Re: Socialization, deviated septum

[Guest guest]

Alison, I was thinking about you this morning, too! And then just

got your email. I, too, was thinking Asbergers as I read your

description. Our non-RSS son went through the 3-day comprehensive

psych evaluation for his anxiety, and we went through the eval for

Aspergers (he doesn't have it) but I still remember the entry-

level " list of questions. " Your gut instinct is accurate -- do not

let someone else talk you out of it. You know him better than

anyone else.

You need to find a specialist, even if you have to pay for it (save

every penny you have) and get him properly evaluated. These type of

social issues are not going to go away. It may not be Asperger's

and it may be something as simple as social anxiety (which can also

cause lack of eye contact, etc). He could simply be extremely

bright and rigid and unable to switch topics outside of the one that

he is very comfortable with. But again, therapy will help

tremendously. The longer you wait, the more distant he will become

from his peers.

I can feel your worry and your pain through your words, and wish I

could go out for coffee, talk, hug, etc. But you know what to do.

He definitely needs the eval. Talk to your pediatrician and see if

she can write a prescription for an eval so insurance will cover

it. Feell free to contact me with any questions whatsoever. I'm

here anytime for you!!!

(Salem)

> I have not posted in a very long time. A few things have been

going

> on with Jake lately that are concerning us. He is 5 years old and

> getting ready to begin kindergarten in the fall. We are having

> serious concerns about him being able to adapt to a full size

general

> ed class. He will still have an IEP for OT, PT and some behav.

> concerns. He is just finishing up his third year in a sp. ed.

> preschool program. While his cognitive abilities are fine, he has

> trouble with staying focused and on task. We have suspected ADD

for a

> while and go back to a new neurologist to reopen the subject next

> month. In the meantime his preschool teacher suggested some

> socialization therapy. He is a very social child, but seems more

> comfortable with adults instead of kids. He still parallel plays.

> Other kids sort of don't " get him " as he is obsessed with trains

and

> only really wants to speak about them. It is almost like other

> " normal " kids don't really take him seriously. It breaks my

heart.

> It is hard for me to really type exactly what I mean here, other

than

> something is off. He is also very poor at making eye contact.

When

> we " force " him to look us in the eye, it is though it is painful

for

> him. I began to call some places that offer socialization therapy

and

> after getting into a conversation with one of the therapist, she

asked

> if we have ever looked into Asberger's Sydrome. Of course, it was

> only a short conversation and by no means was she diagnosing him

she

> just wanted to throw it out there. So of course I began to

research

> it and Jake does seem to display some of the symptoms.

>

> Anyone out there with similar concerns or opinions???

>

> Alison (Jake, 5, RSS, gh, g-tube zantac, periactin, zyrtec)

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison,

I am sorry to hear you are having problems with Jake. Let me fill

you in on who is very similar to Jake. was obsessed

with doors. Open/close. Parallel play only, prefers talking to

adults. Bright, but still OT, PT, speech, feeding therapy.

When we saw Dr H in February, we spoke about it. She said that many

RSS children have been diagnosed either with PDD or PDD type

tendancies.

We took to the psychiatrist who diagnosed him with PDD and put

him on a minute dose of risperdal. We were lucky. We saw immediate

results.

Although we are still working on actually playing with other

children, his obsessions have lessened, he is playing much more

imaginatively, does his work better at school etc.

We have an appointment with Dr H today for his 3 month checkup and

have a double IEP meeting tomorrow for kindergarten.

Good luck,

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 5 year old twins