Topic : 01/17 Extreme Disorders

I had never heard of this disorder before, but I was perplexed by some of the aspects of it due to my own attempts to "fix" personality problems of mine.  Frankly, I recognised aspects of it in myself including the rages, which I haven't had one in a while, and the overall problems with making and keeping friends.  Dr. Phil's symptom for kids up to 11 having an encyclopedia like focus on a particular area of interest also is right on for me as a kid (and to a lesser extent now). Could I have this?  Is there anything beneficial to me about knowing if I did? 

I have been plagued my entire life by a problem with getting along with people.  I'm 31 and have been on anti-depressants for several years.  A few years ago I was diagnosed with tendencies of borderline personality disorder, and I recognized what I read about that in the book.  The anti-depressants smoothed things out and gave me longer-term perspective on my emotional waves, but I still have a general problem dealing with people.   

As my last boss told me (as I was getting fired), I have an incredible ability to make people not like me.  Another person told me that she thinks I don't even realize sometimes when I have been rude to someone.  It is as if I am going through life speaking a completely different language, unable to know what I should be saying and unable to read signs that most people pick-up on right way. 

I have been concentrating on just trying to work on my personality, thinking perhaps I just have an arrogant personality.  But maybe there is something else going on? 

DRMobile 

Thank you for sharing your story with those posting here. 

For 13,  it sounds like you and your family have worked together to make your life all it can be! 

Your Mother & Sister, supporting you, is something that every child with AS needs. 

No reason to apologize for Displaying your achievements of your Grades, Be Proud!!  :) 

Socializing with non AS children is very important, as is a diagnosis & awareness of one. 

I pray that you will share your story with others even more, as it is inspiring to hear. 

Maybe more people could learn from your family on how to live with AS the *Right* Way. 

Let your Mom & Sister know... that what they have done, is let the hand of God hold & raise you up! 

Blessings to you & your family ~ Rose Pearls. 

What is the GF/cF diet. Where do I find it and read about it.Could you explain if this was helpful and for whom. 

Thanks  Gina 

my 18 yr old son was only diagnosed last year before graduation from high school with aspergers.  his whole life since 5 has been doctor after doctor diagnosing him with ritalin and 10 other medications that followed. teachers complained about his constant noises, wanted other meds.his laziness.  during puberty while still be treated with meds for add and adhd. meds had reverse reactions and made him self destructive and suicidal, but this is a boy who although has flare ups of rage has never tried to harm anyone but himself.  he has no empathy, his social abilities have declined since his 15 yr old suicide watch and hospital stays.    we are just beginning to understand what this is .  he started college this year and failed his 1st semester, lost his tuition from the state disablity agency, so we switch schools , brought, him home.  he thinks hes a failure . 

this is achild that scores high on tests, but anything can trigger distraction, irritation, i can't even put my arm on his shoulder and say i love you.  he gets this horrid look on his face and snaps, dont touch me.  I these last 3 years have been not understood by him about what is happening to him.  he needs help.  we are seeing another doctor tomorrow.  what else can i do to help my son.  you probably have seen him at work , he busses tables, his boss loves him ,so do his coworkers, he might have said hi to you.  you probably think he 's a normal young man. but when it comes to applying himself mentally, verbally.   its brutally becoming worse, what can i do?  

I have 4 year old twins.  They were adopted at 4 months.  One started having seizures at about 8 months.  The seizures worsened over time and more meds were added.  I decided to try a different doctor who took him off of 3 out of 4 of the meds and he has not had a seizure in almost a year now.  He does present some of the symptoms of Autism, but I didn't have a name for it.  I try to explain this stuff to doctors and they just think I'm trying to get a diagnosis for something that doesn't exist.  I'm not crazy.  He had the rage and can be quite unmanageable with it.  I don't take them to public places, because I get looks like people are thinking he just needs a good spanking.  He throws things and hits people and walls.  He bites, whew does he bite.  He has a deafening squeel.  He only wants to eat cracker and oatmeal pies.  He will eat other things.  He will eat a few bites of something, then want the crackers.  Not just any ole cracker. Has to be pnut butter toasted.  He is healthy and the doctors don't ever say anything about his physical health.  He is small for his age, but he was only 1 lb at birth and he has CP in his legs.  

