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.
Hi all,
I have been lurking for a week or so....
I am a mom to 2 children. My son is almost 3 and my daughter is almost 2. My son has been diagnosed with a few different things, my take is AS even tho he is so young. He is SO smart yet so....disconnected unless directed. Or engaged but not for long. He self stims visually out of the corner of his eye when he is bored or tired or whenever!!!! So far he receives OT, speech, Spec Ed, pre-school and ABA. We just started RDI and the ABA will end. Last year I was a mess. I started a message board for parents and providers of children with special needs (my coping). I am better now somedays. He seems to have made SO much progress and RDI will help us I am SURE. But some days I look at him and feel so scared. I want him to never feel different (even tho I did and I think I am NT). My daughter is 16 months younger and she has passed him in some area's. I am grateful for her but it's also very hard to see. At this point we do not talk about him being diffrent around him or her. I am hoping that I can gain some insight as to how some of the AS members that have AS feel about not being told or having AS explained to them as children or even as adults. I don't want to give him a label that he MAY use as a crutch, I have seen this with a brother of mine with ADHD. To this day (16 ysrs old) he can't do this to that or behave because of ADHD. I refuse to have my son feel that way or use AS as an excuse....but that is me because of my bro...I just am intrigued to AS teens and adults as to how it feels to be told perhaps why you have felt a certain ways in life....so here I am and I hope to learn from this site!!!
I have been lurking for a week or so....
I am a mom to 2 children. My son is almost 3 and my daughter is almost 2. My son has been diagnosed with a few different things, my take is AS even tho he is so young. He is SO smart yet so....disconnected unless directed. Or engaged but not for long. He self stims visually out of the corner of his eye when he is bored or tired or whenever!!!! So far he receives OT, speech, Spec Ed, pre-school and ABA. We just started RDI and the ABA will end. Last year I was a mess. I started a message board for parents and providers of children with special needs (my coping). I am better now somedays. He seems to have made SO much progress and RDI will help us I am SURE. But some days I look at him and feel so scared. I want him to never feel different (even tho I did and I think I am NT). My daughter is 16 months younger and she has passed him in some area's. I am grateful for her but it's also very hard to see. At this point we do not talk about him being diffrent around him or her. I am hoping that I can gain some insight as to how some of the AS members that have AS feel about not being told or having AS explained to them as children or even as adults. I don't want to give him a label that he MAY use as a crutch, I have seen this with a brother of mine with ADHD. To this day (16 ysrs old) he can't do this to that or behave because of ADHD. I refuse to have my son feel that way or use AS as an excuse....but that is me because of my bro...I just am intrigued to AS teens and adults as to how it feels to be told perhaps why you have felt a certain ways in life....so here I am and I hope to learn from this site!!!
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
Having learned later in life that I have AS was somewhat liberating. Often I question how would life be different if I knew as a youngster and there were good programs for AS available then? I went through extensive therapy later in life and made considerable progress for me. Hopefully, life as teenager and young adult would have been much richer for me if I had therapy or programs earlier, but that is an unknown. I don't know how the label would effect me either, but I expect I would be determined to prove everyone's perceptions wrong, as that is in my chartacter. Nic4me, I think the answer to your question will become apparent over time as your son becomes older. The severity of his AS and the availbility of good programs may be factors. For example I know an excellent program in my area for kids with AS taught by a teacher with AS in which the students excell (AS is not an excuse). We can be a determined lot and the sky is the limit, that is unless you ask me something difficult, such as remember someone's name or tell you exactly how I feel. Cheers!
My son is 11 and he was dx earlier this year. When I broke it down for him, he was honestly the happiest little kid in the world. See, he already knew he was different, nobody had to say it (hint, hint). Soon as he went to school, it was apparent he was going to have some problems. And he was more frustrated knowing it and not knowing why than he was distressed by the dx. Matter of fact, his behavior improved when I was able to explain why things weren't going well for him. If your son has AS, he probably won't see it as a way to get out of the stuff you'd think he would. It's going to be hit or miss. He may excel in math and be verbally advanced but he'll fail English because of the long writing assignments or the assignments that call for more abstract thinking, which may be difficult for him. Do your research on ASD and the associated behavior disorders and you will be fine. Keep in mind that alot of how your son does will also have to do with his core personality. If he's a sweetie, then he will probably be sweet. Too sweet (as in nice) and he may become a target for the bullies. My son made it clear to all very early that there was nothing sweet about him when you mess with him. Bullies give him a wide berth :) My son is slowly maturing in the social area but it requires patience. He will always be a few years behind which is really hard because he is a twin and I try really hard not to compare them. He is where he is supposed to be and she is where she is supposed to be. He will only be able to use it if you allow it and it's really not that debilitating in and of itself. Part of it are the other behaviors that can come with it. Personally, I waited until my son was in 5th grade to ask for a professional opinion because I wanted to give him time to grow up a bit on his own and to be able to help manage his treatment effectively. It's easier to get them to cooperate if they are part of the solution. If yours is as smart as mine is, being honest with him as you go along is the way to go. If he thinks you will lie to him, you are going to have other problems. Aspies are rough. With them the first time is the only time. And they forget NOTHING. He will be 14 still reminding you that you lied about broccoli being good when he was 4. Good Luck, and welcome to the boards.