My son was diagnosed today with aspergers syndrome

[Sinergy 3]

I sd it in another thread but i wanted to start a new one so i wouldnt hyjack the current thread

my son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome today, which is a mild type of autism. Im still researching this, but if ANYONE has insight or knowledge on this please please email me : hockeygir@gmail.com...im desperate right now.

His peds other concern was Joshuas OCD. Hes bad with it. example: if you give him chicken nuggest and fries and you give him the plate with the nuggest and fries on the right hand side and ketchup on the left side, he will refuse to eat it, if you flip it, he also refuses as he knows it was wrongly placed in the first place. I have to place his food correctly on the plate for him to eat. Tonight he spent 15 mins fixing things in my closet as he noticed a pair of shoes were not lined correctly.

The Asperger's syndrome part is mainly, he sings to express himself, hes 3 and still talking like hes 1, he uses 2 word sentences. when he watches tv, he stands infront of it and hops while flapping his hands. Theres more things but im so tired right now.

Im so numb, and confused, angry and i dunno.

[GaryC 7]

I am very sorry to hear about this. I have a friend who's son has severe autism. He said this site gave him a lot of good info. Check it out.

http://www.autism-help.org/

[Sinergy 3]

Thanks Gary, i will look at the site.

I try to stay clear of the autism sites, bc its just a mild type of autism, but i guess i cant avoid them, as even tho a mild type, its still a sort of autism.

I just saw this on the site you gave me gary : Walking on tip toes....hes been doing this since his first birthday, which is the day he walked by himself, just adding it in as i forgot to state it in my OP

Edited June 19, 2008 by Sinergy

[Y's_habibitk 2]

This can be a very high functioning condition. Im sure you are shocked,scared,confused,worried and all sorts of emotions I cant imagine.

There are plenty of adults that have aspergers and the only thing you may notice are some "odd" habits.

Autism is being so widely diagnosed nowadays (all types), Im sure you can find a support group or network of parents in your area to get with and share experience and strength.

Good Luck, and try to find some other moms to network with.

(((hugs)))

Lisa

Edited June 19, 2008 by Y_habibitk

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I would look into nutrition and supplements. Organic, natural... etc.

[sara..... 371]

im so sorry i can not offer advise all i have to offer is prayers for you and him

sara

[Sinergy 3]

I would look into nutrition and supplements. Organic, natural... etc.

I am already looking into that.

I watched the interview with Jenny McCarthy, her son is autistic and she sd she has him on a non dairy, no bread diet, and she noticed a huge difference. she sd when he isnt eating those hes almost like non autistic but she gave him bread one time and he sunk back into severe autism.

So yes im going to be researching a nutritional diet for Joshua. Thanks

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm so sorry, Taura. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[MrsCat 6]

Sinergy,

Firstly let me begin by saying that I am really sorry to hear that. I am not a mental health professional, however worked for a program which centered on allocating services for children with special needs. A large number of our families had either a child with autism or aspergers.

I do know that a lot of families found some programs more helpful than others. The first one of which that comes to mind is Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). Its a family based therapy for children with autism- which centers on teaching the family to assist their child. Most other approaches require the use of aides within the home to provide care. Not that that was a bad approach either. It really depended on the needs of the family and child.

The only advice I can really give you is to seek community resources to see what is available and which treatment providers are available in your community. In our province in Canada, the program was run through Childrens' Services, a part of Child Welfare. A good resource might be to ask your family physician for any social workers in your area. They are trained to be knowledgeable of programs/services available in your area. They might even be able to find funding to provide services like occupational/physical therapy, access to a psychologist and respite.

I am sorry. Its never easy - its especially hard when you're trying to understand what this diagnosis means for your son and your family.

Cat

[Sinergy 3]

Sinergy,

Firstly let me begin by saying that I am really sorry to hear that. I am not a mental health professional, however worked for a program which centered on allocating services for children with special needs. A large number of our families had either a child with autism or aspergers.

I do know that a lot of families found some programs more helpful than others. The first one of which that comes to mind is Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). Its a family based therapy for children with autism- which centers on teaching the family to assist their child. Most other approaches require the use of aides within the home to provide care. Not that that was a bad approach either. It really depended on the needs of the family and child.

The only advice I can really give you is to seek community resources to see what is available and which treatment providers are available in your community. In our province in Canada, the program was run through Childrens' Services, a part of Child Welfare. A good resource might be to ask your family physician for any social workers in your area. They are trained to be knowledgeable of programs/services available in your area. They might even be able to find funding to provide services like occupational/physical therapy, access to a psychologist and respite.

I am sorry. Its never easy - its especially hard when you're trying to understand what this diagnosis means for your son and your family.

Cat

Thank you so much Cat. I will look into all of that, I just found out this morning, and its been such a long day so i have been a mess mentally. i will begin this tomorrow.

I am so glad the insurance i have with work is amazing, this way i can get him the best specialist i can find. It shouldnt be hard living in the same town with University of Florida.

[rebeccajo 14]

Aw this stinks.

Would a hug do for now? (((mom)))

[MrsCat 6]

Thank you so much Cat. I will look into all of that, I just found out this morning, and its been such a long day so i have been a mess mentally. i will begin this tomorrow.

I am so glad the insurance i have with work is amazing, this way i can get him the best specialist i can find. It shouldnt be hard living in the same town with University of Florida.

You have an amazing attitude Sinergy and this will take you and your son very far. You're to be admired!

And you're right - having a University is one of the best resources - because they are on top of all the research and programs available. If our Government program didn't want to pay for some sort of therapy, the professors, doctors and teachers at the University here were writing letters, attending appeal hearings - whatever it took to get assistance for these kids. They were amazing.

Just remembered - the other school of thought on assisting kids with autism spectrum is ABA - Applied Behavioral Analysis. Quite a different approach then RDI. ABA has a considerably longer history and use than RDI.

[LaL 418]

I am sorry your family faces this challenge Tara. *hugs*

[Mina76 0]

I am also sorry to hear of this of your little boy.

You are both in my thoughts and prayers, GOD Bless

[sparkofcreation 0]

My husband has AS and OCD. I guess the biggest thing to keep in mind is that my husband has AS and OCD, but he also has a happy marriage, a good job, a house, two cats and a dog, all that stuff. It's tough going, especially for kids and young teenagers, but it's not the end of the world.

A good website devoted mostly to letting people with AS and high-functioning autism talk amongst themselves is http://www.wrongplanet.net ... they have a parents' forum, but again, I think it's really helpful to be able to say, here are adults who have challenges, but they're also having lives like anyone else.

PM me if you want to talk.

Edited June 19, 2008 by sparkofcreation