wow sounds like u have had a very long road with no answers.
I feel for you/
There is no blood test that can be done to test for Autism.
It is behaviors, that they look at and go from there.
But from the sounds of it the doc you have now will hopefuly give you some answers and guide you.
Write everything down you can about your daughter.
Wishing you peace and support on your journey.

thank you. Ihave been writing things down, more since we have been going to the new the docter, i was just wondering what type of behaviors do these kids usaully have? is it everyday or certian thingsthat set them off? do they bahave different in public compared to how they act at home?

Hi there-
You have been through alot already and my heart goes out to you. One website that might be helpful as you try to educate yourself about autism is http://www.firstsigns.org/.....They have screening tools and evaluations that you can download and read for yourself...
Also, I would encourage you to visit
http://www.foggyrock.com/
It is a social site exclusively for families and professionals who love and/or work with children on the autism spectrum
(which includes Asperger's).....You will have access to parents and professionals there and might find some support.

thank you, I have been trying to find something that would help me see if this is what we are dealing with until she get's in and is tested, I worked with two autistic boys a while back, I would have never put her in that catergory, but I have learned that there are a lot of different levels and things to look for, again thank you.

you have obviously done a really good job. Iwould wait for an official diagnosis as every child is different. My friend has a son with autism and her son and my son are so different even though they have the same diagnosis .Take Care

http://dailystrength.org/discussions/Autism_Autism_Spectrum/messages/1170632

Here is a criteria that is used to diagnos. It helped me with my boy. It was posted last week on DS by one of our ASD friends,.
I hope you find the help and answers you need.

You write "we have dealt with behaviors that are aggressive and other things since she was 4" This to me sounds like the child was spanked or yelled at a very early age. It is being scientifically prove now that ANY spank even the smallest cause humiliation and aggressive behaviors specially if the child has an inclination to Autism.

I recommend that you look for a book by Alice Miller "The drama of the gifted child" She talks a lot about aggressive behavior on children and what to do to help them. Good luck

My daughter was not spanked or yelled at when she was young,we used time out when she started having behaviors, before she started having them, she was very quiet and and was well behaved, she did not talk a lot if any, she played well and did very well being potty trained and goingto bed and sleeping, and was just a good kid, we put the the not talking as being shy, she would talk at home but not a lot, so I do not think we can blame this on being spanked or yelled at, I thought this wa a web site that was going to be helpful, not assume someone abused their child because their child has issues with behaviors and other things, I was justtrying to find out more about the autismn and aspergers because that is what they are looking at, and will be testing for that as well as other things,thanks

That is good that your daughter was not yell or span even at school or at home then any problems with Autism or aspergers may get better with a good therapy. I wonder if aggressive behavior is the problem because my son has Autism but no aggressive behavior. Aggressiveness is learn not part of Autism. Taking about span or yell is not accusing anyone specially if you are sure that you did your best. Take what helps you and your child. Open mine and open eye will help your child and you.

Hello there,
My daughter is 6 and has just been diagnosed with Aspergers and to be honest it has been a massive relief because now we can respond to her behaviour knowing what may have triggered it and why. It makes life easier, and having a diagnosis also seems to extend your ability to cope. Good Luck.

jbugsmom, i have always been told that agressive behavior is a classic autism behavior. usually used by children with autism when they are confused, upset, or trying to make someone understand their needs.
this IS a site to come for advise, support, and most of all UNDERSTANDING from people like yourself dealing with autism in your family. for the most part, that is what you will get here. welcome and dont hesitate to post here anytime when you need too!

Almost every child whom has autism, has aggressive behaviors. I say this not only from a mother's prospective, but from a proffessional prospective. I worked with adults, children, adolesents, with autism, mental retardation, D/S , AND ON AND ON. This is their means of communication: I am sad, hurting, wanting something, not wanting something, want out of situation, etc. M y advice to you is, make an appointment with MHMRA for a DMR, which will also test for autism.By the way, I do spank my son, and his doctor totally approves of a swat on the bottom as a teaching tool of immediate consequences, dangers, etc. I say to each his own, what works for one child may not work for another! I will not judge you, I think we try everything that is reccommended by a doctor or therapist, we are desperate to find what works to dicipline them in a way that is going to work based on their needs.Sad thing she fell through the cracks and did not get early child intervention, that is the most crucial time to intervene. I wanted to know how she does in school, and why they have not had her tested, some schools just don't want to pay for the kid's to be in a special program, unless they become too disruptive in class. Keep me posted!

First up, wishing you love and support and understanding on this difficult journey... you're not alone on this road!

Agressive behaviour is very very common in Autistic kids, as is limited use of speech, but then it's also common in non-autistic kids, so do go with the full professional assessments. Mothers intuition should never be undervalued - if you don't agree with anything a doctor tells you, get another opinion.
And be ready to fight your school! That's the worst part and you will see thousands of posts on this site of problems with schools and autistic kids!