. Parents simply tilt the baby to the left and to the right. A baby with Asperger syndrome will try to keep his head aligned with the rest of his body while a neurotypical baby will keep his head in an upright position.

While the tilt test is not a means of diagnosis, it does serve as an early indicator that there might be a problem that needs to be investigated.

With continued research, we can all hope that a reliable, professional Asperger syndrome diagnosis can be determined in the early stages of a child's development.

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