Replies to 'Asperger's Syndrome'

I do not know if you have taken advantage of the opportunities that the public school system offers parents.  Special Education Services are willing to help you with your situation.  They can and  do offer to test your child.  They will also observe your child in a class room setting. They do need your permission to do these tests.  Once the tests are done and they tell you what they can do to help you, you can take their results and concerns to a Psychiatrist that specializes in the area you need, (whether that is Asperger's or something else).  

Public schools are not all the same, see what yours is willing to offer and what the law REQUIRES them to offer.  It is a lot harder for a doctor to dismiss a parent's concerns if those concerns are shared by those that are considered to be equally  "educated". ( you know your child better than anyone, if you truly feel there are concerns that need to be addressed, don't stop until they are! ) 

Cody, our youngest son, was in the public school system since he was 3. I home school him now because my husband and I felt that it would beneficial for Cody.  Most of the teachers Cody had were lacking some very common teaching skills, some common human skills and the district is not equipped with the knowledge as to where to place and help children with Asperger's Syndrome.  Children Cody's age (12) begin to form clicks in schools and bullies tend to be a bit more rough then in the elementary ages they  also have found ways to bully others without being physical.  It is very easy for those that don't fit the mold to stand out and to be ostracized.  He did not have any friends (if you asked him, a friend is someone who would not be mean to him) only those that tolerated him. For Cody it was best we removed him from this situation, he was beginning to suffer emotionally and academically. My husband and I thought long and hard before removing Cody from the public school setting and for us, we believe we have made a good decision. 

I wrote that last part only to show that a child with Asperger's ( any child really) and the parents who raise that child need support, knowledge and a willingness to do all they can to help that child be all they can be. The sooner you get that support, that knowledge, the better!  We are grateful for the help we received from public school system when it worked for our son.  The time came to take another avenue.  Look for all the avenues you can, and don't fret when they don't lead were you hoped they would.. just try another!  

 The responsibility of being a parent is a gift, don't throw it away.

What you describe when there is a fire drill at school might be auditory sensitivity.  Many children with autism/ asperger's have sensory sensitivities.  They experience not only anxiety with loud noises but actual pain.  Often children with this sensitivity cannot tolerate the hum of fluorescent lights which are in almost all classrooms.  Most people don't even hear this hum, but to kids with this sensitivity it can be distracting or even painful.

Many doctors are hesitant to label a child autistic.  Parents are more accepting (for what ever reason) of the diagnosis of ADD.  The important thing is that they need a diagnosis to get services from the schools.  What ever your son's diagnosis his Individualized Education Program (IEP) should be adapted to fit his needs regardless of diagnosis.

See my message of November 12. 

Our kids might not be able to catch a baseball or skip, but they have so many other talents to accentuate!  Compliment him often on the things he is good at.   When he is into one of his "interests" get interested with him.  My son changed interests so quickly I could hardly keep up but we have had fun together with them.

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at the age of 5. He is 11 now. Your son sounds alot like mine. He was very obsessed with many things(staring at his reflection in mirrors and glass for hours,lining up his toy cars in order over and over again, we couldn't leave the house without him either wearing his batman costume, or carrying a dump truck). Sensory overload so bad, that he would literally lay down on the floor at the grocery store or Walmart. He can memorize the complete dialouge of a television program. He has been in special education since kindergarten, and is doing quite well. He still has a one to one aide at school, is in regular class rooms, but needs to take the special bus because of his inability to control himself on the bus.(Too much noise).

He was late in walking, late in speaking sentences, and wasn't toilet trained until he was 4. I was convinced that he had a hearing problem. He would not answer me or acknowledge me unless I put my face in front of his to get his attention. After a hearing test(which proved he could hear), his pediatrician said it was "selective hearing." My concerns about my son's delays were not taken seriously by his doctor. I was always told he would grow out of it. Being my only child, I had nothing to compare him to, so I just thought that everything was fine,and I must be an overly concerned parent.

He has the gross motor skills of a child half his age, but his fine motor skills are only 2 years behind his peers. He has always made alot of odd sounds(chirpping,squeaking,excessive throat clearing), but when he was 9 he started making odd movements too(placing his chin on his shoulder,throwing his arm out to one side extremely fast,and wanting to walk on his toes).When he was 10, he was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome too.

He is very awkward in social situations. He still receives speech therapy 3x a week. Communiction is still a big hurdle for him. He says inappropriate things, and often talks about things that are not the topic of his conversations. He is very rude, but he doesn't know it. He will make eye contact now, but he will not wear any shirts that have collars or buttons.

My son is a delightful child. He has come along way since we first heard about the Autistic Spectrum. The few behaviors that you said your son exhibits,sounds an awful lot like autism to me.What you said about his coordination is a big red flag. I hope your son will be able to get the diagnosis soon. I wish my son was daignosed when he first started showing the signs(about 2 1/2). Talk to everybody that works with your son, especially his school. Has he been evaluated by the school district?