what do you call it?

Post Reply New Topic

can I refer to my son as aspergers or should I say autism spectrum disorder? I definitely don't want to say pdd-nos (sounds too foreign and fake and it really is too broad). I know a couple kids with this dx that are very low functioning--one I'm sure is intellectually impaired. My son is mildly affected and has mostly AS traits. I do think the evaluator felt he wasn't impacted enough and so he didn't get the AS diagnosis. I've told people he has hfa or a bit of autism. It sounds so strange though. There are definitely preconceived notions about autism. Also, I feel people think you're lying or jumping on th ebandwagon--I feel strange saying it. Maybe I just don't believe it myself. My son is so much himself and has always been this way that I don't feel like he HAS anything but a idiosyncratic way of looking at life.

I'm going to be seeking a new residence, and I might feel a need to explain my son's situation as he attends a different school (not his neighborhood school). I'd rather avoid it, but it might come up. I've tried to rehearse it--strange I know. I just don't feel comfortable saying anything, really. If I say he has aspergers this doesn't seem real. If I say he has a bit of autism, this, too, doesn't seem real.

Anyone else experience this strange tongue tied phenomena? I'm going to look at a great place tomorrow and I might need to say SOMETHING. Should I just say he has special needs????? I don't like that either--it leaves the person wondering--what kind of NEEDS???

Does anyone else experience this tounge tied phenomena?



Yes. But I think the reason they do resembles the functioning of their ...what do you call it..
disability.

I think you should pursue groups or individuals who you can talk to about your situation. By this I mean, for instance, my counselor knows what my problem is, even when science and schools and policies and special eds are behind. Have this person who you can find as not only an informational advocate for you but a source of your own validation, have her/him look into formulating an education plan (what's it called????) specific to your son. Take this 'list of issues' to your schools counselor, teachers, principals, ect--to give them the heads up, even if you don't have the neon paper stating ASPERGERS HANDLE WITH CARE.

Or...
somethings similar to that.
Mostly, the more you support the emotional and living state of your child the better they will have the skills to survive the forced school structure and all it's tadoos.

What state are you in???

I suggest Asperger's. The trouble with saying "autistic disorder" is that it suggests the child has an illness and is somehow defective where autism actually means a difference in brain "wiring". It only becomes a disability because of the way our society is set up, and has become increasily fast paced and demanding that we become good at vocal communication.

it depends on who you're talking to....special educators should know and recognize the symptoms of PDD.......if you're talking about regular educators, well then aspergers would be my guess.............just curious, did you get my pm?

It took me awhile to actually be able to just say the words "My son has Aspergers" or "My son is on the autism spectrum" It was always terrifying and heartbreaking as the words came out of my mouth. Now it is just a basic fact and it is not so terrifying anymore. But it IS REAL- there is no hiding it - each time you say the words - whatever you choose to say it will get easier and less painful (at least that is my hope for you).

With people who "get it" I will say "Aspergers". I am always surprised though that the people who I am certain won't know what that is actually do. For other people who at least will know the word "autism" I say he's on the autism spectrum. Eventually I have to explain it all anyway so it's usually easier to say Aspergers.

It depends on who I am talking to and how much (if anything) they know about Asperger's Syndrome.

We've been in exactly your situation. After years of dealing with this, we've settled on Asperger's, even if that's not QUITE my son's diagnosis (he's also PDD-NOS), and we've chosen Asperger's as a definition because we've found that many people know about Asperger's.

Kris

I say Aspergers, only when I absolutely have to explain it. I follow that with a "mild form of autism" if they look really confused. I try not to "out" him, but sometimes it comes up.

I guess it's easier for me. I just say...

"My son and I are autistic. I have asperger's and he is too young for a meaningful diagnosis."

I prefer to meet the stigma head on, because there is nothing wrong with either me or my son. We do not have a disorder. We are different, and think differently, but diversity is the basis for the survival of any species. I have a fairly good grasp of how to talk to people in a convincing manner and usually end up at least exposing them to the idea that "Rain man" is B.S. and that autism is a valid state of being.

It happened today and of course the subject came up because he doesn't attend his neighborhood school (frustrating), so I had to explain and I just said he has a couple needs, and then she wanted more and so I said "a little bit of autism" and then her eyes seem to light up as if she was familiar. Oh, well. Meanwhile, he's lurking over in the corner, looking on and, honestly, it makes me somewhat angry that I have to say anything. What Iwant to say is our society can't accept a quirky thinker so he's got this label to mark him as something outside of regular. That's how I feel, really.

Was was he diagnosed as? From what I understand, Asperger's is a different diagnosis than PPD-NOS.

I am a snowy owl now---exciting! It came in such a timely manner. We have a foot of snow outside and more to come. I like snowy owl much better than a raven.

yes, he was pdd-nos. but, as mentioned, he carried many AS characteristics--high verbal, no delays, fixations, social deficits, BUT, I feel the evaluator believed 1) too many AS dx's 2) he was too appropriate in the manner in which he switched topics

But, it was mentioned that perhaps pdd-nos could evolve into an AS diagnosis as he gets older (he's eight).

I agree with previous posters that AS seems to be more familiar to people. PDD-NOS is too broad and encompasses very low functioning kids as well as mildly affected kids. The less explaining the better. This is why I go for "a little bit of autism" as a response. My son is definitely more NT and is definitely with it. He converses back and forth and, yes, he has some weirdities, but overall, aside from his trying to bite me when he gets excited, jumping up and down in front of the mirror, and fixating on something like a tacking stapler, he's fairly normal in my eyes.

If people ask what needs he has--what do I say? This was the original post.

I agree with the previous poster that supports autism and says it like it is. I feel this will will broaden understanding of autism and maybe the stigma will decrease a bit as the perception transforms.

i think it might be helpful to sit down and make a list of everything he excels at, and everything he has difficulty with. Sometimes just writing it down on a piece of paper helps me to sort things out....helps me to prioritize what i see as the main issue, and what i see as lesser issues