GETTING TO KNOW YOU, PLEASE INTODUCE YOURSELF!!

Laura - posted on 06/04/2013

Crystal - posted on 02/16/2013

Hi, i am crystal. i am a proud mom of 3 sons 10,8 and 5 and my oldest was diagnosed at 7 with Aspergers. We had been through 8 different diagnosis ranging from ADHD to psychosis and many in between. It has been a long road, but an interesting trip. we have gone through the aggression, regression, meltdowns, issues with the school, stares from people in the grocery store and the therapies, counseling, and trial and error with meds. at this point he has started to understand he has a diagnosis and what it means, i am proud to say he is totally comfortable with who he is and has started to make friends :) He is a very talented artist he can draw with such great detail, but struggles with writing skills and can not for all of his letters correctly, he also has trouble reading, but he can do complex math problems with no pencil or paper and tell you anything you want to know about sea creatures, guns or just about any spider or snake you name off. he is forever seeking sensory input and rarely sits still. I could not have asked for a better set of brothers for him...they are there for him and really look up to him too. i am a stay at home mom. i had tried to work for a short period, but there was no way for me to work as much time as i was spending at the school and the doctors appointments. I have been extremely lucky to have such a great husband that works so hard for this family, but he is gone a lot ;(

Michelle - posted on 02/13/2013

Hi All: I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Michelle and I have one dreamy boy just shy of 6 with AS. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS when he was 19 months. He had no speech delay and quickly started displaying a lot of classic aspergian symptoms: Incredible memory, visual thinker, reading, adding and substracting at 3 - but was developing no voice of his own, was maniacly focused on particular toy/subjects, had no interest in other children, could not maintain a basic conversation outside of his interest, chronically constipated..... you get the picture. He's now almost six, has been officially diagnosed with Aspergers, has been in deep, intensive therapy for almost 3 years and he has thrived as a result. He still struggles with the "hidden curriculum". The social and sensory issues are a challenge BUT with the help of a really great team of folks he's doing well in a international tri-lingual, main-stream school here in Barcelona Spain where we live.

Dawn - posted on 01/18/2013

Hello everyone my name is dawn and I am new here I have two wonderful teenage boys who are 15 and 16 years old my oldest Brandon has Asperger syndrome we live in Germany due to my husbands job and I am still learning the language I am so glad to have found this site for at the base we are there are no support groups at for me or other moms that I am aware of I would love to talk and maybe get advice please feel free to replie Thank you

Julie - posted on 01/17/2013

Hi Helen and everyone here :). I'm Julie, mom to three boys, aged almost 10, 7 and 5. My 10-year-old has Asperger's Syndrome. Just a quick note to say hi and introduce myself.

Leslie - posted on 12/20/2012

Hi. My name is Leslie. I have 16 year old twins (boy/girl). My daughter has never been diagnosed with Aspergers but she has been tested. She was close but did not meet all the criteria for Aspergers. She shows many of the same characteristcs. She started really showing signs in 1st grade but looking back there were signs before hand. She is currently on an IEP in school for behavioral issues and has been on one since 4th Grade. We moved schools/towns between 2nd and 3rd grade. In the move, the new school district was much more accepting of services to help her. She is very smart and very conciencious of school work. She usually gets A's and B's. I'm glad I found this group.

Emmy - posted on 11/14/2012

That sounds awesome! Please tell us more and is your online site for the public?

Nancy - posted on 11/14/2012

Hello, I'm new to the group. I am a mom of a 16 year old and a 30 year old , both with Asperger. I have Asperger as well. We are also in NC.

I started a school for Asperger last year , using a 100% digital model. The students have an innate talent with computers and are achieving amazing growth, both academically & socially.

This summer we launched our on-line model that is also helping families to see new joy in their child's learning ad social communication skills.

We are proud of our students and thrilled that families are coming together in valuable family time at home.

Emmy - posted on 11/13/2012

Hello everyone! I'm new to the site and am thrilled to have found it. My youngest child (10) was diagnosed with Aspergers 5 years ago and last year with ADD. I've been reading everything I can to find out more about these syndromes. My first 2 kids-daughters-ages 24 and 19 were completely normal developing children so I was a bit confused. They do have different fathers and 8 years ago my husbands sister had a child diagnosed with autism.It got me thinking bout my boy. About 2 years before his diagnosis, all my babies were in a pretty bad car accident and he sustained a skull fracture. It was horrible, but, we got through it. Strangely enough, his behaviors worsened and eventually he was diagnosed. Its been such a struggle. I have advanced M.S. and he keeps me busy but I wouldn't trade him for anything! His sense of humour THRILLS ME! Just a quick one- i told him a couple weeks ago that we had a leak under the sink-his reply-"Great, now we're gonna have to vacate the premises and burn the house down"-completely serious! Aww the good times! Thanks for the opportunity to discuss-Em

