My son was just diagnosed with Aspergers today

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cool. now make shure he gets the right services in schools so he can do well in life after school

yup..it took me a year to get his IEP. just need to make changes to his accommodations or change schools if it comes down to it.

what's to say? damage is done.
sorry to be so bitter but when you're a kid getting threatened with foster care and the like, and meds that MADE me psychotic but they claimed that it was me who was psychotic, with the subsequent added meds, etc. told i'd never have a normal life, that i was a bad person and that's why i had no friends...

the dx later in life can feel a bit like a hollow victory.

that said, i'm getting treatment now. and my parents are footing the bill (which is more humiliating) because i'm unable to take care of myself. i always wondered if i might have done better if my mother hadn't made me feel like such a waste of space.

Congrads on his diagnosis. I was just diagnosed 2 years ago. All my life I felt like I was in my own world. Now it helps to know what it is and there are programs that can help a child or an adult cope and counteract with some of the difficulties that go along with the autistic spectrum.

thank you. that's very interesting because mu son has actually told me he feels like he is in his "own world". what type of programs have you found helpful? i take him to regular psychotherapy and his is on the waiting list for occupational therapy. he also will be starting a social skills group this month.

I think the social skills group is real important for your child. This will in the long run help your child to learn the social cues of interaction. That's one huge ability that Aspies struggle with. Mine started with substance abuse before I was ever diagnosed with AS. I was put inpatient where AS was brought up by my counselor to my family. I then went outpatient and then to a mental comrehensive program. It helped build my self esteem and gave me motivation. External motivation is important for those with Asperger's. It gives them an understanding of rules, expectations, and consequences in different social settings. This also helps that child take a little step out of his own world. There are many resources available online so it's hard to know, you just have to test the waters. In my program, there were some people that suggested I taking an acting class. Sounded strange to me but I had reluctantly joined one. The techniques of what I got out of that class was how to express myself verbally and non-verbally in certain social settings. Yes it was hard for me because I don't like to be judged or paraded in front of critical people, "the critics." However, I think the hard work paid off. I believe I have more of an understanding to people's clues when it comes to socializing. I hope this sort of helped. Also, don't let Asperger's define who he is, praise the positive characteristics he has. Always use positive reinforcements when he's doing something right.

Well, You're certainly NOT alone! I am almost twice your age and never had help. I wish I knew even in the 80s. My life would have been FAR better. To see all my quirks, and unusual qualities, etc... listed in the DSM or various other papers, WOW. I guess I should have paid more attention to various stereotypes about geniuses or geeks that ALSO fit. 8-(

Anyway, you seem gutsy with a fair dose of self confidence, so hopefully that carried you through. At 24, you certainly have time to improve a lot.

The best thing we've found for socialization for our ten year old is Gamer's Workshop. It's a store where people paint fantasy miniatures and battle them. They do free training courses for newcomers. The great thing is that the store is always crammed with Aspies and Aspie-type people, including the staff! It's a very casual way for him to interact without it feeling like work. The only problem is that Mom here got stuck doing the painting.

I'm happy for you -- now you can get him the help he needs. I wish I had been diagnosed that young. I'm almost 27, and still haven't officially been diagnosed. Growing up I felt like a freak and just never did fit in. I really wish people knew as much about AS then as they know now.

You're not a failure! I'm sure there are many talents that you have that you take for granted

It's good that you got it relativitely early. I got mine when I was 18 months because I was severely Autistic, and now I'm more high functioning because of all the therapy I've gotten through.
One thing that you have to keep in mind is that there's always hope. Doctors thought I would never be able to speak, and now I'm a straight A student in my high school!

thanks for all that info...yes, i always praise my son and focus on his strengths. he just learned to tie his shoes a month ago and that was a HUGE step! he also just got his yellow belt in karate.

that is truely inspirational!

I empathise (odd choice of words for an AS kid, I know) with you. My 16 year old was just diagnosed a year ago. It was a huge relief when we finally got the diagnosis that we considered the right one. We had been suspecting it for about 5 years. I'm almost 40 and finally got diagnosed. It was kind of a retrospective, if I only knew then kind of thing...like I wish I knew when I was in school that there was a reason for me to be so damn weird. I was just picked at and terrorized and told what a weirdo I was. Now, I go "Duh".

I would say that the best thing that you can do now, (yeah, for proper dx!) is stress that being weird isn't a bad thing and it takes weird people to make the world go round. Without weird people who challenged the traditional way of thinking, we would prolly have carts with square wheels or be using rocks for Blackberries. In my house, it's not a bad thing to be weird. It's a way of life. And everyone else needs to get over our weirdity. It's always best to use their strengths and get over the weaknesses. They aren't going to change and they are just going to fight with you about it anyway. You've already learned to pick your battles, I'm sure.

I'm thrilled for you! Good job and keep doing what you are doing. The proper dx is the number one step to getting the right services for him. Now get him on the autism waiver at the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities.

thank you livebird. luckily, he has a weirdo for a mama lol i've never been conventional, so his eccentric nature is something i love and appreciate.

My son was tested and identifed as having pdd-nos with AS traits. Now, psych comes into new school, evaluates briefly, and mentions exactly what your son WAS dx'd with--adhd, ocd and NLD! Oh, brother.

I refuse to dismiss autism. It's there and it's staying. It was difficult enough to identify, accept etc. It is subtle but oh so important as you know!

NLD fits the social but NOT the other--perseverating, stimming and special interests.

What is up with these professionals--one says this another says that! I don't get it. It would be like going back in time if we were to disregard the ASD based on one doctor's brief observations. UGH!

I know, for a fact, if I took him once again for an evaluation to the right person he would be diagnosed with Aspergers--some guru like T. Atwood out in CA. I'm not budging right now. If school wants to schedule another thorough evaluation with an autism specialist, fine. They'll have to pay the plane fare out to CA.

Your post caught my eye! Best to you and your boy.

equinn