Finally a dignosis for my son!
I have known something was different from very early... so have teachers, pediatricians etc... I want to share with everyone that he finally got evaluated, but to what end? He is trying to stay mainstream with school since he has done it this long... he is 14. Going into high school with a 504 we hope will help, but I also need to be prepared for him needing more. His high school has great programs, but we would have to switch 504 to IEP if those programs are needed. I am so hoping for him and his self confidence that he can do this, mainstream, but I also know how the NT mainstream kids are as well as mainstream public school teachers can be difficult for him to interpret. I can even see him as different compared to his soccer teammates, but I watch with awe as he continues on this great team, his cute running style and all. Sometimes I awake early morning with flashes of a difficult future ahead for him, as I know how hard I had to work to compensate... In some ways he has it easier than I did as I didnt have a diagnosis... they didnt know what to call it. However, my intelligence is quite high which made it easy to compile "filing cabinets" of information in my head, that I could literally flip through with my mind's eye... my son is just under average. Social cues, I still dont get. Sarcasm... forget about it. I have my moments when I can slip one out, but if someone else is doing it, I have to ask "really?"
I am wanting to find some other parents to "connect" with, or get advice from as you may understand the feeling of relief mixed with uncertainty with such a diagnosis.
I also so want to tell the 6th grade science teacher... the guidance counselor, who adores my son, may have already as she probably remembers the dynamics there. His old soccer coach wasnt nice to him either... didnt like my son's emotional upsets during practices or games when he didnt understand another kids actions or words...
I guess I feel so validated for all that I have put into parenting him the way I had to, and advocate for him and explain social situations to him so he could be reassured that yes, they are still friends. I also feel sad that I was right, because it validates he does and will have challenges navigating the world... he has to find the right path for him, like everyone does.
Do other parents worry like this? Or, am I extra worried bc I am aspie and know how challenging it can be? Sorry for the long post.
14....that is a long time to wait! Yes, I think all parents worry. It can be hard, though, if you feel you are worrying alone. Here yes, many parents with children of all sorts, and we worry as any parent would....just, it is harder to share concerns and truly be understood when, for example, you want your son to make friends and the majority take that for granted, or even want their kids to spend less te with friends.
There are some great resources here, I hope you like it. Welcome!!
Your son is doing very well, he just needs extra support in social and executive function issues. So there is no reason to fear for his future. He is likely not Big Business material, but can do very well in small companies.
Many believe ASD is only about social challenges. Executive function challenges are also common. Make certain he gets help with any executive function issues.
Common EF challenges in ASD (and ADHD) can be seen below.
More info can be found here http://www.4mylearn.org/ExecutiveFunction.html
For each executive function, find the age level he is currently at and divide by his age. For example Emotional Control, say a child is 10 and is currently at 5, his EFQ would be 5/10 or 50% for that function. This indicates this child needs considerable explicit support to learn that skill. You build a profile of all his functions. Above 120% is strength and below 80% is a weakness. Use his strengths to compensate for his weaknesses.
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