Asperger's syndrome?

[mskris]

Ds has been seeing a counselor for the past few months because he had some anger issues. The last visit (last Wed.) she suggested he be evaluated for Asperger's syndrome. Now, I looked up AS and I don't think DS fits it at ALL! He didn't make much eye-contact with the counselor, but that was because she let him draw, and he was hyperfocusing on that (he draws really well). SHe doesn't want to see him again until he's assessed. Now, she has seen him for a total of 2 hrs, whereas he's seen a peds neurologist for 4 yrs. The neurologist never said anything about AS.

Am I crazy or in denial? He has friends, playdates, gets invited to parties, etc. His grades are basically average except in math and science, where he excels. He doesn't take things apart, doesn't obsess on objects, etc. What makes her think he's AS?

Kris

[mothercat]

I have a friend with a child who is aspergers ....he is pretty much normal in most ways...straight A's , goes to parties., socializes, and is like alot of other kids in many ways...but he also has anger issues ...he has hit my son in the back of the head with a wiffle bat (hard) , he can be mean, argues constantly with adults, lites fires, and does cute things like stuff your drier vent from the outside, picks his nose and wipes it on your couch (daily not just once), and is constantly licking his lips and picking at them.. I used to babysit him but Bobo drew a line there. ( the couch had to go too)I have always wandered about his diagnosis .

If you have any questions get a second opinion..alot of kids dont make eye contact when doing something they like. It might be a matter of it being just one persons opinion and maybe she jumped to conclusions ..I would get another independant opinion before I worried.

[catseye]

When the school brought up asperbergers I did a TON of research on it... I have many links saved if you want them also... The school after whatever tests, decided sd is in the autistic spectrum, but not quite as high as asperbergers...

My sd's friend is asperbergers, and the kid is just amazing in intelligence... She speaks spanish even!! However she is "off" (sorry I cant explain it well) socially... The girls are great friends, but very different...

I am all for second opinions, in fact april 13 we start trying for an independent (seperate from the school) evaluation of my sd...

As for denial, dh and I have been in a denial of sorts, simply because we didnt know there was anything different about my sd until she started school... We just didnt have hands on experience with kids her age to compare sd to...

Not really alot of help for you, just our experience thus far... Good luck

cat

[Kaiti]

Kris, the boy I have been with for the past few years, with the before and afterschool program, has been looked at for aspergers

PLEASE don't look at all of the negative's for everything. He is the most devoted friend that anyone could ask. His deal is being fair, which from what I have read abotu Aspergers is that things get dealt fairly.

He doesn't think of the teachers at SACC before he delves into his judgement, BUT he has gotten better, to the point that he understand bullying and will actually use tacticts to defend his friends.

Please dont' close down a side that might be helpful.

Anyhthing that might help you understand where your child is coming from helps. But don't just look at the negatives, look at the positives and build on them.

This boy is also Mikey's Best friend/Worst Enimy---he thinks everything through and says how he feels and feels as he says. Nothing wrong with that at all in my opinion, just a matter of trying to get them to understand justice doesn't always mean an eye for an eye

Let me know

Kaiti

[Linda]

Kris...I agree with Kaiti...there are a lot of positives going on here.

We had a 5th grade boy that wouldn't make much eye contact...got angry really easy...a lot of friends. He also was constantly talking...Is this the case with your ds too? This boy was really funny too..always making the kids laugh and he is very intelligent.

I think if you are in doubt I would get a second opinion. Who knows...maybe mom does know best

[mskris]

Taylor does exhibit some of those traits (not many) - I don't think he'd ever hit anyone with a bat (unless maybe his younger sister, whom he despises)...nothing like what Mothercat described. He does get angry, but it usually means he's having trouble handling something on his own and needs some assistance (whether it be overloaded homework, bullying, whatever). From what I've read, most AS kids have a lot of trouble socially. DS has done great socially ever since being medicated for ADHD. I'm not saying it's all negative - most AS people are highly intelligent, but they have a lot of trouble on the job and with relationships in general with others. They sometimes become computer "geeks" because they prefer machines to people. I've done some research too, and I just don't see it.

I'm currently looking for a new peds neurologist. I found one but the soonest he can see DS is mid July! So I'm now on the lookout for a developmental pediatrician (I have a call in to one of them locally)... by no means am I accepting this from a psych who saw DS a total of 2 hrs... I'd also like an MD's opinion. I guess my first thought about AS was - not something else! Actually, from what I've read, DD fits it more than DS! I'm just praying it isn't anything on top of what we already have to deal with, KWIM??

THanks for all your support. It helps a whole lot!!

