Replies to 'Asperger's Syndrome'

Opportunities such as IEP's, BIP's, testing including IQ.  They can  help you find, and offer to send you to, conventions, programs, and meetings that have to do with your son's condition.  They also, (often) have special libraries with books, tapes and videos that provide more information and ideas.  The public schools here in Texas use licensed professionals to test and observe your child.  I'm not sure where you live but here in Texas when your child enters the special education program you have ARD meetings every year to discuss what changes you, or they, would like to make in your son's educational structure plan.  I know you mentioned an IEP but it seems like (from what you've said) the school seems to be dragging their feet.  I hope they have given you a copy of your rights and  their obligations to you and your son.

These test and observational results are helpful when discussing things with your family doctor and your psychiatrist. It's helpful for your doctor to know all the little peculiarities that your son exhibits.  What if your son has more aggressive behaviors than ADHD behaviors? Wouldn't the correct or better suited meds be more helpful?  When Cody started having tics and exhibiting behaviors that were considered aggressive, and impulsive they put him meds that better suited the symptoms. 

I'm not sure what you mean by, "Homework has always had first priority in our home and I have supplemented it with worksheets from the web when I felt it necessary so he has avoided being "identified" by maintaining a c+/b- average."  (the last part is what is confusing me, Identified?)

  I feel the need to clarify the reason my husband and I pulled Cody out of public school.  Cody has always been an honor roll student and was in the gifted & talented program; I was told that was in part because of the Asperger's.  As far as him suffering academically before we pulled him out of public school, it was because there were so many "emotional incidences" (children bullying and picking on him ) in class that he was always being removed; this went on for 2-3 years. It got to the point that he was spending so much time in cool down that he wasn't getting any academics. They decided to put him in a behavioral class, for his safety. It was then the  teacher  had some real emotional problems. (that's a whole different and scary story)

My son does have an official diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, and all that does is help us focus on where to look for and obtain knowledge and ideas. It also helps when a new quirk pops up, we can look to see if that may fall under the Asperger umbrella or if it is something totally different.  Cody is not LABELED with Asperger's in any form or fashion.  We didn't see a need for it considering there are no medications that are made specifically for Asperger's.  Our doctors know what he has, we know what he has and that's all that matters. What also matters is that your Doctor knows what he is dealing with, Asperger's can come with all sorts of symptoms, anxiety, depression,  ADD,  and ADHD.  My son has tics, and has been also diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome.. I have heard of others that have been diagnosed with bi-polar.  It's in you and your son's best interest that he gets a clear picture and diagnoses by a licensed psychiatrist/physician.This is not to label him but to make sure everyone is on the right track and everyone, doctors and teachers, are doing exactly what you are doing, working for your son's best interests.

It does sound like your son may have Asperger's, but to ask other parents to be the authority on that is not fair to you, your son or  us.  YOU at this point in his life are the best authority your child will ever have, you are his mother and I can tell you care very deeply about his  well being and happiness.

God Bless!