Asperger's Syndrome-Calling Dr. Art!!!

You might want to check out this site: [url]http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html[/url] ~ Sharon

It sure does sound like Asperger's, but I know very little about it.

Wow, sounds so much like my son. He has been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism/Aspergers. I have found a web-site that is very helpful. Just search high funcitoning autism or aspergers and you will get a wealth of information. You can even learn some things that may be helpful day to day and be able to start implementing them in your home now. I know we saw an immediate change in our child when we changed the way we parented him. I would in any case have him evaluated by a psychologist and especially a developmental pediatrician. The sooner you start treatment the better (regardless of what the childs diagnosis). Our son was first diagnosed with ADHD and suggested to be put on meds. I am glad we didn't and looked further. Now that we are doing Occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy and speech and language therapy, he is a totally different child!

No-Does not like certain sounds-such as foil paper on Pop-Tarts Yes-Afraid of the dark-often is scared that "someone is going to get me" Y-Does not like loud noises, very afraid Y-Holds urine, refuses to go to bathroom, still wearing pull-ups at night Y-Hard time saying "sorry", doesn't really seem remorseful N-Not very social, plays alone very well though Y-Talks very loud Y-Repeats self constantly when trying to tell you something Y-Not very affectionate Y-Will not go on if makes a "mistake" in his school work Y-Just doesn't seem like a very "happy" person Y-Does not communicate N-Behind in speech skills Wow, these are almost identical issues my ason had when we adopted him at age 7. He was diagnosed ADHD and medicated beyond belief but he still had most of these issues, the only thing the meds did was make him go to sleep very early. Fortunately we were able to help him get over a lot of these issues without the use of meds and he is doing great now.

Boy does this ever sound familiar. I went through the same thing with my son when he was 13 and noone knew what Asperger's was. He had been diagnosed ADHD which was difficult enough as a single parent. They did all kinds of genetic testing (and of course, my being adopted, I could tell them very little). It turned out that the ADHD came from his father's side. A couple other of his children have it. You have to be very very informed because alot teachers don't know about Asperger's. There is alot online and the link another poster gave you is a good one. I actually had to put my son in foster care because I was at the end of my rope. We had really good foster parents who were trained to deal with kids like Matt. To make a very long story short, he is now 21 and living with me. He works full-time at McDonald's and since I had to quit my job for health reasons was actually supporting me for awhile. He still has his problems socializing with people he doesn't know well. but once he does know you he is very loyal and loving. He is still not affectionate but I've long gotten over that. He can do some things very well and others well, still drive me crazy. We have our own routine. He is still very shy with girls . It will be a long time if I ever have grandchildren (if ever). He has trouble with relationships. But that's okay because I have plenty of honary grandchildren. He never finished school but often talks about going back. Get used to this, they are great procrastinators. He will talk your ear off with a subject he likes and say nothing about what you want to talk about. It is a long hard journey but the results are worth it. The rewards are small but very precious. You may never here him say "I love you. Mom" but don't ever doubt he does!

The behaviors you describe could be caused by any number of mental health disorders: ADHD, Oppositional Definant Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, etc. He could also have sensory-integration disorders as the cause. No one can make a diagnosis from a quick listing of a dozen behaviors. So, I'd not move in any direction until you get a good assessment. What you need to do is get a thorough evaluation by a licensed mental health provider who is trained and experienced in treating adopted and foster children and attachment disorders. You can find someone in your area on the list of Registered Clinicians at [URL=http://www.attach.org]ATTACh[/URL] Or call the nearest person and I am sure they can recommend a more local person with the necessary training and credentials to help you. regards

Well after months of doctors, medicine, etc. we were told he is under the "PDD" umbrella. He is on meds for ADHD and is doing well. Towards the end of the school year he was finally put in a class for more socialization. We will also start "play therapy" next week. His therapist said he was not curable, but treatable. He also said we should notice a difference in a year. Thank God our adoption subsidy is paying for this treatment. Thank you all for your advice.