Testing for Asperger’s syndrome involves multiple assessments, including psychological, communication, and psychiatric evaluations. Tests may include an IQ test, CAST, DSM-IV, and AQ. A normal IQ does not rule out Asperger’s, and a single test is not enough for a diagnosis.
Testing for Asperger’s syndrome typically requires a litany of tests because there is no conclusive test that can lead to a diagnosis. In most cases, testing will include a psychological evaluation, a communication evaluation, and a psychiatric visit. Often, tests for Asperger’s may specifically include an intelligent quotient (IQ) test, childhood autism spectrum test (CAST), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition test (DSM-IV ) and the Asperger’s quotient (AQ) test. test).
For psychological assessment, one of the first tests often done is an intelligence test. This test is common in Asperger’s testing because many who have or may have the condition show a normal level of intelligence. While it may not rule out Asperger’s if a lower IQ is discovered, the presence of a normal IQ means the other possibilities are severely limited.
The psychological assessment also includes many of the other personality assessment tests when testing for Asperger’s. DSM-IV, CAST, or QA testing may be part of the process. Some doctors or medical professionals may feel that the DSM-IV test has become obsolete, last updated in 1994, long before much research was done on autism. Some tests, such as the CAST test, may be good for both higher functioning levels of autism, such as Asperger’s, and lower functioning levels.
Another of the assessments undertaken in testing for Asperger’s is a communication assessment. This test is very important because one of the main ways Asperger’s and other autism spectrum disorders manifest themselves is through communication problems. Children or adults can be tested to see how well they communicate thoughts and ideas, both verbally and in written form, if the individual has that ability to write. The assessment will be assessed by a psychologist who often specializes in communication problems.
The other test that is often performed is a psychiatric evaluation. While the psychiatrist may ask some questions, this assessment is most commonly done through observation. In particular, some of the things the evaluator will look for include repetitive behaviors, relationship problems or socializing with others of the same age, and whether there are any inappropriate or misplaced emotional outbursts.
Once all assessments have been completed, a score will be assigned to each one. It is very unusual for the results of a single test to be the basis for a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. Raters may look for other explanations if one test scores low, but others appear to be within normal parameters. Testing for Asperger’s can take more than a day due to all the testing involved, especially if the patient is younger.
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