i think my boy may have aspergers , i need some advice ?

Angela - posted on 10/18/2012

Hello Kirstie I am pretty much in the same boat as you are right now with my 6 1/2 year old son. I am going to have him screened for AS. I am in the process of setting up an appointment soon. Have all of his prior teachers write a summary on all of the "red flags" they have noticed with your child. Also, start taking videos with your cell phone of any odd behavior you see with your child. I noticed that when I try to explain my son to therapists and other doctors I cannot explain his odd behaviors to them, so I have started taking videos so I can show it to them. Also, do a lot of research, I recommend two books, Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Miller and school success for kids with Asperger's Syndrome by Stephan M. Silverman. Good luck with everything I hope some of this will help you.

Shelby - posted on 10/13/2012

Hi Kirstie,

This sounds so like my son - his ability to put just about anything together amazes me to no end! My son is 10yr old and is diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD as well as a mood disorder.

It sounds like you have some really valid concerns and my best advice would be to go ahead and start reading everything you can get your hands on - find some coping strategies that work for him and for you as a mom. As for getting some help and a diagnosis, try to find a behavioral/mental health practice that includes counslers, physcologists and physchiatrists - the team of support is extremely helpful.

Anne - posted on 09/29/2012

Hi,

That is what I wondered, does Aspergers vary in level of severity, can it get worse over years, or get better? I have always known somethng wasnt quite right with my son but had never known about Aspergers until I stumbled on an article and now have devoured any info I could find. He fits many signs but not all. He is sweet, gentle and curious, he is immature for age, smart at math, science, factual things and not doing well with reading comprehension. He prefers to play alone with toy or computer, but has one or 2 friends who are smart and talkative types and tolerate him wanting to do things his way. He is wonderful to be with but as he gets older he is more left out and I worry so much. He is also difficult because he has meltdowns and seems to go into a trance, hates change, has anxiety, and nothing is easy some days. What are steps for testing, what should I tell school? Thanks moms!



Anne

Anaquita - posted on 09/16/2012

As Kathrine said it's repetitive movements, like hand/arm flapping, leg shaking, whole body shaking, or sometimes something more minor like tapping a finger repetitively without consciously doing it. Most people stim in some form, but those on the spectrum tend to do so far more.



And aspergers in itself IS a high functioning form of autism. You can have it mildly, where it's barely noticeable, or severely where there is no question if you have it. My son isn't too severe, but there's still no question that he has Aspergers. When the DSM-V comes out next year aspergers will no longer be a diagnosis. It will all be Autism Spectrum Disorder, (Or ASD) with sliding scales as to functioning and how mild or severe it is.

Katherine - posted on 09/16/2012

Stimming is a repetitive hand movement, like hand flapping.

Kirstie - posted on 09/16/2012

hi anaquita , thanks for your reply , can i ask what stimming is ? i dont think he is high functioning maybe more mild aspergers as he just has some funny ways that i think are different from other children his age , but again its difficult as sometimes i find myself saying oh its just him , but i worry if he carries on not socialising well as he gets older and moves into a new school he will get bullied :( i am going to persist in getting him checked , i have made notes and have letters from the school so will see what happens

Anaquita - posted on 09/15/2012

If he's high functioning enough, some doctors don't believe in diagnosing a kid until they're a bit older. (age 6-9) I can understand why, as it can mimic a social delay, but they shouldn't be so dismissive of you. Get, in writing, everything teachers, etc, at the school see. Then write down everything you see that may be an indicator. Not only what you listed here, but physical things, like stimming, if he walks or runs unusually, etc. And photocopy them a few times. Take one into the pediatrician, and demand a proper referral for testing. Either to an autism clinic, pediatric neurologist, etc.

Katherine - posted on 09/15/2012

So no one is listening? Take him to a specialist and have him evaluated. Also go to autism speaks and find a local autism chapter in your area so they can help you. That's about all I've got. Hopefully another mom can respond and help!