jtalia Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 I think my 11 yo son is exhibiting signs of Asperger's Syndrome. He has always been a unique child and very creative. When he was in 3rd grade, the teachers thought he might be ADHD. We noticed he did have some attention problems but not the hyperactivity. His Dr. put him on Metadate for the ADHD. It seemed to help a little in school, but he then became very hateful and moody. He started making comments the he wished he was dead. We stopped that medicine and he went back to his "old" self. No more comments of dying. The remainder of his grade school days were seemingly getting better. Still had some problems followind directions etc. He has a hard time making eye contact, gets very embarrassed at little things, obsesses over Bionicles (and I mean obsesss!! talks about constantly), puts his head down in class and will not follow directions, and seems to stare off in space. I have never had an 11 yo before, so I am not sure if some of this being hormonal. He is very moody and cries when he doesn't get his way. He was spoiled as a child because his dad wasn't in his life. My H adopted him when he was 5. He is a mixed child as well. I took him to a psychologist and she seemed to think that if he had Aspergers, it would be a very mild case. She suggested I take him to a learning disablities center to have him screened. It costs about $2000. I don't think my insurance covers most of it. I think that is my portion. Anyways, if anyone has a child with these symptoms....could you shed some light. Should I go ahead and take him to the center? Could he possibly just be stubborn? He is flunking Reading and English. He does really well in Science. I thought maybe a Sylvan Learning Center could help???? Thanks. JT
dropdeadlegs Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 My child has not been diagnosed as having AS, but I think he may be at some point. His developmental skills were behind the norm. At age 7 (nearly) he still makes sounds that are awkward and not normal for his age. He is highly intelligent based on his grades, but the noise making interrupts classroom time to the point where his behavior grades suffer. The sounds occur more during individual playtime, but they still take place. It is a constant topic at parent/teacher conferences. Last year I was encouraged to have him tested for ADHD, but considering he is able to play Playstation games for long periods without the benefit of reading, I have not had him tested. He's really smart, and reads well, but he's not "normal." I've had three kids prior to him and I know the difference.
Author jtalia Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 Thank you for you response. I have an 8 yo and he is about as normal as they come. Straight A's and all. My 11 yo doesn't make noises but he does hold his ears when there are loud noises. I agree that my child doesn't have ADHD either. He can sit for long periods of time on the computer looking at Bionicles and he plays the PS2 for long periods as well.
NotKelly Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Isn't Asperger's one of those increasingly one-size-fits-all diagnoses that are being... overdiagnosed? You might want to read up on it. It isn't a disease to be different. Thirty years ago, the behavior you describe would have been considered well within the range of normal. I shudder to think of the drugs my parents would have been pressured to put me on if I was a kid in this day and age. I think I turned out to be an OK, productive member of society, though.
whichwayisup Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 He needs special Ed, and now a days there are tons of great programs and teachers who specialize in helping children with certain disabilities, and dieases.... There was a poster here a while ago named Smoochieface, he has Asperger's. Not too sure if he lurks around or not... Anyway, talk to a child psychologist and get your son assessed so you know 100% what you're going to be dealing with. Another thing to consider is some one on one counselling for yourself, I'm sure all this isn't easy on you.
Touche Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Isn't Asperger's one of those increasingly one-size-fits-all diagnoses that are being... overdiagnosed? You might want to read up on it. It isn't a disease to be different. Thirty years ago, the behavior you describe would have been considered well within the range of normal. I shudder to think of the drugs my parents would have been pressured to put me on if I was a kid in this day and age. I think I turned out to be an OK, productive member of society, though. Thank you. I agree. My son is 11 also. My stupid son's 3rd grade teacher seemed to think he should be tested and I guess put on drugs just to make her job easier. Disgusting. He's high energy. Almost failed first grade because he was behind in reading. I went to see the principle because I didn't agree with the way he was being taught to read (whole word for any of you who are familiar.) I felt he would do better with the phonetic system of learning. The principle told me that they would try that with him...bottom line? He finished first grade reading above his grade level. Last year my son did terribly in school. I got a letter that he might fail. Couldn't pay attention, etc. etc. It was a rough year since we moved and pulled him out of his old school halfway through the school year. This year, we not only warned him that we expected better but we bribed him with something that he wants (I know, I know:rolleyes:) Bottom line: His report card that he just got a few days ago had nothing but A's and B's with one C in Math. Had I blindly listened to that 3rd grade teacher, I would have had him tested and probably ended up putting him on drugs. Sickening what the health "professionals" do to kids these days. And teachers have NO business telling a parent that their kid should be tested and may have a problem. They're in NO way qualified to even suggest such a thing. It's disgusting. My boy is very bright, big vocabulary, etc. But yeah, he's a typical boy - loud, funny and rambunctious and has a huge personality that will serve him well in the future. For now, simple discipline i.e. rewards/punishment help to keep him focused and on task. Why not try that?
