After Neuropsych testing

[Anonymous]

My teen has completed neuropsych testing and we are waiting for the results appointment. I suspect it will be Autism because of his difficulties with misinterpreting social cues and sometimes getting aggressive with kids due to that. Also, lack of eye contact and no friends. He already has an IEP for anxiety. What happens during this appointment? What treatments are usually recommended? Do the results get shared fully with the kid also? How do teens react to a diagnosis of autism? What questions should we be asking the therapist? What accommodations should we be asking at school? Please help!

[Anonymous]

At this appointment, the evaluator shares their impressions of the kid, including strengths, weaknesses, and diagnosis. They will also make recommendations. Don't worry about writing it down because it will also be in a written report later. It should be a dialogue, where you can say that something does or does not sound like your child, which can impact the ultimate interpretation in the report.

I would recommend that this initial debrief be just parents, so you can have whatever emotions and questions you have. Then schedule a separate session for the evaluator to explain the results to your teen.

The evaluator should suggest accommodations.

[Anonymous]

I respect all parents who can face this meeting without emotion, I spent the entire after testing meeting in tears - and sheer fear and disbelief because it did not hit us at all as a possibility. It all felt like a death sentence, an awful meeting I hope to never endure again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I respect all parents who can face this meeting without emotion, I spent the entire after testing meeting in tears - and sheer fear and disbelief because it did not hit us at all as a possibility. It all felt like a death sentence, an awful meeting I hope to never endure again.

I would suggest speaking about this with your teen before the meeting. How did you explain the assessment process to them? What answers are you/they looking for? Is your child already aware that the assessment was for autism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this appointment, the evaluator shares their impressions of the kid, including strengths, weaknesses, and diagnosis. They will also make recommendations. Don't worry about writing it down because it will also be in a written report later. It should be a dialogue, where you can say that something does or does not sound like your child, which can impact the ultimate interpretation in the report.

I would recommend that this initial debrief be just parents, so you can have whatever emotions and questions you have. Then schedule a separate session for the evaluator to explain the results to your teen.

The evaluator should suggest accommodations.

OP. I was told the results would be shared with only the parents first and then we would wait in the waiting room while the results are shared with the kid
.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I respect all parents who can face this meeting without emotion, I spent the entire after testing meeting in tears - and sheer fear and disbelief because it did not hit us at all as a possibility. It all felt like a death sentence, an awful meeting I hope to never endure again.

I would suggest speaking about this with your teen before the meeting. How did you explain the assessment process to them? What answers are you/they looking for? Is your child already aware that the assessment was for autism?

The psychologist had recommended doing the testing. I told him the testing was to find out more about what is causing his anxiety. He has no clue. It is going to be a huge shock to him if it is really going to be autism.

[Anonymous]

I'd avoid bringing him in though, what is the DX going to change ultimately? Could cause more anxiety or a sense of relief, it can go either way, you may want to control the setting - someplace less intimating then an office setting, or even a virtual one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd avoid bringing him in though, what is the DX going to change ultimately? Could cause more anxiety or a sense of relief, it can go either way, you may want to control the setting - someplace less intimating then an office setting, or even a virtual one.

I suspect it will cause him more anxiety plus sadness. Not sure what to do. On one hand I feel the psychologist will do a better job of explaining it to him. On the other hand, because it is going to be completely unexpected for him to hear, I feel it will not be a good idea having him go right after us and hearing it alone.

[Anonymous]

How old is your teen? Ours received an ASD diagnosis at 16, and in some ways I think it came as a relief. Kids know when they feel different, and it can be reassuring to be understood and “seen” - not to minimize the challenges that remain.

[Anonymous]

It can be very freeing to actually know what is different about you, because otherwise you think you’re just stupid or destined to be a dork. Many well-accomplished people are on the spectrum, and there are so many supports available now. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your teen? Ours received an ASD diagnosis at 16, and in some ways I think it came as a relief. Kids know when they feel different, and it can be reassuring to be understood and “seen” - not to minimize the challenges that remain.

Just turned 14.