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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littleboyisblue
littleboyisblue

My son is ten, he doesn't have an asd diagnosis. The regional center said although he has almost all the characteristics he's too animated in his gestures and facial expressions. But I know several therapists who think the regional center is nuts. Plus I was an aide so he has had lots of early intervention. Anyway they gave him five mental health diagnosis instead. But in my heart I believe this is the place to ask for the support and advise I need. I hope it's ok being unofficial and all. I'm particularly interested in talking to teens or young adults who can help me help my son. See he is socially very different from everyone and he can't quite put his finger on it but it causes him a great deal of pain. He has been trying to or wanting to end his life off and on since he was five. He's got meds therapy even a in a special class with a therapist. But as he gets older the hormones change those urges will probably become stronger. His knowledge of how to end a life becomes more advanced. He struggles with event sequence type conversation and how that relates to feelings so it's really hard for him to let the things that bother him out. I'm hoping some of you older people can help me help my son please. He's my whole world. 

MichelleTNT
MichelleTNT
Dear LittleBoyIsBlue

It is never easy to watch our children struggle. I love that you mentioned how in your heart you believe you are in the right place to ask for help. I'm not sure of your faith background, but I have trusted that God placed a feeling in my heart to look for intervention for my son on his journey as well. Any medical diagnosis can be daunting, but we always have hope in Christ. Have you considered speaking with your pastor or maybe a friend to pray with you for guidance. It certainly can't hurt. Praying for you!
Jersey_of_Oz
Jersey_of_Oz
The unfortunate thing is hat in the new DSM - DSM 5 - They took out the Aspergers diagnosis and instead use a umbrella definition of ASD - Autism spectrum diagnosis. But - there are different levels of Autism spectrum.... The best thing to do is arm yourself with knowledge.. Here are the diagnostic criteria - https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/sites/default/files/Vic/The%20DSM%205%20Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorder%20criteria.pdf
Here is a great group to get connected with that may be able to help you find a local advocate or additional ways to get your son what he needs - https://www.autismspeaks.org/
And here is a check list / survey that can help verify your thought process of if your son meets the criteria - http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html
hope that helps.
Heidiclark
Heidiclark
Is he animated when he's talking about something that is a special interest or all of the time? I ask this because when my son talks about video games it's like a presentation and he is on the stage. Do you have a doctor who you trust who can give you his/her opinion about a diagnosis for him that you agree with? My son gets depressed/suicidal sometimes but he's able to come out of it so we are not medicating him for it. He is in therapy though which might be helpful for your son as well. And yes look into working with the advocate listed in the previous post.
Heidiclark
Heidiclark
Oh sorry. I see he already is on meds and getting therapy.
littleboyisblue
littleboyisblue
Thank you for your responses my mom is a psychologist so I am very aware of diagnostic criteria and the changes to the Dsmv. I brought up the diagnostic issues simply to say that there are professional people who believe my son is on the spectrum but I don't have an official diagnosis and do you guys mind if I seek support here. I am not worried about advocating or continuing to seek a diagnosis I have several ideas on where to go from here. What I am looking for is support on how to get a child with known long term suicial indications and attempts who also has a very difficult time expressing his thoughts and feelings through his teenage years. I'm super frightened about what happens as hormones come on bored and as his knowledge of what actually ends a life matures. What happens when he gets more independence and doesn't want to share everything with his momma. How do I get him through puberty. When counseling and meds for five years now hasn't made him stop wanting to kill himself.
littleboyisblue
littleboyisblue
I am hopeful that maybe some college age people who know what it's like to have ASD might be able to give me some advise on how to help my son. How would you want your parents to help you through puberty?
Heidiclark
Heidiclark
My son ended us completely opening up to friend of ours whose kids have autism and Aspergers.
She was a life coach for parents with special needs kids so she knew how to talk to him better than we could. She also said that sometimes kids get to an age where it's easier to talk to someone who is not the parent. I don't know if your son's therapist specializes in autism/Aspergers or not but if not you might want to look in to finding someone who does.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
Asperger's has now been moved into Autism Spectrum Disorder with the realisation it's not a simple gradation but a set of spectrums. That can mean that some classic diagnostic symptoms can be entirely absent.

You mention that he was given another diagnosis - what was it? There are many things which either singly or in combination can look like ASD.
Community Leadercliffskat
cliffskat
If the diagnosis which you disagree with was given by the school district, then you have the right to challenge that and ask for re-testing. There are both state and federal laws which provide for doing that and for having his Individual Education Plan (IEP) changed. That is one avenue you could pursue.

If he is on meds and suicidal, there is a possibility that he needs a different medication. Some anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds increase suicidal ideation rather than lessen them. I would strongly recommend that you consider a med change for him, particularly if you believe the diagnoses are incorrect, then the meds will be as well.

As others have said, if the therapist is not trained in ASDs, then that part of his support is going to be less effective.

What has he been diagnosed with?

Love and Hugs....
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