Asperger syndrome is on the mild end of spectrum disorders or pervasive personality disorders. Because of the characteristics and criteria for diagnosis of asperger syndrome it is related to autism. Many times it has been considered a silent disability because it was only after 1994 when it was recognized in the DSM-IV and even later than that before professionals and parents recognized the condition.
Some consider asperger syndrome a developmental condition because the majority of individuals have normal intelligence and normal language development, but what falls short is social interaction. At this time there is no one specific conclusive diagnostic tests used to determine if an individual has asperger syndrome. Instead diagnosis and testing is done between the physician, a child\’s teacher and parents. At times, a psychologist is brought into the picture to evaluate peer relationships, reactions to new situations and the ability to understand feelings or other types of indirect communication.
In an effort to increase the social awareness of individuals who suffer from asperger syndrome, and therefore the acceptance of these individuals, there has been some development of individuals tasks which help to point sufferers in the direction of a potential diagnosis. While these tests are often found online, they may not be completely accurate. However, they do help to point individuals in the direction needed in order to find how for their social situation.
These online tests are more accurate in adult situations than they are in the pediatric population. In other words, most of them are designed to ask questions which relate to adult activities and not to those experienced in the classroom. Children are best served by an evaluation with their primary care practitioner, psychologist and with the assistance of their parents. Growing up with this disorder leaves children at higher risk to bullies and cruel teasing by their peers.
Children are more at risk because those with asperger syndrome will find that they are unable to interact socially with their peers in the way that their classmates are capable. Individuals with asperger often have difficulty with social communication, social interaction and social imagination. This basically means that, although these children have normal or above average intelligence and normal language development, they are often unable to participate in social interaction with their peers which sets them apart for teasing.
One online asperger syndrome quiz that may help individuals to determine their risk factor for this diagnosis can be found at http://www.piepalace.ca/blog/asperger-test-aq-test.
Adults who suffer from asperger syndrome find they are never really able to grasp conversations that involve small talk and would rather sit with the computer then with an adults. When adults approach their doctor for a diagnosis the testing usually starts with an IQ test.
Doctors may also administer an autism diagnostic observation schedule for high-functioning verbal young adults. Both tests allow a doctor to look at social communication skills and behavior.
Online tests should never be considered an alternative for a diagnosis by a licensed physician or psychiatrist.