Any Information Is Appreciated

My adopted daughter although never having had the official dx has many signs and symptons .... best advice is ROUTINE!

One of my closest friends just discovered her three and a half year old has Asperger's. She was also overwhelmed but relieved to finally be moving in the direction of knowing how to handle her son. A psychologist friend of hers recommended this website to her, and she said it has a TON of information.
http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/index.html
Just to encourage you - my friend's son has barely started his testing processes, much less therapy, but I'm already seeing a marked difference in him simply because my friend is focusing on the importance of his routine! He and my middle daughter have NEVER been able to play together because of his struggles with social norms (she is exactly a year older than he is), but last week when we were together the two of them paired off and had a great time for nearly three hours! I was ecstatic! He is much calmer and much more able to interact with other children. All she has done has been to make sure they have a very regular family routine as much as possible. They have always been an "on-the-go" family, and they're trying to greatly reduce that. Not trying to become recluses by any means - simply trying to make their days more predictable, consolidate their outings to once or twice a week instead of going a bit every day, and making sure that they get home for bedtimes and such.
Hope that is at least somewhat helpful and encouraging!

Hey A.. I have a website that may help you with the info you are looking for. If you can't click on the website, just copy and paste into your search bar and then when the page comes up, type in Asperger's syndrome in the box under all the letters and hit search. There you will find all the info you need. Hope this helps! J. H.

www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp

Hi,

This may seem to be far fetched at first, but I am 30 years old, have a four year old son, and I have recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease. I have had ADD (without hyperactivity) my whole life, then Crohn's Disease at 15, and now Lyme. I have done extensive research, and believe all the problems to be related to metal toxicity and bacteria. Google and read: "A Look beyond antibiotics," by Dr. Klinghardt. In the meantime, call Project Enlightenment by Wake County for great support and suggestions. Free hotline: ###-###-####. Hope this helps,
L.

Hi A., I taught SPED for 10 years. (I am currently a SAHM.) I just wanted to let you know that Shelby County Schools has a wonderful program for families of children with diagnoses under the autism umbrella. The program is called Project Reach. Your child will be eligible whether he is in school yet or not. The teachers in this group are wonderful and so supportive of families and school personnel. Good luck!

My ten year old son was diagnosed about 2 years ago. It has been a tremendous relief to us to know what was going on with him and how to deal with it. Some resources that I have found helpful are the TEACCH Center (www.teacch.com), the Autism Society of NC (www.autismsociety-nc.org)a book called Parenting a Child with Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategies by Brenda Boyd, the memoir Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison, and the OASIS website (http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/)

A.,
The best advice I can give you is the same thing many others have said. I have a 9 year old who was diagnosed ADHD at 4 and cahnged to Bi-Polar at 8 and has just recently been suggested to have Asperger's also. As you said, it really puts their behavior and other things in a new light. Routine is how we make it through the day. Pick your battles. Since he is around school aged, learn how you can advocate for him with the school. We are very blessed to have found a school that completely supports him and works with us to provide the best learning environment possible. Last, but not least, don't be afraid to reach out or stand up. Trust you instincts when it comes to Drs. You are your son's best advocate. It is a long road, but so worth the travel in the end!!! There are also programs out there called Family Connections. They help you find a family that has already gone through what you are going through. I have found our "connection" to be the most comforting and reassuring person I could hope for in a time like this!

A.

I am a counselor in Murfreesboro Tennessee. We have several moms who have recently discovered this diagnosis for their child. One mom has a grown son and is now living in Memphis.
Connect with any support group and look up internet resources in your area. Connect with the local school system psychologist.

L. S

My old next-door neighbor is a specialist in Asperger's. She has moved far away, but you should know that there are psychologists out there--really good ones--who specialize in children with Asperger's. My friend had many clients (most in their teens when it's so important to blend in socially) and they ranged from slightly affected to very affected. I would ask your pediatrician for some recommendations because this kind of therapy can be so beneficial. Good luck!

