Is there any way to do a test online to see if this could be the issue with our daughter. We are having and have had so many issues with her. We have seen a pyciatrist and it was very unhelpful. We just don't know where to turn, She is overweight, and hoards, takes things, our relationship is suffering as well. HELP
Another vote for talking to the school district and having her evaluated. Be aware that Autism is more difficult to diagnose in girls than in boys. I had a relative who wasn't diagnosed until she was 35!
Even if it isn't Autism, it sounds like she could benefit from being evaluated.
No.
Try a psychologist, they can sometimes be better at diagnosis than psychiatrists.
Not nearly enough information here.
How old is your daughter?
What is her communication like? Is she communicative? Is she social?
You cannot diagnose HFA online, but you can look up the DSM-IV criteria pretty easily. http://www.firstsigns.org/screening/DSM4.htm
High Functioning Autism is truly a disorder of communication and socialization and rarely associated with obesity or hoarding. There may be something else going on with your daughter, but you would need to see a psychologist (not a psychiatrist) to determine the specifics.
Honestly, what you need is a different psychiatrist. Just because the current one is unhelpful doesn't mean they all are.
You could probably use an online test to satisfy your own curiosity, but it wouldn't be medically valid -- i.e., it wouldn't get you access to any kind of treatment through your insurance, the schools, etc.
I would also caution you a little against picking a diagnosis and then seeing if it fits. That's basically driving the diagnostic car in reverse. Who knows, she could have something rare that most people don't know about. And if you start with a new psychiatrist, it's better to go in with a clean slate -- say, these are the symptoms, what do they mean? If the psychiatrist is biased by a conclusion you've drawn (rightly or wrongly) it muddies the diagnostic waters.
Overweight, hoarding and taking things are not specific to autism. How old is your daughter? Have you contacted your school district? Most areas have Early Intervention and will evaluate children at no cost - this is prior to age 3 or 4. They will also evaluate for free after that, but the pre-school early intervention isn't available. But other services could be available.
Talk to your pediatrician, and talk to the school district. I wish you luck.
Age is missing. That would help tremendously.
After reading both your posts, it sounds like you should look into attachment disorder/attachment issues. Is she someone who needs to be in control all the time, including in control of what she eats, when and where? Kids with attachment problems have issues with honesty, stealing, and anything dealing with power. Please look up reactive attachment disorder.
I feel for you. I have adopted 3 kids, all of whom have attachment difficulties to some extent. It is a difficult thing to deal with, but they say that knowing is half the battle. Good luck!
Find a counselor. If you didn't feel like the psychiatrist was getting the gist of things, family counseling could narrow the focus and give you coping skills. If the first guy you pick is unhelpful, try again till you get help. For your sake and hers.
I doubt it's autism either. There are many other diagnosic possibilities including personality disorders.
It could be her problem, it could be your problem.
An Internet diagnosis without intimate knowledge of the situation would be useless without follow up tx. Just because you can name it, it won't fix it. Believe me, I know.