Theresa - posted on 08/14/2012

I am the mom of two daughters, a 11 yr old and a 9 yr old, when my 9 yr old was 4 she was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, She will be starting 4th grade Next week...it is not the easiest road in the world...like most of your children, My daughter has adhd, Aspergers, and sensory integration disorder,

Lisa - posted on 08/14/2012

Hey, my name is Lisa, my daughter is 5 years old nearly 6, and I'm now a bit over whelmed as I have always thought something has not added up with my daughters social skills. I put it down to myself being a single parent just has been just us 2 since she was 18 months old so thought she just relied on me more then other children. We have just started the process of getting her assessed now someone has actually listened to me and had her referred and after the first assessment they have said it does seem she has Asperger syndrome.

Veronica - posted on 05/20/2012

Hello, I have a boy who is 8 years old and has been diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD for about three years now. I have found myself fighting with the school to educate him properly and make sure he is taken care of while he is in school. Right now he is below basic in everything. I feel like the school has set him up for failure from the beginning. I worry that they don't because at one point, he talked about how he was going to escape the school. I am frustrated beyond measure and feel so helpless right now. He has to go back to the same school next year and with the same teachers, whom he has had issues with almost daily. I am not allowing him to return to that school and have no clue on how to teach him at home, for fear he will not participate. He does have an IEP, and has therapy at school, but it seems his classroom teachers are the problem. Any help or advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Jessica - posted on 03/27/2012

Hi my name is Jessica and I am an adult with Aspergers raising my 7 year old daughter who was diagnosed with Aspergers a year and a half ago. I had always struggled with being "the weird girl" growing up. I battled so much depression and confusion not knowing what was "wrong" with me. I was like many other girls with Aspergers, never diagnosed. I always thought I had Dyslexia and ADHD. It wasnt until my daughter was diagnosed and I learned about Aspergers that it all made so much sense. Now I feel that I struggled so she wont have to suffer as much or feel alone like I did. I feel my daily challenges as a parent are doubled though. There are so many things I'm trying to teach her that I have to try to learn for myself first. Many issues that neuro typical parents don't have to face. She has been an enormous blessing in my life. She has shown me strength and determination when I would feel only despair.

Minet - posted on 03/10/2012

My name is Minet. My son is 8 years old and was diagnosed when he was 3. He is very high functioning and people would never know he has Aspergers to look at him. He is very technologically minded and eats only a handful of items. I'm excited to find a forum where I can get advice from others like me.



I also have a daughter who is 5 and does not have Aspergers.

Kerri - posted on 02/25/2012

Hello my name is Kerri, and I have 5kids, Kadin(6y) he has Asperger Syndrome/ADHD, Henry(4y), Shane(3y), & the twins Karely & Olin (13monthsold). It's been a really long learning process with my Kadin, he is very hard to deal with, as he is always changing his mind, like he has a lot of costumes and he changes a lot in to them, if my Henry will not play he threats to leave, we are working him, he is wonderful at school, but once home he is different, love him bunches

Ilene - posted on 11/18/2011

Hi. My son just turned eight this week and is in second grade. I always thought his symptoms were ADHD and thought he was super shy. School has been telling me for two years that he is autistic but with the standard definition he didn't fit I refused to believe it. He does however fit the definition of Asperger's. We saw a psychologist yesterday who said his symptoms did sound a lot like asperger's but that she needed to do a full evaluation to diagnose it. I'm pretty certain he has it. He is very smart, sensitive and a sweet kid, but he is having a hard time making friends at school because of his behavior and shyness. I guess I should have seen the symptoms earlier. Thinking back to it, there were lots of traits earlier that I brushed aside.

Shontae - posted on 11/07/2011

Hi, My name is Shontae. I have an 11 year old son with Asperger's. He was diagnosed in April 2010. The school system took so long to get him an IEP that he had to repeat the forth grade. I always knew that he was alittle different,I has been really eye opening for us. I am better able to handle situations. He amazes me everyday. My family members don't seem to understand, Asperger's syndrome. and they think that I use it as an excuse, but all I can do is Pray for them.

