Asperger's Question

Special Needs Asperger's Syndrome
21

Hello-

My son just turned 4 in February and has outgrown a lot of things that used to concern me about him. For example, just this last year he's finally able to be around loud sounds without becoming terrified or, at the very least, holding his ears. (We'll see how he handles the parades this summer. He loves emergency vehicles but held his ears the entire 4th of July parade last year.) I was always so concerned about this behavior of his but it seemed to just slowly go away on its own. I don't want to downplay your concerns about your son. You certainly know him better than anyone else. If he qualifies for early intervention, and it is successful in helping him, then that is wonderful. However, I don't think the "unusual" fears of a young child are that unusual at all, or cause for great concern. All children vary in how they process sensory information, some are just naturally more sensitive than others. (I think my mother would demand everything to stop if something was in her sock.) Again, you and your doctor are best able to judge if his behavior is within the normal range.. which is quite a large range.

My son still doesn't draw a lot of pictures, either. He prefers to scribble "abstract" works. But he can draw if he wants to, can write some letters... just like your son. So it is mostly a personality thing. This probably isn't so concerning. Your son sounds very bright. The muscle tone concern is something the pediatrician may want to watch, but I don't know what the normal range for gross motor development is.

As far as social fears, my son is very shy as well. He prefers older kids and adults as well. I too have noticed quite a range of how comfortable he is with other kids, depending on the situation and how shy he feels that day, I suppose. We all have different levels of comfort in social situations and some people are naturally more outgoing than others, especially in different social situations. My son takes a while to warm up to other kids, but he will be going to PreK next year, and so I know he will get better at interacting with them. He can be very shy around adults, but he is getting much better at talking to them then he used to be even a couple months ago. So basically.. he is a shy child who is more comfortable talking to older people but he is slowly growing out of it. There is a good chance your child is the same way. I wouldn't worry more than you need to about these things. Kids grow out of most of the behaviors that worry us the most. Researching different disorders on your own will only increase your fearfulness that your child has something wrong. Leave the diagnosis to the professionals and try to relax. With time, patience,and opportunities to interact with other kids, your child will probably grow out of most of these things. And if he doesn't, if a professional diagnoses him with something, then he will get the help he needs and he will still be fine. So don't worry! :-)

Nikki

22

I would be getting him tested for allergies, food and clothing fibers in particular. Polyester, latex are very common allergies. Food allergies in particular can affect the brain.

The low muscle tone leads me to be believe he's not absorbing nutrients likely due to excessive heavy metals in the body which block mineral uptake and contribute to killing off good bacteria in the bowel. Almost without exception these children have mercury in their bodies and brains.

It's unbelievable how much can change for the better when the diet (usually gluten and casein-free) is altered, the metals are detoxified and proper nutrients are given along with avoidance of allergens. Please have him tested, preferably at a naturopath who deals with some type of biofeedback machine or EAV. Scratch testing at the MD's is not very accurate and will not pick up minor sensitivities that could be major for him.

If you'd like some suggestions for detoxification that's safe and effective, email me and I'll send you some files (remind me from where you're writing and preferably paste in this correspondence so I won't need to search for--if I'm busy it could get lost in amongst my other emails and forgotten).

Trains are a typical Aspbergers obsession!

23

Miranda,

I do not have a child with Asperger's but my husband has a mild form of the syndrome. More importantly, I am a child/school psychologist who has worked for many years with children diagnosed with this syndrome.

What you have described does not sound like Asperger's Syndrome for several reasons. First and foremost, you do not describe a circumscribed interest. For example, my husband LOVES "The Simpsons"- he quotes it, refers to it and watches is regularly. The children I work with often are referred to as "little professors" surrounding very specific topics such as dinosaurs or engines. They can tell you everything and anything about the topic and will continue to talk and talk and talk w/o reading the social cues from the other person that the topic is boring or that they are no longer listening.

Second, your son reads social cues. The children I work with need to be taught the "mechanics" of social nuances and need to practice. I literally have "face" flashcards and we practice them like others would learn math facts. With my husband, I often have to explain to him why something that he has said is offensive to the receiver b/c he cannot perceive their reaction.

