Not diagnosed, but treated

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As a 31 year old, I was treated in a residential treatment facility for "depression" when I was 10, in about 1985. (How many 10 year olds have clinical depression? Then again, how many 10 year olds have considered suicide?)

Many of the therapies used are many of the same ones suggested for Aspergers, I noticed. It looks like the ones that weren't used are probably either newer than what was availible then, or would only have been considered for kids diagnosed with autism at the time. I think the staff may have had to be fairly current on some of the issues in psychology, as I know there were many kids there with many issues. One particular boy's behavior sticks out in my mind so much that when I read about Angelman Syndrome, he immediately came to mind. It seems that with over 100 kids, with issues ranging from PTSD to depression to ADHD to "unusual" cases like his and mine that they had plenty of real-life cases to work with.

The only current issues I have with the Asperger's are some social skills and some self-care issues. I'm already in treatment for depression, something I've done off and on for the past 20-something years, and currently I just "need" meds. (I haven't been able to contact my providers yet about updating the diagnosis and adding an anti-psychotic, which could help with some of the issues I do still have.) I run into problems in long-term settings, such as friendships, dealing with some of the customers I do, and when I get stressed out.

I have a 5 year old who is likely gifted, but has been having some behavior problems in school. In looking into what might be causing his issues, someone suggested Asperger's. I don't think he has it, but I have little doubt that *I* do. I'd also picked up another book at the library, written for kids, about concentration. My husband and I both read it, and when he did, he commented that it didn't sound so much like Weeble (a nickname we've had for our son since he was days old), but he did think it sounded like *HIMSELF*! So with an ADD father and an Asperger's mother, the poor kid is doomed when it comes to learning social skills!

And after that classic Aspie rambling....

Tracy

Welcome to WrongPlanet!

Hello ayerik

Welcome to WP

I am sure that your child will not be behind in social skills, unless he has AS which you didn't think has. If he is NT then most likely will learn them "automatically" so that wont be a problem.

But if he does have AS then there is always social skills training that you could consider, behavior modification etc. He wont be "doomed".

You say that you think you have AS so there may be a chance that your child does.

But anyway...hope you enjoy posting here.

Nice to meet you, ayerik.

I talked to his teacher, specifically mentioning our issues. She said if he *does* have AS, it's very mild and he is very high functioning. In fact, one of my ongoing "battles" is getting myself in the shower, and since this summer, we've had him telling us he needs to take a bath every day -- Ernie (of Sesame Street) says so.

We've also got a Religious Education director at our church with a PPD son who's now 19, and she's wonderful with him, as well as working with kids with all kinds of ASD and other developmental issues. And there's another long-term member of the church that may also have AS, quietly recognized by many. Her daughter, about my age, is NT, so, if needed, she might be able to help. (I'd go into more detail as to why we think so, but I'll leave it as people know to be very careful what they say to her.)

Tracy

Welcome to WP!

Welcome to WP!

Tim

Welcome!