I am 29 and this sounds just like me as a child. I have not been diagnosed with anything other than OCD, bipolar and having anxiety attacks. I have read many books on autism and am 99.9% sure I have it or Asburgers. All I can say is try a therapist/psychologist and maybe they can point you in the right direction. If you see a psychiatrist they will likely just shove meds at you. This is why I am saying one of the other two since they are not able to prescribe meds.
Never give up. One of these diagnosis can take years to get, especially asbergers since they are usually much higher functioning than autistic kids.
A suggested wonderful and easy read is 10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew. I read this in 2 days. I am not a big reader, but this one really opened my eyes.
I am so happy that you recognize this in your child. I didn't have the type of parents that would be willing to say or think I may have some issues that need ironed out. Still to this day they are in denial with my life. One of the best things for your child is your support. I really can't thank you enough for seeing this in your child. I hope you get the answers you are looking for soon. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I have him set up for evaluation with a licensed Psychologist who specializes in finding any problems a child might have. I always knew he was different from the time he was 12 months he talked as if he was 3. He has amazing intelligence for a 4 year old (tested out of kindergarten) which is great but also hard because certain topics that are for older children he already is asking about, wanting to get answers and he knows if you don't tell him the whole truth. My husband is Aspergers so I am going to assume my son might be as well. I also have contacted my therapist and she agreed to see him as well.

That is awesome! Please don't be in a major hurry to get a diagnosis. I know it's hard not knowing, but if one of these is the diagnosis things can be done to help him move past certain behaviors. Like I've said, I am 29 with no "real" diagnosis, but I have self combusted yet. So make sure the diagnosis you get is not made out of haste. Please, make sure he never hears the words "he has a problem" or something along those lines from you or family if at all possible. If he is Asburgers/autistic try to say it in a positive manner. That he is gifted with "fill in the blank". So many Aspburgers kids and adults are especially gifted in one or more areas. Mine was English and I have a thing for numbers. I am also extremely great with the most minute details. I recognize so many things that most people look over without a second thought. Your son sounds very intelligent as I am sure he is. If you haven't already I would definitely read the book I mentioned. I have three God sons. Two of which are on the autism spectrum. They are much lower functioning, but are gifted in so many ways. Please keep us posted on how things go. Good luck!

I have not self combusted yet. Lol! Sorry about that typo.

I forgot to mention that I did go through common core classes in a "regular" class room. Not all kids are the same, but I had no problems keeping up until high school. Once those classes hit I was lost. I don't understand most jargon and so many classes especially my favorite "English" uses it constantly. I actually failed my 11th grade English class one semester and was lucky enough to be able to take it during one of my free classes my 12th grade year to make it up. I am often considered a smart ass. Until high school I didn't even realize that being a smart ass is being an annoying know it all. I thought it literally meant my ass was smart which made no sense to me. I'm sorry for the language, but there was not much other ways I could say it. If things get difficult for him later in life ease be there to try and help him find things that he's good at doing. Again, I never had that so as an adult I am struggling to find things that I enjoy doing because I was such a follower. I never really got interested in doing certain hobbies so I watched what others would do and do them because I felt that was the normal thing to do. Just make sure your son is heard, that he can choose things HE truly enjoys and that he can participate with others when YOU ARE around. If he doesn't want to participate encourage him that you will also participate in the activity if he does, but don't push on if he says no after you offer. Otherwise it could be extremely traumatizing. The thing I most regret about my childhood is not being social. I have not gained a huge vocabulary and if my mom or dad had offered to participate in an activity with me it may have made my anxiety go down about what others would think of my parent was there by my side. Hopefully some of this will help. Hopefully none of it will hurt.

It's such ashame your child is suffering from these types of things. In my opinion, some children and just naturally confident. Maybe if you try and make him face his fears, I know it sounds harsh but the only way he will learn to control his anxiousness is to beat it! Don't give up on trying to make your child improver his confidence because it will certainly help him in the long term. If you teach him to be not so anxious at his age now, he may find it easier to participate in lessons once he is older. I am a 14 year old and I struggle from major anxiety so I would never wish it upon anybody as it is horrible, especially being in secondary school where everyone is judgemental. I wish you very much luck with your child and I hope they grow up with confidence:)x

Those odd little phrases are called _ idiomatic expressions _ .

I knew an Augsbergers professor once, and I'd bet he would be slow in learning those kind of expressions.

They are the kind of thing which schooling isn't a lot of help learning. And vary from one dialect to another. So ppl with a Southern drawl here in the U.S. I think miss some of the idiomatic expressions which I in the Indianapolic area was picking up.

That is, picking up in the 8-11 age period which is the fastest vocabulary-growth time.

I am retirement age, and recently discovered myself to be "..sentitive ", "highly sensitive personality/HSP. Who are said to test a problem situation longer before acting. So although I do well on tests such as I.Q. , when talking to a clerk or salesperson I can stop hir and say, "I am a slow thinker."
/ Have more educ than they, received A's in college physics, so they're not gonna start talking down to me . "hehe" as we say.
"Am slow and I don't make ## mistakes without even noticing..like normal ppl do.

Thinking slow when someone is talking about gadgets and worldy things IMHO does not matter , not in regards happiness and being a good conversationalist with friends. Not in regards being a grounded person.
/ Thinking slow (as in my case) is not lacking in perceptiveness -- it's just getting things right the first time.

Am suggesting this** as a coping mechanism in a few situations here and there. . . . . / cheers . . . .. . C
** Footnote: Or just, "Slow down please."

Thank you Calebb. Idioms is the word I was looking for, but jargon is what I came up with. My brain doesn't work quite right sometimes. Being corrected is quite embarrassing, but I am learning to deal with it. I'm such a protectionist, but am realizing I can't and definitely won't always have the right thing to say all the time.