Third, folks with Asperger's are entirely black-and-white. There is no grey area and they cannot comprehend when things are not defined. Math and science tend to be their preferred subjects and literature just isn't enjoyable! Lots of engineers have Asperger's... that's the mindset.

Finally, people with Asperger's Syndrome thrive on routines and absolutely must have them to function. If a routine is broken without warning, these individuals cannot adjust. They melt-down, act-out and need a lot of help to return to a calm state.

Unless your friend is a doctor, don't listen to her. Yes, people with Asperger's often have sensory needs, but Asperger's is a syndrome, meaning that there is no test for it. There are a series of behavioral hallmarks that must be present for a diagnosis. If you are really concerned, speak with the pediatrician.

Educationally, this is irrelevant as a preschool student. All children who meet eligibility criteria for CPSE services as they age-out of EI are considered Preschoolers with a Disabilty (PWD). Your son's needs will be reviewed to determine whether or not he continues to require OT services. If he is not eligible through CPSE, speak with the pediatrician and request a script and get the OT through your insurance if possible.

To tell you not to worry is like telling you not to breathe, but unless you are leaving out major behaviors your son does not meet the DSM criteria for Asperger's, but he may have Sensory Integration Dysfunction- or he could just be a "quirky kid" who needs some extra help.

If you have further concerns, just message me. I live with Asperger's each day with my husband and work with several children diagnosed with the syndrome. It's a challenge, but once you understand how they think and react you can work through it!

Good luck at your meeting and remember that your son will get the services that he needs with or without a diagnosis.

24

Hi Miranda,

I am an OT, and from what you describe, I think maybe his problem with younger children has more to do with his sensory processing disorder than a spectrum disorder. Younger children are much more unpredictable in their movements and interactions, which can lead to much more unexpected and unanticipated physical contact with your son--which probably freaks him out! It's understandable, when you look at it that way. As he gets older, you can start teaching him some coping strategies to deal with situations like that.

Gotta go, my 2 year old is about to freak out. Good luck with everything!

25

Good Luck!! try not to read too much online. It always sounds worse. Let the pro's make the diagnosis. Be sure to have a second opinion also!!

26

I agree with the OTs that have responded, I too am an Occupational Therapist and I agree that it sounds more like a sensory integration issue than anything else. If you are concerned please talk to your son's OT, he/she should be able to ease your mind and provide strategies to help you "work" on things at home. I agree "the out of sync child" is a great guide that will help give you ideas on how to steer his play to help him overcome these sensory issues. Try not to worry too much, people have a way of projecting things out and very quickly becoming experts whether they really are or not. Tell your friend you appreciate her concern but you've discussed things with your pediatrician and your OT.

27

Hi Miranda-
I think too many people are becoming overwhelmed with a "diagnosis" when a child does things out of the so called "norm" I'm not a doctor, but it sounds as if your son has a sensory issue. My son has had speech, and OT, through early intervention. He also has low muscle tone. One of the major causes of these problems is not having enough "tummy time" as an infant. My son used to get very upset if I walked into a crowded room with him. I enrolled him in a pre-k program and it has done wonders. He is more outgoing, he plays with his peers, and he's becoming less shy. Maybe you should consider enrolling him into a program so he can interact with children his age.

Sometimes too much information can do more harm than good. We as parents become so obsessed that we no longer look for simple answers. Your son just might be a shy little boy who is not around too many children his own age and is therefore fearful. This can be especially true if he is an only child. If you still have concerns, speak to your son's pediatrician.
I hope this helps,
Karen

28

Hi Mira
My son is 4 1/2. We just had him tested becasue he does not interactive with other kids in preschool or very little interaction (he told me he was nervous with kids if I am not there). The test result was negative - not likely asperger syndrom. The dr. said even there are a couple of symptoms he fits in, but there are other measures he does not. How about your son with his routine? I understand it is an important measure of asperger syndrom. The psychologist also jokingly told us it is not bad to have asperger syndrom - half of the scientists have that. They have to have that level of focus and not interesting socail in order to be creative.
After all, I would trust your own mom-instinct, after all, the dr. using cokie cutter to measure, you have all the inside.