I'm just frustrated because I can't get a diagnosis for what he does.  I've been told he "could" have; autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, touretts amount others, but no diagnosis has ever been made.  His pediatrician wants to lable his Mentally Retarded.  I will not accept this diagnosis, because he is very smart at what he wants to do. 

We go to see another doctor in a couple of weeks, that specialized in these types of problems and hopefully I can get something.   

Thanks for being here, mommashannon 

hi - I wanted to say that I applaud your willingness to go on national TV and tell what goes on in some Aspie homes.  I too have an Asperger's teen - actually 2 of them, a 19 yo girl and a 17 yo boy.  My husband is also Aspie I believe (and what is it Tony Attwood says? Not one wife has misdiagnosed an Aspie husband? <grin> ) 

There are days we are constantly at war.  Working outside the home at the moment is impossible.  School issues are daily.  Fears of the future are constant.   

While both my Aspie kids are on meds, it's not the end all be all arrangement, as you well know.  It has to do with their will and want, and often times that's the biggest obstacle... getting them to want to change and willing it to happen. 

I hope you find a way to take care of yourself and find ways to re-charge.  That's my biggest personal obstacle, is finding ways to recharge when I give so darn much on a daily basis.  

Just wanted to let you know that there were "others" out here and we get it!  We know you're not a bad parent.  We know you're at the end of your rope.  We know you'd do anything in your capabilities to move heaven and earth to make things even keeled, much less fixed.   Remember to breathe.  Find your faith.   

Know that others care 

Your theory isn't far from what a lot of the researchers are beginning to believe. Many of these disorders are accompanied with enhanced abilities in other areas of funcitoning. From what I understand since these things happen in the brain early on in development they create a differently organized brain. With this change comes enhancements to other areas of the brain. 

As one researcher said about dyslexia, "With this different brain comes special abilities. If you change the brain so the person learns normally you loose the special abilities." What is needed is to find a way for people with these differences to contribute within their own abilities.  

It's only a disability if we permit it to be. Many people have a lot to offer the world but they are required to do it within such a rigidly confined spectrum called "NORMAL" that they never succeed. By changing this expectation a whole new world could be opened up to them and the rest of the world. 

I watched the show alone, and then again I started to watch it with my husband. We wanted more. There wasn't much info about the resources that are available to children with AS. My son was initially diagnosed with ADHD (which is very common) when he was in first grade. And then in 3rd grade, we received the AS dx.  We spent a year in social skills classes, and is currently being followed by a psychiatrist who manages his medication.  

Life has been very turbulent, but I must say that right now things are going well. I was very lucky to have a school psychologist who was familiar with AS, many are not. This Dr. met my son in 2nd grade and knew that he had AS. After years of feeling like an unfit mother I found out that I wasn't a bad parent. All the decisions regarding my son's care have been difficult. It wasn't easy to decide to medicate him, but our life was changed for the better once we did.  

He has had his violent outburst, but he never wants to hurt anyone. One night he while we sat in the dining room, he through chairs around the kitchen. We let him get it out and once he calmed down we were able to intervene. My daughter went and cleaned up the mess her brother made. When he was in 3rd and 4th grade his teacher thought I complained a lot. One night I taped an outburst. His teacher listened to 3 minutes of it and was in shock. The outburst continued for 20 minutes  In 5th grade, I was 'on call'. I frequently had to go pick him up from school due to emotional outbursts. I was actually relieved because now they were seeing what I was living with.   

As I stated previously, things are good now, and the outburst aren't often and usually consist of yelling and crying. OASIS and Tony Attwood have excellent web sites with a lot of good links.