Manda4u75,

Wow...you have completely touch my heart with your words of hope and encouragement. Your ability to express what it feels like to have Aspergers and how to make life easier for others, is nothing short of spectacular. I have learned through my life that it seems our "so called" disabilities turn out to be our greatest abilities if we focus on the positive aspects.

Thank you for sharing your kind, compassionate and caring words.

My best to you!

Thank you AdventureGuide. I really do aim to please and help others. The absolute best experience I had in a work environment was being a dispatch operator for brink's. I loved that I was able to help people on a regular basis. However my anxiety got me released from that job.
I have tried to apply at the 911 center in my area since that is the closest thing to that job I can find, but my memory skills just won't allow me to get that job. I pass all of the tests with flying colors, but the memory test they have I barely even got a score. Out of a score from 0-100 I got a 30 and you have to have at least a 90 to pass. Bummer!!!

Nah, that is a difficult one. I was well past college before the < i > was part of my regular vocabulary.

I was (prev. post) saying a person who scores only a minor amt on the autism scale will always have some troubles with such as "around Robin Hood's barn" or "all of the tea in China" or "price of tea in China."

Maybe this condition means weakened intuition >> re. what's literal and what's not. . ??

Caleb, . . good health to you . :)

Manda4u75,
I, like you, have had disability that I had to learn about. Mine was severe anxiety and depression. I too never wanted to take medication and had quite a road to travel in order to find my way over anxiety/depression. I did find my way out and like you I will do whatever I can to help others that have issues ith anxiety do the same. Friend me and take a look at my journal page. I did a twelve week class, if you would, on working on and I understanding anxiety and depression. If there is anything I can do to help you in this area please just let me know.
My best to you

Myawesome,
You are a wonderful mother and your son is sooo lucky to have you as his mm! Keep exploring and problem solving. Your son will have a wonderful life !
My best to you!

First, there are answers so take a deep breath. You're not alone. I imagine you are stressed out and exhausted because I was certainly there with my child. My hair was falling out in clumps! I couldn't sleep and my anxiety was through the roof.

There were a few things that helped. And, by the way, I brought him to the doctor when he was 2 with my concerns and was told he was fine. I took him to the acupuncturist and she suggested we try Occupational Therapy.

1) Occupational Therapy. The tools they gave me helped my child IMMEASURABLY. He is on the spectrum and has sensory integration dysfunction with anxiety and a sleep disorder. But he's 18 years old now and is doing well in college with a job and a busy social life. So it can get better.

They did exercises with him once a week for a few months and had us use a very soft brush to rub his arms and legs. Sounds weird but it really helped. He loved it so much that he kept it by his bed and used it whenever he felt upset or uncomfortable. We also did joint compressions which are difficult to explain. http://sensoryandmore.com/2011/08/11/joint-compressions/

We let him move stuff around as pushing heavy things helped him. And a heavy blanket helped a lot. This site has a LOT of items and the Occupational Therapist can help determine what will help your child the most (not sure DS hyperlinks so you may need to copy and paste). https://www.sensorygoods.com/Weighted_Blankets_s/1827.htm?gclid=CNjM25nOiMQCFQenaQodIyoAwQ

These children will often bite themselves or chew on their cheeks but that slows when their sensory issues are addressed. Chewing helps them process. These may help: http://www.chewigemusa.com/pages/reviews

Other things that helped my son - we removed gluten from his diet as well as dairy, corn, sugar and processed foods. I know, that's huge. But once you get used to it, it's easy. He eats meats and a wide variety of veggies with some fruits. He can also have rice and quinoa but he's not really into those things. Ask your doctor or healer if this may help.

We also do not use Western medicine (medical doctors) for anything other than acute health problems like a broken bone. Our kids see acupuncturists, chiropractors and homeopathic doctors. They've been remarkably healthy their whole lives. In fact, when my son did have a critical case of the flu as a baby, it was an acupuncturist who saved him. The ER told me not to worry about it. Our acupuncturist saved his life.

I would also suggest, because you have anxiety and he has these issues, that you both get a cheek swab or blood test for the MTHFR gene mutation and a folate level check. If you have the mutation, it may be difficult for you to convert folic acid in food into usable folate. Folate, which is vitamin B6, is crucial to cell function. The test is cheap and the treatment incredibly simple and effective - take methalized folate and cut out folic acid.

Here's more information: http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2013/05/12/mthfr-gene-mutation-whats-the-big-deal-about-methylation/

I hope everything works out well for you and your son.

Reed31 I will check into the chewing website. As far as Occupational therapy, I guess we have been somewhat doing that as my son LOVES to lift heavy things and he just started loving to vacuum, I thought at such a young age it wasn't quite appropriate but since it seems to calm and focus him my husband and I allow it. He also has given us warnings as to when he is stressing out, he will tell me he needs "muscles" which means massaging from shoulders to feet. I have seen those brushes but don't have one. As far as foods my son is a VERY textured eater. He loves only fresh fruits and fresh crunchy veggies. He won't do pastas, sauces or anything "mushy" as he calls it. So his diet is very limited, not much gluten if any and he has been lactose free for 2 years now. I am constantly attempting to change up his diet to no avail. It's funny you mentioned sleep... my son has never slept through the night in his life. He also cannot fall asleep unless i am in the room with him. Most people say just let him freak out but we did for 2 solid months and it still didn't click! We then found out that he has separation anxiety disorder.

I also love lifting heavy things. I love working out and loved vacuuming as well, but my allergies ended up not allowing me to do it. I got incredibly ill in kindergarten after I decided to stay inside to help vacuum the class room instead of going out for recess. From then on I have to be careful when I do vacuum. I think it's crazy that we have so much in common.
Calebb I still to this day have no idea what any of those things mean. :-/