Hi, new here

[Spas]

Hi there, I'm Sean, 39 and after almost a whole lifetime of problems decided I'd get assessed for what I thought was adult ADD/ADHD as I seemed to fit the criteria perfectly, after an initial assessment I was called back to be assessed by a consultant psychiatrist who basically told me he believed I had Aspergers Syndrome ("had" makes it sound like some kind of communicable disease) and that he'd refer me to the relevant team to deal with it.

 

Has anybody here (as an adult) been in this situation that could enlighten me as to what happens next? Is somebody going to be hoking and poking at me etc?

 

Thanks

[Mumble]

Hi Sean and welcome to the mad-house forum

 

Has anybody here (as an adult) been in this situation that could enlighten me as to what happens next? Is somebody going to be hoking and poking at me etc?

Yes, I'm afraid so. Firstly you will have to undertake the POKE test. This consists of four elements: Personality, Okayness, Konstant Kravings and Empathy. Briefly, these are:

Personality - the personality in ASD individuals is often perceived to be insignificant and difficult to find. Therefore, specifically designed bendy telescopes are inserted into every orifice. If these go in easily and do not detect a personality, you pass, however, if one becomes stuck and detects what could be assumed to be a personality mass, you may be referred for the HOKE test instead (see below).

Okayness - This is a particularly important test in terms of follow-up services post-dx. It ensures that, apart from an ASD, you are generally okay and would therefore not fit under any services and be a drain on public resources.

Konstant Kravings - This test checks that you would not fit better under similar and often confused syndromes. It involves placing you alone in a room (watch for the mirror glass) with several plates of different types of chocolate and marshmallows, no instructions, and seeing how you react. Be careful, no-one is quite sure what is considered appropriate in these situations.

Empathy - This is (I think) one of the hardest tests. You will be placed in a room with two others. One person will be sat with a plate with one marshmallow on it in front of them. The other will be sat with a plate full of marshmallows in front of them. You are asked to do 'the right thing'. I think the right thing is to run in, eat the marshmallows from both plates and run out again before anyone notices.

 

And that's about it. If you are deemed to have passed each element of the POKE test one of the examiners will go and heat up the branding iron and you will be awarded your never to be got rid of again label.

 

If however you fail any aspect of the test above or there is consideration that you cheated (filled up on marshmallows before the test time for instance ) you will subsequently be referred for the HOKE test. In three elements (O, K and E) this is identical to the POKE test as it still looks at whether ASD is a correct dx, but rather than Personality, it looks at Healthiness more generally. This can involve a lot more telescopes.

 

"had" makes it sound like some kind of communicable disease

Did they not tell you that it is? Once officially branded you will then be referred to the Centre for Tropical Hygiene and Communicable Diseases in London and you do not want to know what they do in there... Fortunately they have employed Mr Little "Look into my eyes" Britain to erase memories post-treatment which may be for the best.

 

 

*Note: I may have an ASD but I also have a (very warped) sense of humour. Some of the above may not be entirely true.

 

[Tally]

at Mumble!

 

Welcome to the forum Spas

 

You've actually done really well to get this far. Most adults with Asperger's have a hard time trying to get a formal diagnosis.

 

I would have thought the procedure will be fairly similar to the assessment for ADHD. You'll probably have to speak to a psychologist for a while about your difficulties. They may also need to speak to your parents or someone else who knew you as a child to get an idea about your early childhood development. Different people work differently, so it's difficult to know exactly what is going to happen.

 

Do you know anything about Asperger's yet? Do you think it makes sense? It is possible to have both Asperger's and ADHD, so you don't necessarily have to rule out ADHD yet.

[Tenhands]

Hello Sean

 

Wot Mumble and Tally say sounds right to me !

 

Was referred to a psychologist to evaluate my OCD and the diagnosis came about after several sessions (Strictly, I suppose discussions, however reluctant, could be categorised as testing). From there, we continued with sessions to identify my relevant issues and how these could be supported at home and in the workplace. I continue to recieve support from Mental health services and see an Asperger Consultant Nurse Specialist on a regular basis, which helps a lot.

 

It might help to read up about Asperger's ADHD but remember that we are all different and have different degrees and a different mix of characteristics. Try and build up a general understanding of it, make a list of questions you'd like answered and take them to your health professionals. Hopefully, you will find then as supportive as mine are. There is a lot of information out there now that wasn't around when I was diagnosed.

 

Sometimes having a diagnosis is good as you finally have a reason to explain how things are but sometimes it's upsetting as it acts as a reminder of what you can't do (and so frustrating as it's things that seem to come naturally to the neurotypical people).

 

nb, after POKE / HOKE therapy and the branding is done, you have to move on to JOKE therapy as "laughter is the best medicine"

 

Remember - people with Asperger's have NO sense of humour at all.

Good luck

from

tenhands

Edited July 8, 2010 by Tenhands