Aspergers diagnosis

[umpty]

I have always known there was something not quite right about my son. It was difficult to watch him try to interact with other kids and to see him get over excited and start to rock side to side on his toes while flapping his arms as in a daze. Still it is never easy to hear it from a Dr that your child does have it.

[foureyes]

My daughter has Asperger's and I understand what you are saying. But chin up, because it's one of the best diagnosis to have in the autism spectrum. Seriously!

Those with Asperger's are almost always quite intelligent and they can be taught with the appropriate therapies and go on to lead normal lives. My daughter now has two children of her own and is an excellent mother so don't let this get you down.

A good resource for you is GRASP - The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership as it has tons of information and links to more resources.

[Charlie]

How old is your son? If he is young enough then hopefully you will be able to get help for him, some intervention. A lot can be done if you start young enough for them.

[macky]

I know it is hard when you hear the official word from the Dr. but keep in mind that the power that this diagnosis gives you. I understand you may need a few days to just soak in but then you can really act in your son's best interest.

[umpty]

Thank you for the kind words of support and I know that you guys are right. I will defiantly check that site. I can use any information and help that I can get.

[September]

Your son is very lucky to have a parent who loves him and cares deeply about his long-term health and happiness. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be in your position. I wish you both the best!

[silviana]

I'd like to send my best wishes too and I hope all goes well. I just wish my step granddaughter would get someone to look at her 2 year old as he is the most unresponsive child I have ever seen, although such a handsome boy. He doesn't respond to noise, cuddles or anything really though he sometimes has a little secretive smile. I think that this could be autism.

[Arudo]

I hope it goes well for you.
BTW is it like in the movie My Name Is Khan? Like there's a certain fear to the color yellow?

[umpty]

I have never seen that movie but my son has a lot of rituals and strange behavior. He is not obsessive compulsive but he revolves around his rituals. For example food can not touch and has to be in a certain order on the plate. He takes things very literally as well, if you say two seconds it bloody well better be two seconds. If you give him a schedule he is obsessed with everything happening on that schedule at the exact time it is listed. When he gets outside of his rituals and routines he is a bit like a wild animal who has been threatened. He gets in a panic and can become very upset as if it is the end of the world. He doesn't understand the emotions in words or sarcasm. So I have to think up fifteen or twenty different ways to say things until I find something he can understand. If someone does say something sarcastic to him he takes it very literally and this usually ends up in something not so good happening.

He has a limited group of interests. If you give him a compass and a pair of binoculars and a book about birds he will know every bird in the book in no time and then google everything about the birds he sees and then want to tell you every single thing about those birds right down to the most minute details.

Right now he is learning everything in the world about snakes. He is 9 and you would be shocked at what this kid could tell you right down to how many bacteria they have in their mouth.

He doesn't understand or see or get social cues so he does not understand when someone is getting bored with him or when someone doesn't want to talk about snakes for 3 hours. With adults this can be fine as most adults will find a way to redirect him but with other children this usually ends up with troubles that lead to him having a very hard time making friends. Other children tend not to realize how hard he is trying to be a friend and then will not want to be his friend be cause he is weird and lacks the typical imaginative play that they have. Other kids might get board with something and move to something else but if it is outside of the few subjects or rituals then he has a nearly impossible time moving with them.

In the end there is a lot of anger and frustration in him and he can become very depressed. He prefers to be with adults and shy's away from other children. Now I hope we can get him the help he needs so we can teach him some of the things he is unable to do and to learn to cope with the frustration of seeing the world so differently than the masses.