Topic : 01/17 Extreme Disorders

I think the show on Extreme Disorders was unfortunate in it's portrayal of Aspergers.  Not all people with Aspergers have rage problems.  Since the show mostly focused on Alex's rage, I think they would have been better off not mentioning the Aspergers and just titling it Rage.  There are so many positives and negatives of Aspergers that weren't brought up.  Many people who saw the show weren't familiar with Aspergers and I'm afraid that people are now going to be thinking that our children are dangerous.  My son is 11 yrs old and has Aspergers.  I really don't need that stigma attached to him and people afraid of him! 

It would be nice to see a show totally dedicated to the topic of Aspergers, covering the negatives and positives, featuring a family really struggling and then someone who has really done well and can give us hope. 

I also think that when someone is experiencing rage, one of the worst things you should do is scream and yell at them.  It tends to make things worse. 

My soon to be 10 year old has Aspergers with ADHD.  He was diagnosed about 1 year ago at the ADHD Clinic here at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.  I actually brought him because I believed him to be just ADHD.  My 11 year old has ADD and I had actually brought the 2 of them to get tested.   

Aspergers is indeed a very large spectrum.  The symptom that truly stood out were the meltdowns.  The meltdowns were brought on by feeling overwhelmed with sensory feelings- specifically tactile.  Everything bothers him.  Clothing is a big issue.  He only likes a certain kinds of sports sock so that is what I get him. Many kinds of shirts bother him so I buy him the kind of shirts he likes in bulk.  People who see him must think I'm some kinds of miser since they always see him in the same shirt!  His psychiatrist described him as a boy with an exclamation point.  What puts him in the Aspergers profile is the fact that he has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and the sensory issues.  If you have insurance OCD along with some other diagnosis will qualify you under AB88 which allows you psychological counciling over the standard 30 visits per year.   

We are in LAUSD- Don't let people fool you the district will do anything to not give you services.  Tons of money pouring in but the schools never see it.  As I speak to the administrators in the system they treat me like I'm an idiot.  I have a degree from a prestigious university and feel I've researched enough to do a master's thesis on special education.  My solution was to homeschool through a public charter program in California.  I find them actually more caring than ANYONE I've talked to in Los Angeles Unified.  My boys have a special education tutor and they also have occupational therapy.  It is still very hard and I am finding it hard to cope sometimes.  We sought services at an institute that does neurobiofeedback.  They did the brain mapping and all of that.  After the first  20 visits there was great improvement in behavior  as time went on it has plateaued and I would say there has been about 10% improvement in behavior- that's also after $5000 for this service.  I am curious to hear how Alex does with his therapy with Brain Matters.  Have tried the food restrictions and all of that.  It is especially difficult to do with an ASP child.  Let me revise that- impossible.  You pick your battles one at a time.   

 Dear Dr. Phil,

I was offended by the name of this show.  AS in many peoples opinion is not an "extreme disorder".  This is a catchy title maybe thought up to draw in a large audience.  But, when speaking of people on the autism spectrum, I find this title very insulting.  These people need to be addressed in a respectful way. 

Asperger's Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder.  Just as snowflakes are not alike, no two children with AS are alike.  A show about AS should have addressed the diagnostic criteria and different positive interventions, modifications, etc to help these children  feel good about themselves.  These children suffer due to being misunderstood.  You could have shed some light on this issue instead of trying to "scan brains".  These people are not broken in need of fixing.  They are in need of respect, patience and kind understanding.  You would not  force a wheel chair bound person to walk, so why would you try and force a AS person to be "normal".

Alex was so defeated.  His parents have drummed into his head that he is broken.  How upsetting and sad.  What will become of Alex with parents that fail to understand AS and be kind and patient with Alex.  They screamed at him and used abusive language.  The spotlight should of been on them, and how they need help .  Not on Alex.

I hope, Dr. Phil, that you will do more investigative work into AS.  Again,  AS persons are not broken in need of fixing.  They  could use positive support to help them learn how to navigate through  this cruel hard world.

Sincerely,
Merrill