DeeDee - No she does not have an Asperger's diagnosis. She had several behaviors that fit (obsessed with animals, fears, trouble with transitions/change, impulsive, some lack of eye contact at times) but not the real tests (social problems, lack of empathy, lack of imaginational play etc - in fact they talked about how creative & imaginative she is). That was just the only thing both the teacher & parent forms indicated as a possibility. No one who knows her believed this was her problem - she's too social, has lots of friends, a great imagination etc.
They had an outside team come in to the school who specialize in Autism/Asperger's including a speech therapist & a psychologist.
After their observations & conversations & tests, they do not see Asperger's. They say she will qualify for Sp. Ed due to "General Anxiety Disorder". They do want to pay for an evaluation by a psychiatrist of their choice (basically they think she needs anti-anxiety meds). DD is not sure whether she will go if the psych. is not familiar with gifted kids & since all the info will be shared with the school.
I have mentioned the idea of having them due that type of behavior analysis which I've read about. I think that is critical. Also her teacher this year has not followed through with the Behavior Plans they've tried for more than a week or two at a time max. No consistency or follow through have been a big issue all year.
