my daughter was just recently diagnosed and we are the beginning of treatments, and she just turned 4. Because she is above her age in many areas it was hard to find the problem since some seemed to offset the things she should have been doing yet wasn't. She does speak, but doesn't have a "conversation" with us. She can ask for things she wants, use please and thank you and excuse me properly, but you can't ask her a question and get an answer. She does 100 piece puzzles and has used a game boy sp and pixter since she was 2. But, we have the random screaming, sleepless nights, she doesn't allow you to comfort her when she gets hurt, tantrums seemingly out of nowhere, and certain types of stores we cannot go into. I think the little bit of this and that made it hard even for us to say that this was possible.

You may have to find another doctor. Many doctors who aren't up on all the latest research don't know how prevalent AS/HFA actually is. My daughters original diagnosis at age 4 was PDD/NOS, ADHD, & Dysgraphia. The lady that diagnosed her told us that she did NOT have ADHD, but she(the doc) was still a resident and her supervisor wouldn't let her put down the real diagnosis - Asperger's Syndrome. We later had a doc tell us, "oh honey, your daughter is the poster child for Asperger's Syndrome, there is no way this child had ADHD."

My advice, check the website www.aspergersyndrome.com and there are links on the side of the page for docs that specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorders. I was always told that the very fine line between AS and HFA(high-functioning Autism) was the age they began to talk. If they were/are under three and talking, they are AS, if they are 3 and just beginning to talk they are HFA. Most of the treatments/therapies are the same, as far as I know.
Good Luck!

My son just got diagnosed High functioning Autism. It took the specialists two hours and a lot of talking to figure it out. He seems like a normal kid, just mostly behavior... In Florida St Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach are the best in the country. Ask your pediatrician who to go to. Get a second opinion. My son has a great imagination, has eye contact, ect.... you would never know. He just has the behavior. It is good to treat young. They sometimes outgrow a lot of this if they are barely on the spectrum.

JennyR,
My son is the same. Just recently diagnosed and has the same ..speeks a lot, doesn't have much of a conversation, also can't get an answer when asked a question. We have random screaming and just now can he tell me his name. He is so smart, just only wants to have his way and talks to get needs met. I would like to talk more to you about what steps you are taking for treatment etc... since I am in the same boat.

My son is 5 and was dx at 3. all i can say is just keep fighting for him. Our dr at the time said wait one more year. Early invt. is the key. We changed dr and the first visit she dx him. keep fighting

I haven't gotten my son diagnosed yet, but we have an appointment next month. Are multiple diagnosis needed? I would think that they would be able to tell after first testing. I have just begun this journey. My son is well behind with certain aspects of his speech. He is great at naming things, but he just can't seem to request things (he mainly does this by grunting). He shows emotion (sometimes) but lacks socialization. I'm not really sure what goes into the diagnosis, but my first impression/feeling would be to seek another opinion. The paternal instinct is usually the correct one.

Autism and asperger's seem to be areas of wide variety (unlike asking a doctor to diagnose a broken leg). Imagination can be wonderful and most everything intackt for asperger's syndrome (although I have heard arguments that there is only autism and no asperger's). You may want to use caution since a parent can really direct the child's outcome (if you feel it is a big issue that is causing your son problems, definitely see a different specialist but if it feels like it can wait he may just be highly imaginative and not ready for the reality of ~language as taught by Sesame Street. I'd love to talk more to you about this (my mother and also sister in law found for reasons they accepted or rejected doctors diagnosis over the years and need to ask them more on this topic). You're this child's greatest advocate. Sincerely, ALex

you need to take your child to a pediatric neurologist they will help more in my opinion. My son has been showing signs since he was 18 mon old. no eye contact, sensitive to touch, does not like crowds likes to line his cars or other toys in a nice neat row. he started speaking at 10 months then at 12 months he stopped did not start again till he was about 17 or 18 months. U need to get a second opinion, ask anyone with an autistic child early treatment is imperative for the growth of learning, without that he/she may miss out in learning something they will need but didn't. chin up!!!!

Daniel always had a great imagination, but he also lacked eye contact and had speech deficits. Keep at that psychologist, Mom! And good luck!