Should we test for Asperger's/HFA and what services are available in MCPS for that?

[Anonymous]

A strategic question.
My 5th grader currently receives services of an organizational nature for his inattentive ADHD. His IEP is coded under Other Health Impairment.
We have the opportunity to have him evaluated for a possible ASD diagnosis (an extension of the neurospych eval. we are currently doing), which he probably has, since Asperger's runs in the family and he has mild signs of it, such as difficulty keeping friends, not showing much interest in others' lives, communicating well but having difficulty taking appropriate turns in conversations, obsessing over certain topics or activities, weird finger movements, poor coordination etc. However we feel that unlike the crippling ADHD, this is not critical for his development. We definitely don't want to correct the obsession over academic topics, which acts as a miraculous counterweight to his inattention in class! But maybe we're not seeing things correctly, since some of us are Aspies...

So DH is wondering why we would test for this, given the added cost.
Would DS receive extra services at his MCPS? Some sort of social skills group or OT?
Basically my question is, if you are pretty sure your DS has Asperger's or High-functioning autism, what are the benefits of formalizing a diagnosis? DS has already read books about it and has recognized some of the traits in himself.

Trying to muddle through here.
Thank for you very much for your perspective.

[Anonymous]

I think it might be good for your son to have a "label" per say to better explain what is going on with him. Especially since he has already read up on it and can see traits in himself. It may actually help him socially if he explains to friends why he may do/saynot say certain things. For example, I have a good friend who is upfront about his diagnosis and it definitely helps explain some of his reactions to things and decreases my frustration level.

I don't think your DS would receive any extra services. You could talk to the school counselor about organizing an informal lunch bunch to help target social skills.

[Anonymous]

My kid with Asperger's, now in third grade, has been getting Speech therapy for pragmatics since prek4 when he was diagnosed and got an IEP. In prek4, the school had a social skills group that met 4x a week during nap time. He got OT and PT and still gets OT.
He currently gets social skills with the school counselor twice a month. Starting in prek4, he's had lunch bunch with teachers and peers once a wk.

DS also has an ADHD diagnosis which we treat with medication. The ADHD gives more school issues than the ASD ever did.

My son knows he has Asperger's and ADHD. He is above grade level academically and has friends including a BFF. He is fully mainstreamed.

[Anonymous]

^his IEP is still under "autism" even though technically it could be OHI. Don't think the IEP label matters as long as your child is getting all the supports/services that they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it might be good for your son to have a "label" per say to better explain what is going on with him. Especially since he has already read up on it and can see traits in himself. It may actually help him socially if he explains to friends why he may do/saynot say certain things. For example, I have a good friend who is upfront about his diagnosis and it definitely helps explain some of his reactions to things and decreases my frustration level.

I don't think your DS would receive any extra services. You could talk to the school counselor about organizing an informal lunch bunch to help target social skills.

I agree with the first sentence. I don't agree with the last sentence because teh Aspergers/ASDautism might provide you with an IEP whereas it will be very difficult to gat a 504 with the description you have given. Probably imposssible. 504s are ignored; the staff must comply with the IEP (something with the occasionally prodding off a parent).

[Anonymous]

Yes, do the testing. If money is truly a hardship, the school can test or look at NIH for a clinical trial where they do the testing for free. More than likely if there's a change in diagnosis, there will be additions to the IEP.

That ultra-focus can be a blessing and a curse. It might motivate him in one sense and isolate him in others. He needs strategies that will see him through the teen years academically. Don't be short sighted.

[Anonymous]

I would also agree to test if you are considering a different placement for middle school. So, if your child might be a good match for the Tilden program, t hen you would want to know if he is a candidate.