Expert: Paul Johnson - 5/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: My younger sister is 24 years old.  She has social issues, learning issues, throws tantrums, started skipping school in 3rd grade and dropped out of an alternative school in Jr High.  She has been working on her GED and has tried countless times with no success even after attending a workshop which helps you until you achieve your GED.  She has a slight speech problems and can stutter sometimes.  We never knew what was wrong and until a couple years ago I didn't know about the symptoms of autism or aspergers.  Since she is an adult where can she go to find out if she has one of these conditions?  Also, she doesn't like to admit she is different in any way...how can I help her willingly go for a diagnosis.

ANSWER: Dear Sara,

Thank you for your important and interesting question.

One thing that is quite clear about your sister is her desire to obtain her GED. This can be used to her advantage if you understood what was driving her ambitious to get her education so much. Once she is able to identify what she is so excited about achieving,she can then be told that a clear/concise clinician can make a diagnosis for her. The diagnosis can her her know what she can do to meet her goals.

Let her know that people on the Autism Spectrum of Disorders are differently abled not disabled. We are a creative and intelligent group and she should be glad to become one of us. let her know I would be proud to have her be one of us.

I can not tell from your description of her if she is on the spectrum but a diagnosis can help her learn how to understand who whe is better and others to know her as well.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Where can I find where to take her for a diagnosis?  We are in Oklahoma.

Answer
Most states have Autism societies. I believe this might be true for Oklahoma. I did not check to see if this is true. I would encourage you to do a search for Psychologist that serve adults with Autism
and Asperger's. Also the OASIS web site has a list of Psychologist that serve Autism.

Good luck and keep me informed of your search.