There is a lot of information out there about Asperger's Syndrome. If your son is in school, I would ask his school's psychologist for direction in where to find the reliable information. As you probably already know, searching the internet can be mind boggling, and you never really know the reliability of the info. I think two reliable websites you might look over are http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer and http://www.autismspeaks.org/ .

I have taught several children with Asperger's and other kids on the autism spectrum. I taught sixth grade, so it's a little different, but many were very smart and successful. As mentioned previously, try to keep a strict routine, and find someone that can help you come up with techniques to calm down when things aren't going as they normally would. Good luck and God bless!

i had a very good friend in college who had a teenage daughter with Asperger's. she was very bright and so sweet. i know that they had her enrolled in a school here in Kentucky, that was really great for her. it is not for children with disabilities, it is actually more like a Montessori. she was able to work on her lessons at her own pace, and she was always ahead. she was able to do most of the work on her own, without the teachers interfering or questioning her techniques for getting the right answers, and that kept her in her own comfort zone. i would just recommend finding a school that can realize her strengths, and adapt to her weaknesses, instead of your daughter being forced to change.

I've heard of TEACCH, which is administered by UNC and located in Garner. Check out their website.

http://www.teacch.com/

if you live in wake county, there is the wake county autism society, they have a group for parents with children w/ aspbergers. Also, if your child has been diagnosed, the school system sould be placing him with special classes, possibly with other children with the same diagnosis. I know it's hard ( I have 3 kids two boys ages 6 & 4, the oldest is autistic, the 4 yr old has been diag. w/ aspergers as well, and a almost 3yr old girl) but as you said it is a releif to know that there is a reason why he is the way he is and there is hope and help. Even if he is doing well in school with learning and so forth occupational therapy helps tremendously!! If you have any more qusetions you can email me @ ____@____.com

My son is in the same boat. I suggest researching the TEACcH program in your area to get started. Here is the link to the website: http://www.teacch.com. Also try getting resources from the Austism Society of your state. Do plenty of research yourself on Asprger's for your own peace of mind!!!! Let me know if I can be of further assistance. God bless you both.

Hi I am a professor and I specialize in the very young child. Aspergers' is a diagnosis which I think ceratinly helps explain how such a bright child has such social issues. You can help him a great deal by keeping routines consistent, explaining to him what is about to happen in new situations, rehearsing with him responses he might need in some situations, and honoring his uniqueness. For instance if he tantrums when he hears violins, do not play the violin near him. Kids with Aspergers often find social situations like parties and gatherings almost painful- honor his likes and dislikes by minimizing these times. It will not help to force him to engage with others - he will find his own path to happiness. So do not force friends - it will just increase his discomfort.

As a college professor, I have right now two adults with Aspergers in my classes - intelligent people who have a bright future who hear a different drummer...
DR C

I am the mother of a 25 yr old son who was born 3 months premature. I have worked at preschool for the last 9 years. Since I have several friends who have son's with Asperger's syndrome, I have begun reading about it. The best book that I have read is Look Me in the Eyes by John Elder Robison (my life with Asperger's). You will laugh and cry, but you will really understand how your son thinks.

P. in Memphis

I only recently learned of this condition from a friend of mine whose son has it. She mentioned a psychologist who specialized in Asperers: Kari Lenox, PhD of Silber Solutions, PA. She also found after many frustrating years of behavior difficulties in school, that the Montessori environment has suited him extremely well, addressing social development issues while letting him learn at his own pace - which is rapid. Sorry I don't know more, but hope these resources are helpful. I'll forward this to my friend and maybe she'll have time to tell you more. Best of luck.

NAMI can tell you anything you may need to know. They are online and in most bigger cities.

A....I suspect my child (6) may have Aspergers. However, no professional has diagnosed or even suggested this yet. I work in the field of developmental disabilities and have done some reading up on it and found a ton of books at the library (some were better than others). Can you give me some traits/characteristics of your son? Thanks!