Christina - posted on 04/11/2011

Hi everyone! I have two beautiful little girls, Nicole Maria, who's 5, and Carolyn, who's 17 months. Nikki was diagnosed with ADHD a little over a month ago, but I know there's more to it. Her doctor (a behavioral neurologist) did say she shows signs of ODD as well, but I truely believe she has AS. And I'm at a loss.

Nikki currently has a CPSE. She receives OT, PT, and Speech, the max allowed for each. She needs to use a weighted vest, a weighted blanket, and different things to chew on at school, such as Chewy Tubes or even gum. She has sensory issues that range from her having meltdowns just from having her face washed, to even me missing a piece of a tag that I've cut out of her shirt. Even when we go into certain stores, the lights bother her, and she insists that she has to ride on the bottom of the shopping cart.

Here's my issue. Her teacher basically shrugs me off whenever I tell her I feel that there's something more than ADHD. Nikki is VERY well behaved at school. Since September, she has had maybe 5 instances where she was misbehaving, and they were all within the past couple of months. She has a great support system at her school, and I am terrified for when she starts kindergarten in the fall. We go for her CSE meeting in 2 weeks, and I'm afraid that they're going to take services away from her. I don't even know what type of specialist I should bring her to to see if I'm right or wrong. Please help!!

Helen - posted on 04/05/2011

Welcome everyone!!!!

Carolyn - we are in Greensboro, moved here from Charlotte :)

Michelle - posted on 04/04/2011

Hi everyone :) I'm Michelle. I have 3 sons; 18, 14 & 12. Jordan is the youngest and has AS & ODD. As a toddler I knew he was very unique and different. We often referred to his different approach to life as being "just jordan" or when he would retreat to his own little world and entertain himself, it was known as "jordan's world". When he was in the 3rd grade he was diagnosed with ADD (borderline, very mild) so we began taking meds. Unfortunately the ADD meds only made him more violent, somewhere between his first diagnosis and the end of 4th grade he started taking an antidepressant for anxiety and we stopped the ADD meds. Thus began the merry-go-round of possible diagnosis over the next couple of years. He was in & out of counselors; there was the possibilty of OCD (still see some of that- the very unorganized almost hoarding side of it). We went thru the testing for the schools (public) and he remained under the ADD umbrella and was given an IEP to help accommodate his needs in that area. This year he began middle school (7th grade) and it has been by far the worst year for him. His pediatrician & I discussed the possibility of AS and from there we took him to a specialist and he was officially diagnosed less than a month ago. We still have a lot to learn, the school staff (particularly his spec. ed teacher is uneasy; I don't think she has much experience or knowledge of AS) is also trying to find the best approach to helping him as much as possible.

Carolyn - posted on 03/15/2011

hi helen (& everyone else)! our daughter was dx bipolar at age 3 1/2 (very strong family history of it) and november 2010 we got the asperger's dx. totally blew us out of the water. wasn't expecting that at all. we have an appt next month with the TEACCH program (in greenville, wondering where in nc you are, helen?). hoping to get some answers/help from them. we're in eastern nc. we're both out of work. my hubby got laid off 1 1/2 years ago. and we had to move in with my parents. i had to quit my job since it'd be really hard to commute from nc to md (lol). so we're broke, unemployed, living with my parents and a 10 yr old hormonal girl with bp & asperger's...i'm losing my mind. my therapist actually told me to get on this site & look for some moms dealing with similar stuff. glad i found this place :)

Cathy - posted on 03/07/2011

Hey, I'm Cathy I have twin 8 year old boys.
durning last summer my son Cameron was diagnosis with Asperger,Adhd,and mental impaired due to his speach. He is an awesome kid. Cameron and Dylan keeps me hopping.We pray everday for him. both boys are in 2nd. grade. and there struggling.Cameron is in special edd. and Dylan is getting tested for special ed.

Helen - posted on 10/31/2010

Hi Heather!! Welcome!!!! Mali and Tristan do sound alot alike!! Where in NC are you? We are in Greensboro. It's so nice to know you are not alone. In the beginning when he was first diagnosed I felt like I was the only one in the world and noone could possibly know what I was going through but it has been great having support with sites like these etc.

I will let Tristan know you enjoyed the video :)

Heather - posted on 10/19/2010

Helen, please tell Tristan his video is AWESOME!!! Made me cry (a happy tear)!

