It's official - my eldest son has Asperger's too.

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Hello,

We're back from Tony Attwood's clinic and my oldest son (aged 9) has also been diagnosed with Asperger's.

So my 8 year old and 7 year old sons have Asperger's. My 3 year old is definantly NT - he acts so different to what they did at the same age.

It's a huge relief to have the diagnosis so we can start getting him help!

The best thing is that he can start therapy with the pscyhologist next week.

The annoying thing is that the Learning Support Teacher identified my oldest had 'strong AS traits' when he was in grade 1 but decided it wasn't enought to make her insist on an assessment.

If she'd said something at that stage (3 years ago) we could have started intervention then and saved AussieBoy a lot of pain (he talked about killing himself at age 7).

I've got to go - the boys are taking photos and writing a story to go with it. It includes dragons and killer Zombies. I have to go and get dressed as a Zombie and pose!

Regards
Smelena

It's cool you're being so proactive about it. I wish the same thing had been done during my childhood although I'm not blaming my mom because there's no way she could have known (she was always proud that I was so quirky and different from other kids, for better or worse). I tried (as best I knew how) to kill myself when I was 7/8 as well, and was on the verge of doing it when I found out I had AS (the label made me feel much better to know that it wasn't my fault I was a crappy person). Finding resources and assistance at such a young age would have made all the difference in my life, so I'm always pleased to read about parents that are getting a head start on their kids' AS.

Thanks phenomenon. It's uncanny what you're saying. My son has been crying and crying and crying the last few weeks saying, "noone at school is like me" and, "I'm sorry that you got stuck with me for a child."

Reassurance has done nothing. But now that he knows he's got Asperger's he feels more comfortable with himself. In fact he hasn't cried since we got back from the appointment, whereas before he was crying numerous times per day.

The great thing is that the same therapist, Ivy Gomez, will be giving both my boys therapy.

woohoo! :uncorks the champaign but then remembers I don't drink:

well you like aspies so congradulations
I will never have children because I don't want to spread the curse
you got them at a young age-so you can help them
I was found at 12 and given relitivaly nothing but the stupid classes

cheers

That's awful, no kid should have to feel like that. That's great that he now has a diagnosis though. With knowing about his AS from an early age and having supportive parents I am sure he will do well and be very happy with his life!
I saw my little brother's toy dragons when I was taking Flo pictures for WP the other day and thought of UbbyUbbyUbby and AussieBoy.
I am glad he's been diagnosed now, most of my problems when I was younger came from not knowing I had AS. I'm much happier now so it's always good to see other kids being diagnosed earlier than I was.

Congratulations!

Thanks everyone.

I'm glad they've both been diagnosed now.

I can see how it would really mess with your self-esteem if you couldn't work out why everyone was different to you.

I'm attending a Tony Attwood 1 day course on June 26. The first of many courses I'll attend I'm sure.

We are so lucky to live in Brisbane and be able to go to his clinic. Ivy Gomez, the pscyhologist the boys see is brilliant!

Oh Kilroy, I'm sorry you feel that way. My goal is for the boys to be comfortable with themselves and be able to do whatever they want to do.

Smelena

Smelena ,I may be a diamond in the rough [more likely a piece of coal] but you are a polished gem. I'm happy that things are working out for your son.

Kilroy, I don't consider AS a curse, nor you an acursed individual. I believe your life has been difficult but those experiences have allowed you to help me understand my son much more than I might have done otherwise. I said it before, you are a person worth getting to know and I, for one, am glad you are here.

Thankyou Corsarz. The psychologist on Monday told me I am a great mum and that helped a lot. My confidence is a bit low due to years of judgemental comments about my parenting and me wondering why my boys were so different even though I did everything the parenting books said to do.

The psychologist said I need to harden the shell around my heart so I don't get upset by judgemental comments because it's going to happen over and over. She said there are cracks in my shell.

I found this really helpful and have been visualising harding my shell and arrows (stupid comments) bouncing right off.



Kilroy, I definantly am better off for having met you online. You are an extremely valuable WP community member. You have helped me with advice. You have helped UbbyUbbyUbby with your enthusiasm and comments about his drawings.

You have also helped AussieBoy with great posts on his threads.

Thankyou Kilroy. *hugs*

Smelena

That's great, now that you know what is going on with your son, you can help him out with the things he's going through. You sound like a mom that just wants the best for her children

I am glad you are getting answers and your son is feeling better about himself! Obviously you have done a very good job with the whole AS thing with your 7 year old, for your 8 year old to be almost relieved by the DX!

I am going to an ASD meeting tonight, sort of nervous about that, going to meet an online friend though, so that is good!