Asperger Syndrome Support Group

Asperger syndrome - also referred to as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Aspergers or just AS - is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, normal to above normal intelligence, and standard language development.

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/ Asperger Syndrome Support Group

finding out

potty245
potty245
How did you or your child cope when found out about having Asperger's syndrome?
sadmom
sadmom
My son found out at age 12. that's when he was diagnosed. He is 17 now and still refuses to accept that he has Aspergers syndrome.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was glad to find out. I knew he had ADHD all his childhood, but didn't figure out about the AS until he had left home & was about to get married! It really helped everything about him fall into place & make sense, finally. It was a blessing!
deleted_user
deleted_user
My child is still too young to understand. When diagnosis was first confirmed (after a year of testing for my daughter) I was both glad the testing process was over and upset about the diagnosis. I cried alot at first. I still get upset about comments like "Oh, your daughter is three and not potty trained yet?" Or the ever-popular "Why is she acting like that?".

My husband, also aspie, says "who cares what other people think!" Not that I CARE, but comments about my child hurt my feelings...mainly because I hate explaining personal business to people that are acquaintances.
deleted_user
deleted_user
We haven't received official word (visit the neurologist on Tues.) but pediatrician thinks my son has asperger's and after reading up on it, I am certain the neurologist will confirm the condition. We have handled it pretty well. We have always loved our son's personality and if he didn't have asperger's we feel he might not be the little boy we love soooo much. We are just happy to understand him better now and things are just making sense now. Our son is only 9 and we don't know if or when to tell him. We don't even know how severe or mild it is. Suggestions on pros and cons of explaining it to a 9 year old?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sadmom...I'm sorry to hear your son is having trouble coming to grips with it. I'm new to this, but am in my 10th year of teaching (so lots of experience with kids). Does he understand that this doesn't mean he is incapable of acheiving his hearts desires? Is he happy or depressed? I say if he is happy, let him be blissful even if that means not believing he is an aspie. On the otherhand, if he is depressed, I don't know what to say except that knowledge is the best medicine. Good luck to you and your son.