NEW HERE: Couple of quick questions...

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yes, i have an IEP, but for the wrong reasons. you see, since i am in gifted, i have one, but it kinda sorta helps, not enough... right now i have a Dx for ADHD, but what i have learned from it is a misdiag... i know and the other profesisonals know... but i am looking forward to see a doctor so i can get the PROPER diagnosis... but i am pretty sure it will be AS when i go to see the doc... my school couldnt possibly diagnose me, cause we arent one of the best schools regarding that (we are a pretty poor school, and even thought we have a center for children with special needs, i am not sure if i can get one at school (also i got the ADHD Dx last year by the Miami Behavioral... lemme just say that that psychiatrist wasnt specialized in autism-related disorders, mostly ADHD... cause its most popular.. )

That's the problem. I don't even know where to begin. How do you get an advocate? How do you get a diagnosis? Who can give us a diagnosis? I thought, a year ago, when I requested an evaluation from the school that they would guide me through the process. But now, after having learned they basically "filed away" my concerns and didn't take it any further, I don't trust that they know/care. Would love any guidance I can get from any of you...

Basically if you request, in writing, that your child be reviewed by the school, they must do so within a certain number of days. The exact number varies by state.

I strongly suggest you contact your Parent Training center
http://www.taalliance.org/centers/index.htm
and explain to them that you need help. The centers are federally funded and vary widely on how good they are. My advocate is free though our center. Other charge.

My son's papers are graded by someone who is familar with his handwriting. Even then we can request it be regraded. He is not graded off on spelling. He is never required to use cursive (other than to sign his name). The school has provided him with an "AlphaSmart" which is a simple word processor. He can ditate longer assingments. These are the IEP accomidations I can think of off the top of my head.

BeeBee

My oldest (1yrs old) was just diagnosed as Aspie a month ago, but his speech teacher suggested it last fall. Last summer his pediatrician diagnosed him as ADHD, something I and all of his teachers have always resisted becuase it didn't feel right. Aspie fits him perfectly! But he also has tremors and a tic disorder that were confusing things and making his handwriting awful! His is amazingly, almost frighteningly, intelligent, but has absolutely no social concept, no clue that kids laught at him.

I was told last week that my 8yr old is bi-polar with OCD and sensory integration problems, which completely freaked me out. After re-reading Aspie info though, I believe he has Apserger's and just presents slightly different from older son. My 5 yr old is exactly like my oldest was at 5 so I'm sure he will be dx'd in the next few years.

I have many classice signs of being an Aspie myself, as does 1 of my twin brothers, and 1 of my 5 sisters, my dad, his 2 bros, their dad, and several other (mostly male) family members.

Another thing to consider is that with both my older children ADHD was listed as a diagnosis in part as a symptom of Aspie and in part to get more help through the school. There is still such a limited knowledge among schools that sometimes it helps move things along if certain words are used on IEP's and such.

I would suggest a book called The Everything Paren't Guide to Children with Asperger's Syndrom by William Stillman (an Aspie himself). ($12 on Overstock.com) This book is very well written, humorous, easy to understand (no techno-babble) and has been a great help for me working with my boys as well as explaining to others (including family & teachers) what my children need to achieve the most. This book also mentions ways to help the kids understand themselves and be self-advocates, that it's not a problem it's a blessing.

Best of luck!

Try this link for a start
http://parentadvocates.org/
I only found mine by chance, but it is a lifesaver, they know what to ask for and have all the inside information.
Did you ask for testing in writing? If not they unfortunately will file away what you say. Does your child have an IEP? If not you can request an IEP meetin gin writing. Send it via certified mail to the school.
Please get in touch with an advocate
Good luck and blessings

Previously someone stated that ADHD has no social issues, while Asperger's does...

As someone with a hard and fast diagnoses of ADHD I'd like to correct that mistake. ADHD definitely DOES show social issues, but the cause is just different. I have as many social difficulties, but they just differ from my husband's problems (he is an Aspie). I am not scared of engaging in conversations or facing new situations, but I frequently handle them in a less than gracefull manner and I am considered boorish and overbearing because I fail to pick up social cues.

THe difference is far more subtle between the disorders, which is why even professionals misdiagnose aspies as ADHD.

For me, the big difference is Autistic meltdowns (I've had agression attacks in ADD, but nothing close to the type of meltdowns I've seen my husband go through - its a matter of degree) and the literal interpretation of language (I get the stuff between the lines, he doesn't). For the rest, we are like two drops of water: Absent minded, distractable, disorganised etc.

Just my 2 cents...

My husband was diagnosed ADHD a month before my son was diagnosed Aspie.
My son had been misdiagnosed ADHD 6 mo earlier and the meds only made my son have more breakdowns and even a hallucinating anxiety attack where he barracaded himself in his room and thought we were all giant bugs. As soon as that happened I took him off meds and started searching for a new dx.
My husband on the other hand has changed from night to day since being on ADHD meds, his boss even noticed how much more focused he was. And he's not so irritated by the odd behaviors of our 4 kids anymore. Our oldest has been dx'd Aspie, but the other 2 boys have again been misdx'd as other things. I'm fairly sure all three of the boys are Aspies though, and that I might be too. Our daughter is only 2 so it's still hard to tell.
The kicker for me though is that the ADHD meds either work or they don't, and that while my husband comes off as disorganized and tactless very often, he is mostly much more socially aware.