Hello Hannelore - thanks for posting - I remember you work with special needs children - as I think I said earlier my grandson is only 4 so very early days yet - but if you don't mind it would be good to be able to be in touch in the future should we need any pointers! x

I work with Aspergers children every day (in an English mainstream school). Get in touch with me whenever you feel like it or have any questions.

Lorchen

Hi, I haven't been able to get on here much lately but yes, my 17-yr-old twins both have Asperger's Syndrome and a Non-verbal learning disorder (they don't learn by watching, but can remember just about anything they read!) We didn't get a diagnosis until they were 13, at that time I read somewhere that they call this a disability "that grows on you" b/c it's not so evident as a small child... ie, you don't get lost in 1st grade b/c you follow the student in front of you everywhere, but by high school you're expected to know your way around & have some sense of space. So I don't know how they might diagnose a 4-yr-old, BUT it's great if they do. There are so many interventional therapies that can make a HUGE difference, I wish we had been able to take advantage of them earlier and longer... a pediatric occupational therapist was a god-send to me. Also speech therapy & social skills therapies.
We're now working on college applications & it's eating all my time, trying to get them to stay on track & get it done, but I am excited we've found a college that deals specifically with learning disabilities & ADHD, & Asperger's fits too.
FW it's great that your son is willing to "get along" with an Aspie roomie... You are so right being accepting makes a world of difference.
I'd be happy to discuss any of this privately as well or arrange a chat if anyone wants.
Florence

Sorry - the above post should have read 'daughter' not sister!! x

Rachel - thanks for posting about your boy - interesting to hear about other people's experiences. My grandson has been at pre-school for a year now, and is about to start 'proper' school. They live in a small community where his child-minder taught at the school where he is due to start. His pre-school teacher has already spoken to his class teacher (with his mum's permission of course) about some of his problems, such as sudden/loud noises, which distress him a lot - but has also explained that he gets totally engrossed such that he doesn't always listen - and the positive side, his interest in science type things. It is early days yet, but my sister is a Youth Worker and is working with a 16 year old with AS - so my grandson has a brilliant mum fighting his corner for him - x

That's my line I'm a therapist working mostly with middle and high schoolers on the spectrum. PDD/Asperger's with a host of other conditions. Amazing how much anxiety and depression comes with being different.

LOVE LOVE LOVE working with my boys. Despite their myriad social challenges, they want so much to learn to get along with others, and have some of the most giving and wonderful hearts I've ever met.

Lisa

Rachel, it sounds like Alex is really blessed to have you in his corner! I'm glad he's doing better.

I have a 15 year old son with AS. He is bright and funny. He had a very hard time a few years ago. This was mainly because a certain teacher was very abrasive and voilent towards his class. Yes you read right and NO the school did not fire him. My son does not handle aggressive behavior very well. Infact he will remove himself from the situation completely. This is something that I taught him along time ago. He use to handle somones agression by hurting himself. For years he was diagnosed with attention defficit sometimes with hyper disorder sometimes without. He is very quiet and he will play with one toy in one spot for hours. ADD or ADHD is not what he is. When he threatened suicide 2 years ago due to this teacher's behavior, I was grateful. I know that sounds weird, but at least he said something. I was able to get him professional help. I quit messing around with the medical group doctors and went and seen the one I knew was the right one. Because he was in a crisis state I could do this and the insurance company couldn't stop me. Alex is highly functioning, AS. He also has dyscalcula (math is a foriegn language). He has his own sense of organization and time. No one else gets it and he does not understand normal time or organization. He has wonderful friends but only a few. They are really close to my younger son as well because they know that when they come over Alex will abandon them for awhile to be by himself then come back to be with them again. It is just something he does always has, always will. He has lost a couple girlfriends because he doesn't "MOVE" as fast as they would like him to. Which is fine with me. Right now he is dating a 13 year old. He adores her and they have a great time doing what ever the other wants. which is usually playing games and watching movies. He even braids her hair It really is sweet. Don't worry too much about that little boy just yet these teachers that are being educated now are learning on so many levels. My best advise is though find out if there is a "League for the Handicap" type school in your area and get him tested to see if he is eligible for any extra services like preschool. In this day and age a little extra help before starting school can't hurt a bit.
Rachel

Yes, exactly - when does being 'quirky' or a little bit different become a 'syndrome' - I think some would say I am a bit eccentric because I don't fall into the 'shopaholic' mentality, at least, I can give clothes/shoes/bags a miss - but can't resist fabric!

I've known several people with the diagnosis, but of course, it runs the full gamut from no "visible" effects to seriously impaired life functions. It might be called the "diagnosis" of the decade by some who scoff at it, but when you watch somebody with it it is amazing how many challenges they have to overcome!
Lynn

My son's suite mate in college has asperger's syndrome. This is the third suite this young man has been moved to in the past two years. Somehow...he seems to have to connected with my son. While they are not roommates (the young man has his own room in the suite), everyone in the suite just simply accepts him for who he is. The Resident Assistant on the floor said this past year has probably been the most positive for this young man. He seems to have found a group of people who are accepting of him and his differences.
While I am sure the diagnosis of AS is not one parents want to hear...it is something which can be 'managed' with proper therapies.
Everyone has an idiosyncrasy...but it is learning how to live with it and being accepting of others as well.

FW

I was browsing around some of the other topics and noticed one or two posting made by 'florence' which mentioned her two boys with Asperer's Syndrome - my little grandson (4) shows some signs - not diagnosed officially - but a bright little boy with definite leaning towards science already - and one or two other signs as well.

There are lots of forums on the internet on this subject but I wondered if there is anybody else on here that has been touched by AS?