My name is Heather, I have three daughters, 13, 10 and 2. We live in NC also =) My 10 y/o daughter, Mali, sounds so much like Tristan! Mali was officially diagnosed with ADHD and ODD at 6, SPD at 7, and AS at 8 years old. She started reciting cartoon scenes and songs verbatim when she was 2 years old, and she now reads on a 11th grade level. This child flies through video games faster than anyone I know. She has amazing hand/eye coordination, but avoids eye contact as much as possible. She lacks the ability to get dizzy, and is comforted by extreme pressure and motion, so roller coasters are big family fun for us ;-)

School was a nightmare for the first few years (I'll spare you the gory details), but she spent some in day treatment last year, and she's doing great in an inclusion classroom this year in the 5th grade! She still struggles with some things, but is learning to predict and cope with her own triggers, becoming her own advocate, and tries to help other children understand who she is. She's witty, intelligent, loud, literal, spastic and fantastic!

It's wonderful to hear from other mothers of children with AS. Such a wild ride, and too often, a ride we take alone. For all the mothers still struggling every day with your Aspy children - I've been there... there is hope. It does get better!

Helen - posted on 10/14/2010

Wow I really feel for you!!!! I don't have any wonderful advice for you, all I can say is take it one day at a time and hang in there. At least you are on the right path and trying to get things figured out the best you can. You have to do what you feel in your heart is right for him. I hope you find all the answers you need and support around you and good luck with starting that support group, that sounds like an excellent thing!!!!

Desire - posted on 10/14/2010

Hello ..I have a 10yr son...he has been diagnosed with ADHD when he was 4yrs. Then 2 yrs ago he was Diagnosed with ASD/PDD...Now we are going through the Process with TEECH here in Wilmington, NC to have him diagnosed with Asperger's. His therapist stated 2 yrs ago she thought he was an Aspy....Now with Intensive home therepy, Day Treatment school, violent extreme behaviors. Then there are also the daily living skills, social skills or rather lack there of...His constant nightly urination, disrespect...What does a parent do to remain sain around here. The doctors are wanting to place him in a PRTF... A Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility...I just can't do it. I was laid off of work due to missing too much time for appointments, and therapy...I have joined our School Parents support group, and I am also talking with NAMI about starting a support group for school age kids with development learning disabilities...I have learned to be very pro-active....But how much can a parent take??? His obsession with taking mechanical things a part, electrical things....and now a knife fascination...I am almost to my breaking point...Any suggestions????

Helen - posted on 10/06/2010

Hi Carol, thanks for sharing. He sounds like a cutie pie!! We have had some really dark times too but it does get better!!!!

Carol - posted on 10/06/2010

Hi everyone. My name is Carol. I have only one child, Alec. He is almost 9 and we felt he had AS for a few years, he was officially dx'ed two years ago. Along w/ AS his has ADHD, anxiety, SPD, and a mild form of Turretts Syndrome. He is such a loving boy, but has such a hard time socialy. It breaks my heart sometimes when kids that dont understand him treat him bad. Things right now, in this moment, are going fairly well. The end of the last school year was the most difficult time in our journey. His anxiety was so very bad, he was having mightmares every night. His ADHD was so bad at school that I finally agreed to try him medic ines to help him get through the day. The med he took increased his anxiety so bad he was having halucinations. It was like my 8yr old was on LSD. This was by far the worst time of my life, watching my baby go through this. Now he is off ADHD meds, but on an anxiety med. So far he's been great, especialy at school. Well that's are story so far. Thanks for listening.

Helen - posted on 09/15/2010

Welcome Aimee!!!! Love your son's name as that is my son's name too :)
He sounds like such a little joy. I know there are some rough days too but like you said, all the things about them are the best parts, I wouldn't change one thing about my son because then that wouldn't be him. We struggled for years trying to get answers and figure out what was going on with him and finally when we got the diagnosis and got educated we were able to make his life better. With the diagnosis comes accomodations in school that will hopefully make it easier and better for him to learn and grow. I wish you the best of luck with everything, Tristen sounds adorable!!!!

Aimee - posted on 09/15/2010

Hi! My name is Aimee and I have a 6 year old son, Tristen, who is in the process of being diagnosed with AS. I have known something was wrong or a little "off" all of his life, however, when he started pre-school at age 4 everything really went crazy and that is when we knew he needed an intervention. He has already been diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder and pretty severe SPD, but we have yet to get our diagnosis for AS on paper. He goes in October to see a developmental pediatrician who I am told will help us get teh diagnosis and any help we need for our son. Everyday is a struggle. Tristen is a very bright boy who memeorizes movies, songs, and documentaries..He is passionate about things that interest him and is a straight 'A' student. He LOVES to learn and his teahcers ususally become his best friends. On a not so positive note, he has NEVER made an actual "friend" and at recess he lays in the dirt and digs instead of interacting with the other children . He chews on EVERYTHING...ruining most of his shirts and despises unexpected noises/sounds. He thinks people he doesn't know are "strangers" and makes sure he loudly announces this in front of them. (which can be quite embarassing at times). All in all, Tristen is a great joy and while he is different and there is no one like him, that may be the best part! I love my son and I am doing what it takes to fight for the life he deserves. I wish all of you the best with your AS children!

