Messages By: kaylasmom

My 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 6, after 3 years of testing and doctor's.  You know people always think they have it rough until you here about some else.  Thankfully, my daughter does not have the rage that was talked about in today's story, even though her father was full of rage but not violent.  Mostly, our problems are social and comprehension.  

Three years ago, we went through a one year period of losing, my mother-in-law, my daughter's cat and hamster, my mother and my daughter's father.  I had no idea how to tell her about her father.  How would she understand, but she did and has done well.  Maybe because we were divorced.  But since then she has become very attached to me.  She thinks that her Dad died because she was not with him, so therefore she does not want to be without me at all.  We have worked on it and it is getting better but I got help from a child psychologist also.  

In Kayla's (my daughter) mind there are only 2 people in the world and that is her and I.  Socially it is very hard.  She does not have sleepovers.  Anytime a kid at school says something 'negative', she takes it very hard.  Middle school next year is something I really have a hard time thinking about.  Another 'problem' with her is that you cannot joke around with her or even call her a name like goofy or silly.  she comes unglued and really hates it.  I tell her these are good names or even when you joke with her, I tell her it's good, but she takes everything so seriously and that is hard for my family or anybody or friends outside of the family.  She is very, very, literal!!  

The really sad part is people who don't know her think she is spoiled or really troubled.  Some say "oh that's just the 10 year old".  If they only spent 24 hours with her they might see.   

I once read in a book that children with autism live in their own world and children with asperger's live in our world but they do it their own way.  Boy, is that true with Kayla.   

Kayla act's self-centered but she does think of other's.  She just does not know how to express things properly.  I don't have any parents to talk to who have children like her, so I am glad to find this topic here.  I have read the adults who have AS and it is comforting to know that they can lead normal lives as adults.  My goal has been all of her life to help her to be the best that she is capable of being!  And I will continue this as long as I need to. She is the joy of my life! 

If there are any parent's in Oklahoma with special kids like my daughter, let me know.  It's nice to know your're not the only one out there. I would love to see more topics like this on Dr. Phil.  Any information from anybody is well liked and helpfull.