Expert: James Michael Roan - 5/27/2009

Question
Dear Dr. Roan,
I'm a 32 year old women (living in Germany) and I was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by a team of specialists in Belgium (an institute called Indigo in Antwerpen). They did a lot of tests and talked with me for over 8 hours in total. Just: I don't have all the asperger symptoms like the typical way of speech or a specific field of interest and can look people in the eye. But I do have 'ticks', social issues etc. Is there such thing as a 'mild' form of aspergers? Looking at my life and my health, I certainly had my share of severe (social) problems. A young doctor in Germany today said he didn't believe the doctors in Belgium, but then he only saw me for 20 minutes and I can always leave a very good first impression (just not able to hold on to it)- and I have been on Sertraline for a couple of weeks now. What do I do? Is there a way tot let a good docter in the USA or Australia diagnose me without me having to fly over? - I don't have the money to fly because I've so far lose every job I got.
With kind regards from Germany, Judith

Answer
Hi Judith;

Yes, in my experience, Asperger's syndrome (AS) is on its own spectrum ranging from severe/borderline classic autism, to very mild/near typical. It is possible that you don't have Asperger's syndrome. It may be a nonverbal learning disability (NVLD), right brain dysfunction, and/or a frontal lobe dysfunction. What is it you are really looking for? Is it a valid diagnosis for insurance reasons, to get to the bottom of your difficulties? Let me know.

Kind regards,
James



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Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.