How do I know if it could be AS?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
How do I know if it could be AS?
4
Tue, 03-11-2008 - 1:34pm

My son is 5yo and his Montessori teacher told me yesterday during a Parent-Teacher conference that she's wondered if there's a possibility he could have AS. She says he exhibits SOME of the symptoms. My son is incredibly intelligent, and learns academic things at lightning speed. She said in the last 12 years, she's only had four other kids with the same intelligence level as him. He also is sensitive to certain sounds and sometimes covers his ears when he's scared. He also doesn't give great eye contact. But when I read about AS, it says that kids often have poor motor-skill development when they are little (walking and crawling late, getting hurt or being clumsy) and my son doesn't have these problems. He actually walked at an early age. He also doesn't have certain "routines" or "object/subject obsessions" that I've read about. There isn't a particular "thing" that he's into, like cars or a certain subject in school. In those ways, he seems like all the other kids to me. Socially, he sometimes chooses to work alone or play alone at school, but other times he does play with classmates. When we go to the park, I see him interacting with other kids and running around with them.

Crystal Siggy 3/23
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Tue, 03-11-2008 - 2:23pm

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome :).


Well the way you describe your child he does have some things that should be looked into.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Tue, 03-11-2008 - 6:24pm

Hello and welcome,

Many of us moms "know" our child has Asperger's (or whatever) long before the diagnosis is officially given, because we read up on it online or in the libraries and it's like a lightbulb goes off in our heads.

Of course you still need a professional to make it official, but you know where I am coming from here.

If something does not feel right, it probably isn't. Having just said that however, my son, who is definitely on the spectrum was ahead in most gross motor skills when he was younger, despite some hypotonia. My daughter, who is "at risk for Asperger's" is very graceful and co-ordinated, too. Their Dad is excellent at sports, so I reckon some of his talent has found it's way in there despite their "disabilities". I know they certainly didn't get it from me ;).

Sometimes, a kid can present as 'Aspergers-like" and had a different issue. You may want to research some of these and see if the lightbulb pops on any of them: Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD or NLD), ADHD (all three types) Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) or other Auditory Processing Disorders (APDs).

Or he could just be a quirky kid, or a little too young for a formal diagnosis. It is really difficult to sort this stuff out, sometimes.

However, No matter what; you have us. Please feel free to hang with us while you go through this process of discovery. We have BTDT and we are happy to help in any way we can.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
Tue, 03-11-2008 - 11:12pm

Ladies,


Thank you both for your thoughtful responses. The last day and a half have felt like a roller coaster of emotions. I consider myself to be a very intuitive mother and the thought that there could be something "wrong" with my son without me being aware of it has really dealt me a blow. I keep reading things that other parents have posted that say they "knew" something wasn't right at an early age. This has not been the case with me. With the exception of his auditory issues, I have not seen other signs that he might have some type of condition or disorder. Socially, I think he does really well. He has a few friends at school, and is eager to make new friends whenever he's given the opportunity. I also read that children with AS often have a hard time reading emotional cues from others and lack empathy. My child is the polar opposite of this. My husband and I have always felt that he's almost TOO sensitive to how others are feeling, to the point that he will cry or be upset if someone else is sad or angry. He always asks "does that make you feel angry?" or "does that make you feel sad?"


I'm not trying to sound like I'm in denial or I'm trying to talk myself out of something. I'm just trying to process what has been a real information and emotion overload the last day or two. In my heart, I've only ever wanted my son to be happy, healthy and well adjusted. When the teacher told me she was wondering about AS, the first thing that entered my head was "OMG, my son will struggle to make friends and won't grow up confident and secure" which is and always has been one of my greatest fears as a mother. OF COURSE I was overreacting, but that was just my first reaction and I've spent the last day trying to calm myself down and realize that regardless of any "diagnosis" or "label," my son is a happy, healthy, well adjusted little boy who is full of passions and dreams and nothing will change that.


I would love to hear more of your stories. Is there a discussion on this board where I can find out more about you guys? I guess I should go poke around...


Thanks for listening. I don't feel quite so alone now.


Crystal (In Washington State)

Crystal Siggy 3/23
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Tue, 03-11-2008 - 11:42pm

Hi again Crystal,


I so understand how you are feeling right now!