Love,
Kris

[Linda]

Boy Kris...you are one devoted mom....Your gut feeling may be right...keep going until you get the answers that satisfy you

[Amsmom]

kris
i dont think you are in denial at all. i would definitely get another opinion. is this person a psychologist or psychiatrist? my ds's psychiatrist did not give the bipolar dx until after we had been seeing him for adhd/odd for 2 yrs. my first thought is how long has this woman been practicing? i dont even think it is ethical to give such a dx after only 2 hrs!!!!

how is your sweet baby girl? (tierney? sorry if i spell her name wrong )

[savvymom1]

My oldest dd, 14 yrs, has asperger's syndrome. It's hard to pin down sometimes, because no two kids have the exact same symptoms. At first I wasn't sure if the diagnosis was correct, but now I have no doubt.

She has become very social the last couple of years, which is unusual for an AS kid. She has areas of extreme interest that she can bore you to death talking about. She used to have a terrible time making eye contact, especially with adults. She used to talk to the air beside someone's head. That has improved as she has gotten older.

She interrupts, says random things that don't fit into the current conversation, is stubborn, defies authority, hates change of routine or schedule, hates substitute teachers and field trips. For a long time she preferred to play with younger children. I could go on and on.

If you think the diagnosis may not be right--contact the doctor and tell him your concerns and ask what things specifically make him think your child has asperger's. I have learned that there are different degrees of asperger's syndrome. My dd has a relatively mild case, compared to some, but the parts that make her quirky--boy, oh boy! I hope some of my ramblings have been helpful. Good luck!

[mskris]

Savvy Mom:

THanks, that helped a bit. Taylor does interrupt, but I usually chalk it up to kid enthusiasm. He also can be defiant and angry, but that sort of goes with ADHD, too. He doesn't mind changes, and he loves field trips. He doesn't obsess over subjects, but of course, he has his favorite things, but so do his friends (Teen titans, and other kids' shows, etc.).

The person who mentioned this is a psychologist, ie, not an MD. THat's why I'm looking for an MD's opinion right now. His pediatrician didn't see it, either, but he hasn't been evaluated for it. Still looking for a new neurologist or developmental ped, but they're few and far between .

Good news is we got the note from our old peds neurol so T can be dosed at 3:30 at school.

Kris

[savvymom1]

Sounds good. You're on the right track. Your child may not have asperger's, but it seems to be a little tricky to diagnose. Every case is different. You will know best--keep an open mind.

The psychologist we took dd to 2 years ago, had never had an Asperger patient. I thought dd had it, but he was not familiar enough to diagnose the disorder. Over a period of three months, he researched the disorder and went to special clinics on it and finally agreed, she might have it. We later went to a specialist who confirmed my suspicions quickly.

Keep us posted and good luck!

[Zanesmom]

My son is 8 and has been diagnosed with ADHD and aspergers. When they first suggested it, I completely disagreed. After reading and talking to my aunt who is a special ed teacher, I came to decide he does, though he is on the low end of the spectrum. One thing that took me a while to grasp is the enormous differences along the spectrum. Two kids can have aspergers and be very different. My son doesn't exhibit most characteristics but does have meltdowns and sensory issues. The way my aunt explained it is that he is wired differently. When most kids get stressed or upset or over-stimulated, they are wired to reason. Zane is wired to emotion and that explains a lot for me. I can understand better where he is at when he's so emotional that he can't hear reason; in fact, trying to talk to him increases the "noise" and makes it harder for him to calm down.

My point is, I guess, that there may be a piece to your son's behavior that might be explained by aspergers and it might help understand how to help him.

That being said, I agree to go with your gut on the diagnosis. Get a second (or third) opinion if you need it.

Good Luck,

Lisa

[mskris]

Thanks for everyone's replies. T doesn't have sensory issues, that I've noticed. He doesn't seem AS to me. However, I FINALLY got an appt with a developmental pediatrician (June was the earliest). She will start from scratch with diagnoses/evaluations. When I picked up the test forms, I noticed they're from Mel Levine. That impressed me right away. I think I will like this woman.

I'll keep you posted.

kris

[loveforeric]

mskris;

I understand where you are coming from. With my Eric I knew he had adhd and sensory issues.

Then we took him to the Psych Doc. She dx'd him with Autism-w/Asperger features. He is considered high functioning yet has some issues associated with Aspergers. Like the extreme interests, interrupting, and anger problems, and has great difficulty understanding the social world. He really wants to have friends but finds he is less frustrated when he uses a computer.

Oops! sorry for the ramble. I hope the Dev. Ped. Doc. can give you some concrete answers.

Have a peaceful day,
Christina

[mskris]

Thanks, Christina. I am a bit less defiant about the possibility of AS now...after taking some time to think about it. However, none of the people who know him and also know about AS think he has it. He is really quite social and has a lot of friends. He's had many of the same friends for years, but also seems to make a few new ones each year. He is asked on play dates, and sleep overs, etc. I just don't see it. But we shall soon find out. I just filled out all the forms for his dev. peds visit 6/6. I'll keep you all posted.

Kris