Heya.

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I joined WP not because I have Asperger's, but because my son may. In fact, after reading around here, I'm pretty dang sure he falls somewhere on the spectrum. He is 6 years old and we are taking him to the specialist on Wednesday, so hopefully we'll know a little more then.

We are seeking a diagnosis because his teachers for the past 2 years have discussed this with us at every conference, and the past few weeks, his behavior is getting more... intense. We also need ideas on how to help him - we are often at a loss.

Some of his behaviors are:

- Flapping, wringing, jumping, and rocking.
- Laughing at the most inappropriate times. This is his most obvious socially awkward trait. He also says stuff that other people don't want to hear about and it makes everyone VERY uncomfortable.
- Total inflexibility as far as routine. He has to know everything we are doing and when, before-hand.
- Fixation on a certain thing or two. And I REALLY MEAN fixation. Namely Star Wars and Sonic the Hedgehog.
- He talks VERY loud, with a very gravelly voice, in a strange pitch that I can't even imitate. Also, he takes many breaths and pauses a lot in the middle of sentences. When he reads out loud, he'll often repeat the end syllable/sound in a word. This part is really only prominent when he reads.
- He occasionally doesn't make eye contact without being told, "Look at me."
- He fully believes he is going to marry his 4 year old sister when they grow up. He does not understand boundaries.
- He takes things VERY literally. He is very serious most of the time, until he works himself into a frenzy over something very silly, like saying nonsensical words and phrases.
- He sings and talks to himself all day, and every night when he is trying to go to sleep, and every morning when he wakes up - at 6:30a. The rest of the house wakes around 8a. His sleep has always been a little difficult. He used to wake up screaming at least once a night, every night, until he was 4-ish.
- Either too sensitive or not sensitive enough. If he gets water on his shirt, he will meltdown until we change it. Waiting for it to dry is not an option (we've worked on this quite a bit - he's getting better). Sand is a no-go, so is anything sticky, from honey to actual stickers. Every square inch of his body is ticklish. Bright lights and sounds that are reasonable to us seem to be entirely overwhelming and annoying to him. Then, on the opposite end of this, he rarely feels pain. He has never really cried when he has fallen. He runs into walls at full speed then laughs. He doesn't cry for immunizations. He is also not sensitive to temperatures.
- He has the strangest eating habits. He hates Macaroni and Cheese (What kid hates Mac and Cheese?) but will eat mushrooms, cocktail shrimp, peppers, and other things that kids normally don't like. If we ask him to try something, and he does, and the look, texture, or taste does not agree with him, he will retch and sometimes vomit.
- He causes disruptions in school and gets picked on sometimes.
- He chose to play alone until just recently - the past 6 or so months.
- He is clumsy. He also has a hard time with buttons and zippers. I don't know if it is poor fine motor skills, or if it is a lack of finger strength.
- He walks very slowly, and his feet sort of just clomp along. He had therapy for walking on his toes and no longer does that.
- It takes him a very long time to learn things. For this reason, I have been reluctant to teach him to tie his shoes. But he is very smart and (unintentionally) witty at the same time. He reads everything, writes everything, he knows many "useless" facts. He's academically able when he just takes it easy.

What do you guys think of this? Does this look like the picture of Asperger's?

I also had another question or comment. I have Bipolar Disorder and I was wondering if it was true that there can be a genetic connection?

Thank you for reading.

Last edited by ivetastedflight on 25 Mar 2008, 2:45 pm, edited 4 times in total.

I trust the "everyone" doesn't include you.
I say that partly in jest, but I do mean it.

Anyway, it all sounds pretty classic. See how you get on with the diagnosis idea. He sounds different, like we all are here, and a great kid to know.

I also know someone with bipolar. Two out of her three boys have Asperger's. I'm pretty certain she doesn't think there is any connection at all.

Oh, and welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome ivetastedflight!

Thank you for the welcome.

No, the "everyone" does not include me or our immediate family. I fully accept him and his ways and love him (and his ways) unconditionally. I love waking up to the sound of his singing. I love watching him "stim" - I like to know that he's feeling good or extra excited. I appreciate that he laughs more than he cries, and that he is happy and not violent. It's really fun to get "too silly" with him, he enjoys it so much. Saying one silly word can draw out a good 30 minutes of laughter. I love his voice; it sounds like someone from Charlie Brown. It's interesting to watch him try new foods - you just never know what he's going to think of what. Some people just don't get him at all. I wish I could explain this underestimated, genius child It's like, "How can someone not appreciate this?!" It's hard for me not to take it personally sometimes. I think of his quirks, and most of them are highly amusing and endearing. I have some of the same quirks, and they're not nearly as cute from me. But some of them worry me, that's all, and I just want ideas on how to parent him as effectively as I can, and prepare him for life outside our front door.

I do hope that my OP didn't come across as if I think there is something wrong with him, or any other negative feeling, because that is anything but the case. We have an unconventional family dynamic, and we like it that way. And he IS an AWESOME kid to know. Thanks.

I suppose I should have clarified. When I said "everyone", I meant the kids at classes and school, and their parents. And my in-laws. Sometimes I think they are weirded out by him. I don't want to upset anyone, but he often talks about picking his nose, vomiting, going to the toilet, and other things that a lot of people don't talk about around people they don't know very well. Just not the right subjects for the right times. That's all.

I don't know where I saw the Bipolar theory - I'll try to find it again.

Thanks again for the welcome.



Thank you SilverProteus!

Nice to meet you, ivetastedflight.

Thanks, Jerry!

You folks are being kind... it's hard to become active in a new community. Especially one that seems pretty tightly knit.

Hi ivetastedflight welcome

It's great that there are parents like you who care, are supportive and really want to understand...

Welcome to the forum, ivetastedflight!

You remind me of my mother, she was really understanding and caring and she still is.

I desperately do want to understand. There's so much I want him to know. And thank you for the compliment.



That is so wonderful. You are very lucky/blessed to have someone so supportive in your life. I look at my memories and realize that that they are the key to my method of parenting in general. I did not have the support, but I will never let my kiddos fall through the cracks. All I can do is be there for them, even if it's a road that I am not personally traveling on.

And thank you for the compliment.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hello, neighbor to the south (I'm in Longview, WA - don't make fun of me )!

The specialist we're taking Kai to is down in Portland - we'll be there on Wednesday.

I'll say hi to the sky.

LOLX.

welcome .. i'm sort of new here too .. you sound like a fantastic parent!

Aw! Thanks! And welcome to you, too!

Welcome ivetastedflight,

That sounds like pretty much textbook aspie behaviour...

Just one thing...

Are you aware that aspie traits are genetic and that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Look around at parents, uncles etc... You'll find it somewhere.

Hi ivetastedflight

welcome to WP.

From what you described he definately seems to fit the "AS profile".



I know someone who has Bipolar Disorder and he has a son with classic Autism. I'm not sure if there is any connection between the Bipolar and ASD though.

Welcome to WP, ivetastedflight.!

I think it's fantastic you've taken such an initiative in figuring out your son's neurological circumstances. He definitely sounds like an Aspie, or for sure someone on the spectrum, and having informed and proactive parents form the start will definitely make his transitions through life that much easier and smoother.

Kudos to you! Your son is lucky to have such a great dad!