6yo Son just diagnosed with Asperger's, What next...

Post Reply New Topic

The diagnosis of Asperger's isn't THAT much of a shock to us. I kind of expected it, but I thought it was more a borderline case. The doctor (Who specializes in developmental disorders) said there was no borderline about it, he was definately Asperger's, but as with many, he doesn't exhibit all of the traits.

The School seems very supportive so far, but we really don't know what to ask them to do. At this point, we are waiting for a second visit with the doc to discuss treatment options, and more than likely get a prescription for something to help with his ADD/ADHD type symptoms that are related to/caused by AS.

I've ordered Tony Atwood's book, having heard good things about him, and I'm kind of reading what I can online.. Of course, being the internet, it's like trying to take a sip out of a firehose.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm new at this as a parent, any tips would be highly appreciated.

Hi and welcome!

My seven year old son has been going through the assessment process for the past few weeks and we will find out this Thursday what the outcome is.

There are loads of people here who will be able to give you great advice based on their own experiences, but it would be helpful to know what continent/country/state you are in.

I'm in Scotland, and we're already looking at additional support and resources under Additional Support for Learning - but that's specific to my country, although the same general principles seem to apply elsewhere, but vary in how they are accessed and resourced.

This is a good place to be for advice.

Sorry about that... We are in Concord, North Carolina, USA.

If your son's ADD/ADHD-type symptoms are actually Asperger-related behaviors, be very careful about attempts to medicate as if they were "typical" ADD/ADHD symptoms. If they aren't, they won't respond to medication the same way, and medication could exacerbate a difficult situation. It is important to try and figure out what is causing the behavior that you are concerned about. Often, behavior that is attributed to ADD/ADHD is actually symptomatic of sensory processing disorder in a child with Asperger's. If the underlying sensory issues are not addressed, the apparently ADD/ADHD behaviors are not going to subside.

As you've noted, the internet can be an overwhelming place to get information about anything. It would be a good idea to be clear about what kind of information you're seeking. There is a lot that is inaccurate, a lot that is excellent, and a lot that is tangential to your needs. You will probably want to find a group that can help you navigate the special education system, even if, at this point, you don't think you need it. You should know what the system is, and what your rights are, before you are in need and possibly over your head. Yahoo has many groups, local, statewide and national, on various issues. You may find one or more that appeal to you. Some will focus on general special education, some will focus on autism/asperger's ... look around and see what you find.

The O.A.S.I.S. site is a very good source of information for anyone who is first learning about Asperger's. O.A.S.I.S. For information about the special education laws in the United States, check out WrightsLaw. They have a ton of information, a good search engine, and a free e-newsletter to which you can subscribe.

I think generally, it's better to succeed doing you're good at, than fail doing what you're not.

Also, while there's no cure for AS itself, plenty of other things can be done to make life easier for your kid in the long run.

Health / Energy

1. check for common related problems such as motor skills, auditory processing, learning disabilities, adhd, bipolar, tourettes, etc - most of which are treatable... may want to check siblings too, relatives of aspies often have some of these even if your aspie kid doesn't

2. ADHD medication is tricky, some of it makes autism worse

3. stress and low energy can make it harder to compensate for autistic shortcomings, which leads to more stress and ultimately meltdowns

4. illness make the symptoms stand out more - vaccines too - if your kid seems more autistic for a day or two, he/she may be coming down with something

5. check for food allergies, gluten and lactose are common, which can cause low energy

6. trouble falling asleep, tired but not sleepy? could be low melatonin, check with your doctor to know if supplements are needed

Learning and Socializing

1. social sciences won't replace social skills, but it will help - don't assume he's too young to learn stuff like game theory, psychology, etc

2. judo can help with balance and not falling badly, self-defense, self-control, and confidence

3. it's easier to socialize at organized activities than at chaotic parties, so hobby groups suitable to aspies are a good thing - individual sports, martial arts, music, art, chess club, whatever

Parenting an Aspie

1. don't worry if your kid is late on some milestones, aspies are each on their own schedule, it may come later

2. meltdowns happen when an aspie is stressed and overwhelmed, so peace and quiet are the best way to stop a meltdown, a tight hug may help too - try to implement a "sanctuary" where your aspie can go calm down when overwhelmed, without anyone bothering them

3. the easiest way to curb an obsession is to replace it with another, especially a pre-existing one



i think that's long enough for now...