marlena Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Hi! I am a grade school teacher in a school with Special Ed classes. I am in daily contact with children who are, let's say, "different" from the rest. I also have a nephew (now 31 years old) who is autistic. He started making comments the he wished he was dead. And this: He has a hard time making eye contact, gets very embarrassed at little things, obsesses over Bionicles (and I mean obsesss!! talks about constantly), puts his head down in class and will not follow directions, and seems to stare off in space. I have a forth grade student who fits this description perfectly. One day last year, at the end of last period, he hid under my desk and I didn't see him. I locked the door upon leaving and he couldn't get out. Finally, someone saw him shouting from the window and they notified the school authorities. When I questioned him the next day, he said he had been thinking of jumping out of the window. He said he wanted to die. He often talks about death, vampires, graves etc.... He is as smart as a whip but makes noises in class, has a short attention span and a vague, almost doped stare in his eyes as he looks out and beyond with a slight grin on his face. No, he is not hyper - active (I also have these kinds of students). I have not been able to glean much except that he has undertaken great responsiblities at home that are not fitting for a child his age. Especially where his siblings are concerned. . Unfortunately, I am not a specialist or psychologist. We are not in any way trained to deal with children who have special needs. There is little cooperation between the Special Ed teacher and the other teachers and the psychologists who come in for an assessment just hand in their report and leave. We are left to muddle through the best we can with the little psychology we studied at University. Anyways, if anyone has a child with these symptoms....could you shed some light. Should I go ahead and take him to the center? Could he possibly just be stubborn? He is flunking Reading and English. He does really well in Science. I thought maybe a Sylvan Learning Center could help???? Yes, my opinion is that it wouldn't hurt to take him to the center for assessment. Indeed, it may look like stubborness on the surface but there is I believe more involved than stubborness. However, I do not think drugs are necessary. Actually, I find my little precocious and oh so mature student very charming! I think it is something that can be dealt with unlike autism which is something else all together.
Ariadne Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Hey, Don't worry about it. I have a 17 year old son and the dumb psychologist in the school said that he may have Aspergers too, because he was acting weird. They love to say that, he just wasn't paying attention to the teachers because he was bored and distracted, and said odd things. Ariadne
Ariadne Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Yes, You're telling her she should just do nothing? Psychologists don't know where they are standing most of them. It's all bs. Ariadne
Author jtalia Posted November 5, 2007 Author Posted November 5, 2007 Thank you all for your advice. I had one teacher tell me that he will just get worse as he gets older and will have a hard time socially. He has his days. Some days he is happy and full of energy. Other days he is pissed at the world. Maybe hormones?? I agree with no medicine. He had been on it before and it made matters worse. I think he is just himself and he is unique.
allina Posted November 5, 2007 Posted November 5, 2007 I'm friends with a man who has a pretty severe case of aspergers. I in no way support the practice of dump diagnosing and drugging children but aspergers can be serious and hurt the development of a child. If your son exhibits clear signs that he is not developing at a normal and healthy way he may need some help. My friend with aspergers is very sensitive to loud sounds and physical discomfort. He also reacts a lot more to situations in life (argument w/ parent, rejection ect. ) he also has a very hard time with interpersonal relationships. Letting an illness go untreated can cause as much damage, if not more than over diagnosis.
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