(ASDS) Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale

BY BRENDA MYLES, STACEY BOCK, RICHARD SIMPSON

Diagnosing Asperger Syndrome can be difficult because its characteristics often resemble those of autism, Attention-Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, and even behavior disorders. With the ASDS, however, you can quickly rule out other diagnoses and determine the likelihood that a child or adolescent has Asperger Syndrome. The test covers five areas of behavior: Cognitive; Maladaptive; Language; Social; and Sensorimotor. While total scores serve to identify those with Asperger’s, scale scores provide clinically rich information about each child’s specific deficits. The ASDS is a good place to start when you suspect that a child may have Asperger Syndrome.