Hi, I have been reading all of the posts here and I did not see anything on Asperger's. I would really enjoy being a member of this group, but I do not want to step in where I do not belong.
Hi. I have a son with Autism, another son with Asperger's and two grandkids with autism and autism spectrum disorder. It's all the same thing - just varying degrees - basically because no one really knows. It took years to diagnose my son with Asperger's - they thought it was ADD - and I'm still not sure - I think it may be somatic pragmatic language disorder. The thing is - no matter what the diagnosis - all these kids are different and experience autistic like symptoms to varying degrees - but all of us parents have a lot in common - so - yes, you're in the right place.
My 8 year old has Asperger's also. It is on the autism spectrum and presents it's own unique challenges. I think that it's wonderful that there are so many parents on boards like this that understand what other parents are going through and offering advice and support!
I have 5 children my youngest son has a genetic disorder and is in the hospital twice a week with infusions and is feed via a g-tube. My 8 year old daughter is dyslexic , has a high sensory disorder, hits herselof and is just not social. It is to the point were I hae to send her away to my parents sometimes because she hurts herselfand the other children so bad. She is so contented by being alone. It really saddens me. She never seems to really connect with anyone. I am very frustated because our nephew is autistic and his mom is the only one I can relate to. I dont want her to be autistic but everything points to it and we went to a support group for people that have children with aspergers and it was one of the first times I didnt feel like a misfit. How do you go about diagnosis? sorry for the length thanks for reading. Do I have a place here or not?
kewlmomto5, Personally, we began the diagnosis process through our pediatrician. Since your daughter is older, she might fall in the Asperger's Syndrome category. I say this because classic autism is hard to miss whereas Asperger's sometimes gets under the radar . . . especially if she is very verbal. If her pediatrician is not well versed in Asperger's, you might want to take a list of the symptoms and show him how they match us with what you're experiencing at home. Nobody wants to hear that their child is on the spectrum. However, there IS help. For example, with the sensory issues she has, there are ways to address them either with an occupational therapist or at home that will help make her life alot less chaotic. My son was VERY adversive to water. For example, iIt was like putting scolding water on him if he got caught in the rain. However, after continually doing exercises with him to get his skin accustomed to the sensation of "wet," he now goes to water parks, swims, doesn't have to use an umbrella, etc. Addressing her sensory issues will help her in other troubled areas that you've named. Kewl, I KNOW that getting that diagnosis is devastating. However, knowing in the back of your mind that it's probably there yet not acting upon it is even rougher. I've been in both positions. I'll be praying for you and your daughter (as well as your youngest child). Blessings. Christy
Don't worry about the labels - I've found that all kids with ASD are very unique and different. Your daughter does sound like my older son who has Autism. Hitting himself was something he either picked up in his Autistic class or grew into, because he did not do that until around age 9 or 10 - and he is now 26 and still goes into these type of angry fits, although he never hits anyone else. God bless your parents - mine told me to put him in a home. They didn't have much when he was young, but sensory integration is working wonders with my granddaughter and grandson who used to act act alot but are much better. My granddaughter also benefits from a doodle pad where she more or less draws what she wants to communicate. Deep breathing exercises also worked wonders if we got her to do them when we saw an outburst coming on. Good luck. - Maggie
Aspergers is hand in hand. the spectrum is a compilation of disabilities. Aspergers are what used to be called the indigo children. They do stand alone as you state but do thrive with the same steps as all Autism children do. Aspergers is also the emotional side of Autism. I am glad you asked, I have one..blessings
Kelwlmom, I started 17 years ago and found out when the second came that it is organice. If a sibling is NOS he still has Autism, as the other Ladys put it, levels. If one had 9 the other has at least 4. We found the 3rd child, a girk cousing, to be full blown Aspergers when she was 9, out of contol, angered , etc. Now with help she can diffuse, etc. She has the past track record in gen ed following her and makes it hard to place her, but i never stop and she is a happy little girl, one i hadnt seen for years after she started school. Keep trying. you can get a formal diagnosis through any childrens mental health center. See you pediatrician about it.
It is remarkable to me how many children, including my 16-year-old son, have AS. Although the literature says AS can occur at any intelligence level, a friend of mine who is a child psychologist at a children's medical clinic says she sees large numbers of physicians' and attorneys' children with AS. I personally have yet to see a child with AS who is not highly intelligent. Although they have poor social skills, they often have startlingly mature insights into the world around them.
Many parents of AS children feel alone. They don't share their child's diagnosis for fear their child will be ostracized when the truth is that everyone knows that the child is different .... they just don't know the name for it.
Without intending to, I have somehow become the hub of the wheel (or perhaps the social director) for professional parents of AS children in my city. They usually come to me through mutual friends for resources (experts, websites, books) but leave with the names of other parents of AS children. Naturally, I obtain permission before sharing names or diagnoses. On several occasions, a small group of us, all with teenage boys with AS and with neurotypical children without AS, have gotten our families together for uncomplicated outings: for example, Barnes and Noble, followed by a lunch at a sub shop a few blocks away. Our AS boys, all of whom are mainstreamed and all of whom make excellent grades, usually end up sitting next to each other on the floor of the science section in the bookstore; their neurotypical brothers and sisters go to another part of the store and share their frustrations about their siblings; and the parents go to the Starbucks counter to share suggestions, concerns, ideas, resources, and friendship. Our lives are all too busy to do it often, but each time we've managed to schedule an outing, it has been a special occasion.
We've discovered we have to choose movies carefully for any theatre outings, as some of the AS teens react strongly and negatively to violence. Makes you love them even more.
One thing that really helps me when I get frustrated with my Aspie child is to think, "Thank heavens that this child I love can live with me and receive my assistance. How horrible and sad it would have been if he had been born to a family that didn't understand, like, or help him. "
My son has no real friends, but that doesn't seem to bother him, as long as he has his family. He loves knowledge the way I love being around people. He is a Renaissance child without social skills. A true enigma. He may cure cancer someday, but his notebook will still be a chaotic mess ....
2007 literacy I like your name aspie child for AS children it sounds so cute and not like a label. Yes every AS child that I know of or have worked with is very intelligent, and is lacking in social skills. They are indeed blessings! Some very prominent men in history are suspected to have had AS! Einstein was one of them. Can you believe that?
I have Asperger Syndrome, too. I joined Ebay recently to sell some of my own items to see if this is something I can do from home since real-life jobs haven't been working out. Well after week one of listings, it seems I have no idea what I am doing but I really hope to figure this thing out. I'm glad to see someone else with AS in here!
At one of our Autism meetings we had a dentist come, we were trying to get a list of professionals in our areas who work with Autisic children. He asked "What do I need to expect from the kids, I am willing to do what it takes." We started laughing and the best way I ever heard the differences on the Autism Specturim even within the 5 broken down labels is this "Autism is as individualized as a finger-print. No two are the same." You can meet 50 kids with Autism, but none of them have the exact same problems. It is all in the degree of dificulties.
My 10 year old son has Asperger's and, like you, I wasn't sure about this group myself, but I'm sure glad I've found it. The people in the posts that I've read seem very knowledgeable and if I can gain even a little more info. about Asperger's it will be worth it.
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