Tami - posted on 08/24/2010

Susan, no need to apologize, I understand exactly how you feel!

Our little guy (and also his Mom) seem to be Aspies with ODD. And I got through it all with her and we didn't know 30 years ago how to get her any help for it, so now with my Grandson it is all alot clearer and we are more focused on how to help him.

Yes the negativity and opposition can be quite frustrating! If I say to him for example, look at those beautiful flowers he will turn to me and say meanly, those are NOT beautiful flowers they are UGLY! And he is what we call the opposite boy. If you say the one thing heusually comes back at you with the opposite.

What did they do for your son for the ODD? What if my Grandson ever gets that diagnosis with Aspergers and we don't want him on meds, is there anything else that helps with it? Take care and good luck!

Helen - posted on 08/20/2010

I don't think you sound negative!! As with all things there are positives and negatives. All you can do is try to understand what is going on with him and do your best to help him!!!! It's only been a year since the diagnosis. We've had our diagnosis for 4 years and things are always changing and you're always learning something new. Hang in there and good to meet you!!

Susan - posted on 08/18/2010

Hi, my name is Sue. I have 2 children too, Dominic is 9 and has Asperger's syndrome and Shannon is 4.5. Dominic was diagnosed just over a year ago. He has AS in conjunction with Oppositional behaviour. We were coping quite well as a family with the diagnosis and put various strategies in place to support him. However, he's become aggressive and very negative. We're finding this very challenging to cope with at the moment. There are good and bad patches but while I will love him always I don't understand him at the moment.... sorry if that sounds negative!

Thanks for sharing

Tami - posted on 08/14/2010

My Granddaughter's bday is also in mid Dec. and we usually have family parties only with just a few friends. We have tried parties that were at play centers and she also looks anxious and "out of sorts" after them. She also can't handle bowling parties as an example due to the fact that she becomes so focused on "winning" that she can't relax and enjoy herself. Her last bday party was at a ceramics place and they all made something to take home, and that party she enjoyed and was relaxed.

She is in a social skills board game class for most of this year to help her learn the skills to play with other children and to learn that you can have fun no matter whether you win or lose. She used to have a lot of problems with going out to eat, and she loves Friendly's but we have to ask to sit by a window near the less busy section. And if they sang happy bday to someone while we were there she used to have a meltdown, but she is lately doing much better with that, it's my 3 yr old Grandson who is now struggling with that.

Thanks again and take care!

Helen - posted on 08/14/2010

Wow that's so great that you are so involved with your grandchildren and knowledgeable about AS and SPD. I have explained everything to my parents of course and they are wonderful grandparents but I know they don't totally "get it". I love to hear about grandparents being so involved.



As far as the parties went, we always only did family parties. His birthday is Dec 22 so really close to Christmas so he would always already be on winter break so I never did anything involving kids. Whenever we did family parties at home he was perfectly fine with it. One time we did a party at a restaurant, again it was close to Christmas and loud and chaotic so that didn't go over very well. Recently my neice had a party at "Monkey Joe's" where they have huge inflatables for the kids to play on. He held it together really well but by the time we got in the car I could tell he was really bothered and anxious. As far as the birthday song we never had a problem with that.



I will let Tristan know that you liked the video :)

Tami - posted on 08/14/2010

Thank-you so much for posting that video:O)

My 7 yr old Granddaughter has Aspergers, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Non Verbal Learning Disorder. She will be going in to 2nd grade this Fall. She has lived with me since she was a baby and I am one of her caretakers. Her Mom is taking a break from working right now, and is going back to college. She couldn't do that when my Granddaughter was younger but now she needs less of her Mommy's focus and time so it is now possible to get her college degree.

My Grandson is 3 and a half and he lived with me up until the age of 2. He is like a carbon copy of his cousin in relation to Aspergers and SPD. He has not been formally diagnosed yet.

Both of them are wonderful and loving children. There are some daily struggles, but we all work through it together.

I saw pictures of bday parties in this video, how was your son with the loudness of a bday party and the bday song? My 2 Grandchildren had some real issues with that, and the 7 yr old isfinally now doing better with it.

Thanks again for the video, and thank Tristan for me:O)