New to forum, son with possible AS

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Hi everyone and thanks for reading what I suspect is a common type of post here.

I have suspected since my 8 year old son was very young that he may have AS, but since he has entered school, and has had significant issues with learning to read (he's in grade 2 but at a kindergarden level) I dismissed it because I had always read that AS kids were usually good at school and did not have learning issues, but generally social ones only.

This year he has had an IEP in place, and just yesterday his enrichment teacher told me that the school will be paying for a psych assessment for him (only 2 students per school are covered by the school board per year). I think it is awesome that he will be getting that assessment, but the very fact that he's getting it really drives home the reality of how much difficulty he is having.
He is a good kid, not disruptive to the classroom in general, but has had a couple temper tantrums in class, this year less so then last year.

He has displayed most of the typical stuff- OCD like behaviors and patterning, very sensory sensitive to sounds and touch, cannot deal well with change, temper tantrums for seemingly so reason, anxiety, very chatty about very specific subjects (if you ever want to know about Godzilla he's the one to go to lol), socially shy and uncomfortable in a new setting especially.
But he also is having lots of learning issues in school, and talked late.

On the other hand though, physically he would be considered average or advanced for his age, walked at 10 months, rode a bike at 6 I think it was (2 wheeler) I have always attributed that partially to his twin sister though who has always been extremely physically advanced for her age, I think she just encouraged, pulled him along lol.

Socially, he does have a best friend, and plays with other children on the street, generally it goes well, but if things don't go the way he wants, instead of trying to resolve the situation he will just leave without a word usually. He does have 3 siblings though, so social interaction has been forced on him since birth.

He is a very sweet kind boy, very moral, and very much a rule follower, keeps his room so clean, and always puts his belongings in the same spot (screams bloody murder though if someone has moved it).

So I'd like to hear opinions from mom's does this sound like AS? Or am I overreacting? I can give more specific examples if need be

Thank you

Sounds very like my son (Godzilla is an awesome special interest!) except mine is delayed a bit when it comes to physical stuff (no siblings, tho)

My son is like this, if you sub Batman or this year's animal fascination (right now red pandas and sugar gliders) for Godzilla.



This could be an indicator of a pragmatic speech impairment - check that the school's assessment includes this. It's not unusual for a kid with AS, but is also a diagnosis in itself, and can cause a lot of the tantruming, etc.



This sounds like the rigid thinking that is not uncommon with AS kids.

Of course, I'm not a professional, and it's difficult to tell from a short description - but I'd say some of the things you mention are worth looking into.

I will like to quickly note that if he is AS, most likely what you described as temper tantrums in class were not temper tantrums, but meltdowns. Different cause, different protocol.

In general, I like to say that the label is only as good as what it gets you. Often, the main result is the ability to understand your child better. If you read these boards, try out some of the suggestions, and find that life in your home or at school gets better, then it doesn't matter if the child is actually AS or not ... it only matters that you've found answers that suit his unique needs better.

So ... read around. Try out some of the ideas. Read Trackers book (referenced in the recommended reading section). Take what makes sense, ignore what doesn't.

Many people who don't actually have AS still have a few AS genes in them. You never know

And, yes, he sounds familiar But no one can diagnose on a message board. Obviously.

Thanks so much to both of you for your replies.

Yes, the reason I want a label for whatever his issue is, is so that it will be easier for me to help him, understand him and find strategies that work for him.
I think that even if he doesn't get an official diagnosis though, he has so many of the characteristics that it would be silly to not look into what works for AS kids and try it on him.
Especially for the tantrums/meltdowns, I'm so used to them happening that I wouldn't notice how many times it would happen, but when I paid attention this evening...it's a lot.
He has SUCH a hard time accepting something that doesn't follow the plan he has made in his head, he is completely inflexible.

While I do not have AS, I can definitely relate to some of the characteristics in myself, and he reminds me of me more then any of my kids (but I read easily and loved it, numbers were my issue)

Thank you again, off to read and complete my armchair diagnosis