How did you get a dr. to diagnose that? What were your child's syptoms? I have a 5 year old, almost 6, who is on meds for ADHD...without them, he is an absolute terror..obnoxious, loud, no punishement seems to stop him, rude, crude, you name it. On the meds, he is a new child...calm, sweet, still a little boy through and through BUT he is able to reason, and control himself. However, he is extremely over emotional. He does not do well in new situations....does not do well in social situations...people at church, even, who say hi to him (adults) and want to be his friend, he hides from...ducks his head, puts his tongue in his cheek, and just won't answer. Starting kindergarten has been a nightmare...he is going, but he is not a happy camper. He stressed out big time over a fire drill he got told about a day ahead of time last week. He was determined not to go to school...but he did, and he ended up doing fine. He is a home body, too...even to go to the store, etc. If I have to go, he stays here with Daddy, but not without giving me a hug and a kiss...no, make that two hugs and two kisses...each and every time...can't vary. I realize that all of this may just be an extremely shy child, but I worry. He has an ADHD check up in a few weeks, and I am going to ask the dr. about all of this..just to see what she thinks...but I just wanted some info on it now. And you ladies always know so much!! Thank you!!

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Have you talked to your doctor about it? We have friends that have a child with aspergers and they worked very closely with their pediatrician and then a pediatric psychiatrist, but that might be an unique situation. There is tons of info online...maybe find a message board for parents and ask questions?

http://www.autism-society.org/site/P...name=Aspergers

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_aspe.htm

Thank you for those links. The first one gave me even more info that I had already found on my own. He is scheduled for a checkup in a few weeks..and I have planned on talking to his dr. about this..but from what I had read so far, it is very hard to get a dr. who understands about this problem. That is why I was asking HOW they got their drs. to diagnose. We have yet to find a pediatrician we like in TN...OMG how I MISS the one we had in AL...so I am not sure what to expect in asking her these kind of questions. Thanks again, though..this really helped.

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Jennifer, one of my DS has an Asperger's diagnoisis. Your very first step should be to talk with your peditrican. Also, contact your state's autism society to see what resources they offer. Our NC Autism Society offers a "what is this" type of seminar for those parents of newly diagnosed with any form of autism. School psycologist can help you too - but you would have to start the whole IEP process and can be very time consuming.

I am not an expert, but what I do know is that there are no two kids who will "look" exactly the same symptom wise. Meaning, my DS might be verbal but others aren't. Autism is more like an umbrella with so many types fitting under the umbrella - asperger's, high functioning, PPD-NOS AS WELL as many different characteristics. As I said, my DS doesn't have verbal issues (meaning he does communicate and has language skills) but his language at times can be pretty repetivite and not socially meanful to anyone but him, he has ADD issues as well as sensory issues (hands over ears is my warning sign that too much sensory input is going on).

Feel free to PM/email me if any questions.
Another link:http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/.
and
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asperger/whatis.htm

Good luck - I know you will handle this just fine.

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Debbie

"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." --Benjamin Franklin

Just wanted to say that Riley saw the dr. today and she ruled out any real problems. She said he just is more sensitive than others are. He could very clearly answer all of her questions..sat still for the whole appt, etc..and this was at a time of the day that he is coming off the meds..(concerta). She said not to worry for now. He has adjusted to school finally...and loves it. He talked to her openly about his teacher and his friends. She mentioned that some children and even adults will have certain deciples (sp?) of sounds that just trigger them....ie, lightning, fire alarm, large crowds...but that is okay. I felt better...and I know that he is doing GREAT in school...all "E" or "G"..and the "G" only twice. (E is excellent, G is great) Anyhow, thanks for your help. I'm just a worrywart mommy!!

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Thanks for letting us know. I'm so glad. To me, your description didn't really sound like autism or Aspergers. Some kids are just more sensitive, just like adults (I hate crowds and noisy places). There is a disorder called Sensory Integration Disorder, but again, signs would show up early, like my son couldn't have anything around his neck, had to remove tags, no snug clothing, no loud sounds, etc. What's funny, is that only now, with having a second who's only one, I see definite differences. I just thought ds was a needy baby - what they call a high-need baby. The ped never thought anything was wrong until just this past April, a full year after ds was officially diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician who specialized in this area. Also, many kids with Autism or Aspergers really do not have ADD or ADHD, although that's often the first diagnosis by mistake. They are given medicine that doesn't really help. Enjoy your "typical" family. Of course you are a worrywart - aren't we all?