Re: Possible Asperger's?

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Thanks for your post. Jake actually has a fabulous sense of humor.

His teachers actually wanted him to try out for the school's talent

show and do a stand-up routine because he actually tells funny jokes

that make sense.

Kidding aside, I am going to discuss this with his new neurologist in

three weeks.

Thanks again,

Alison

> Hi Alison,

>

> As I was reading your post, the first thought that popped into my mind

> was Asperger's Syndrome. I am a special ed teacher & work with many

> students who are diagnosed with this. All of the things you listed are

> associated with this developmental disorder. What you should know is

> that Asperger's kids typically have normal intelligence. A key thing

> that you didn't mention with Asperger's kids is that they have

> difficulty with things such as idioms (taking things literally) and

> humor (may not get a joke). Do you see any of these things with Jake?

> He may be too young to see this kind of thing yet.

>

> Kim C.

>

>

>

> 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 cognitiv

e 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)