Asperger's Syndrome

[aprylreign]

OK, I am very excited right now! I know.Weird, right? Well let me explain...My son is going to be 7 on Dec 17th. He has always been a special, super sensitive child. He started ECFE around the age of 3 because he was not showing any signs of language skills. Out of the blue, he started by first repeating odd dialogue from movies and tv shows repetitively under his breath. I didn't think anything of it, and so I went forth with his Special Education. Well it has been a very long confusing road as my son's language skills slowly increased but he is very articulate having to pronounce all his words perfectly, but that was not the main issue so I thought. He also has a very "flat" slow kind of speech. Not a lot of inflection and if it is used it is completely out of context.I have been getting increasingly frustrated because he is now becoming very disruptive in school and at home to the point that he has now been put in a special school for one on one education because of his disruptive behavior (consistently being sent home). The schools were at a complete loss. They say he exhibits some behaviors of ADHD Bipolar, Autism, and Anxiety My mind has been just frazzled wondering what could possibly be going on with my little guy. Inappropriate gestures, swearing and easily frustrated are most common for him. He will crawl under a table and put himself in the fetal position. Anyways I din't know where to start to find out what was going on with him until my mother told me to look up Aspergers syndrome. I couldn't believe it! It listed almost everything I thought were just weird quirks of his personality. I do believe I have finally found the issue that lies at hand. I do believe my son has Aspergers syndrome, and if so I may now be able to work on getting my son to be able to live a happy porosperous life. Yes with a long road ahead of us , but if it will help with my little guys frustration I am all for it. Please let me know if I am in the wrong here, but I think I know where to clue his doc in. His doc has been dead set on putting my son on medicines that sedate him most of the day and I have always felt that this was the wrong route, but now I am ready to propose my idea. Encouragement would be great just make sure I am making the right decision, Thanks.

[brandihaaf]

My recommendation is to get a new pediatrician. There are so many therapy options to help your son, that medication should be the LAST option. He needs occupational therapy, social therapy, speech therapy, etc. That will help with his anxiety and difficulty functioning at school. You wouldn't believe what therapy can do for a child's self-esteem! Get a new doctor and start from scratch. Your instincts are correct and do NOT back down with educators or medical professionals. You're his parent; you know him best. Good luck!

[QrisJ]

Your son sounds very much like myself as a kid. I'm 52 and only found out about AS recently but the more I learn, the more it all makes sense. I think you're at least on the right track with this, if not spot on. Only a professional can say, of course, and luckily there are better resources available these days.
Also, I'm inclined to agree with brandihaaf about the meds, but that's just my personal opinion not advice. Keep in touch.

Hugz, Qris

[aprylreign]

Well. I finally got him into a psychiatrist after my son put himself in the fetal position under a table for almost an hour I picked him up and took him to the hospital for immediate psychiatric care. He got to go home with me with the promise of a triage appt. They got him in and told me right now they are looking at bipolar, ADHD, and autism. He has an autistic evaluation in june of this year but for now they took him off the stimulant. Put him on Prozac and clonidine, and we are to go from there. They are saying the autism is most prominent so they will not diagnose him until after he has the evaluation. He is doing a little better, but I am getting him behavioral therapy now, and he is seeing an occupational therapist as well. I hate waiting so long but at least he is now getting the help he needs. Thank You for your advice, and support and I will keep uall updated.