RE: Levels of Aspergers

March 5, 2011

I don't know that they have officially identified different levels of aspergers, but I believe that they are there. It also has a lot to do with sensory processing disorder which is very often diagnosed alongside AS and ASD disorders, and there are many documented levels to that disorder. Having said that, I read in a book once That AS kids are often hyperverbal but have a difficult time distinguishing emotions on others faces and following along in a conversation, this is right on in my daughters case....CarolynSent from my iPadOn Mar 5, 2011, at 6:15 AM, "carolyn" <crlyn_whittaker@...> wrote:

With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.

I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

March 5, 2011

Asperger's is a pervasive disorder, meaning it affects many

of the child's functioning.

The main thing all kids with Asperger have in common is

impaired social interactions and restricted interests.

That is the defination of it.

They get focused on one time, and it may change what that

thing is. They are overly focused in talking about there special

interests and not reading body language that others are not

interested.

What makes AS better or worse is if the child has executive

function issues, such as attentional issues, poor organization,

difficulty with slow processing, poor working memory. Difficult

with reading comprehension.

Also if an AS child has emotional issues that trumps everything

else. If the child is anxious or severely compulsive that

is the " major " problem. They may have school anxiety/refusal

they may get aggressive when asked to stop something they prefer.

Some are exremely ridgid thinkers and have lots of meltdowns.

Many AS kids have poor motor skills are clumsy and also many

have trouble going to sleep at night. Many AS kids do not

like to talk about their feelings or are very unaware of their

feelings. Many are sensitive to noises, feel of things etc.

I hope this helps.

Pam

In , " carolyn " <crlyn_whittaker@...> wrote:

>

> With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because

I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being

in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

> What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different

stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have

different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able

to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like

me, these words never sink in.

> I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more

Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 5, 2011

One other thing kids with ADHD often have similar traits

to AS but not as extreme as AS. ADHD kids are

usually diagnosised because of their hyperactivity

but many AS kids too have hyperactivity.

ADHD kids have social issues, they are too intrusive and

too unaware that they are being too bossy.

ADHD kids may have limited interests like being on the

computer all the time or playing video games.

ADHD kids act out and pester others, AS kids don't usually

provoke kids for attention in the same way.

It is subtle but ADHD is usually the first diagnosis an AS

kid gets unless they have anxiety.

Pam

>

> With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because

I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being

in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

> What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different

stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have

different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able

to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like

me, these words never sink in.

> I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more

Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 5, 2011

Wow, you just described my son to the t. The only thing he isn't is clumbsy. He has great motor skills. Now that I feel I am headed in the right direction maybe things will turn around.Sent from myTouch 4G----- Reply message -----From: " Pamela " <susanonderko@...>< >Subject: ( ) Re: Levels of AspergersDate: Sat, Mar 5, 2011 9:58 am

Asperger's is a pervasive disorder, meaning it affects many

of the child's functioning.

The main thing all kids with Asperger have in common is

impaired social interactions and restricted interests.

That is the defination of it.

They get focused on one time, and it may change what that

thing is. They are overly focused in talking about there special

interests and not reading body language that others are not

interested.

What makes AS better or worse is if the child has executive

function issues, such as attentional issues, poor organization,

difficulty with slow processing, poor working memory. Difficult

with reading comprehension.

Also if an AS child has emotional issues that trumps everything

else. If the child is anxious or severely compulsive that

is the " major " problem. They may have school anxiety/refusal

they may get aggressive when asked to stop something they prefer.

Some are exremely ridgid thinkers and have lots of meltdowns.

Many AS kids have poor motor skills are clumsy and also many

have trouble going to sleep at night. Many AS kids do not

like to talk about their feelings or are very unaware of their

feelings. Many are sensitive to noises, feel of things etc.

I hope this helps.

Pam

In , " carolyn " <crlyn_whittaker@...> wrote:

>

> With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

> What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.

> I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 5, 2011

Pam,this is a great guideline. Have any of your children been diagnosed with Bipolar? My son's neuro suspects mood disturbance disorder. I looked this up and it's also known as bipolar.From: Pamela <susanonderko@...> Sent: Sat, March 5, 2011 7:05:29 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Levels of Aspergers

One other thing kids with ADHD often have similar traits

to AS but not as extreme as AS. ADHD kids are

usually diagnosised because of their hyperactivity

but many AS kids too have hyperactivity.

ADHD kids have social issues, they are too intrusive and

too unaware that they are being too bossy.

ADHD kids may have limited interests like being on the

computer all the time or playing video games.

ADHD kids act out and pester others, AS kids don't usually

provoke kids for attention in the same way.

It is subtle but ADHD is usually the first diagnosis an AS

kid gets unless they have anxiety.

Pam

>

> With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

> What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.

> I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 5, 2011

Yes Carolyn there are different severitys of Aspergers from mild to severe. Also

the basic characteristcs of Aspergers manifests itself different in each child.

We all have a lot in common though with our kids. The sensory issues usually

cause the most problems because they often will trigger behavior problems. I

think many of our kids are either over affectionate or don't like touch at all.

For me. I knew my son was different by the time he was 3. He was over hyper and

very rigid in his thinking. He had lost some of his language abilities from

saying sentences back to just saying single words. He obsessed over certain

" type " of toys and he was overly sensitive to texture in clothes and food. He

had to have cotton t-shirts and sweat pants with the cotton lining. He was

extremely picking about his socks. He would only were Hanes with the green

stripe on the toe and even then he would try on several pair before he found his

" calm " socks as he used to call them. LOL!

When it came to food he only ate certain things and the texture played a big

role in whether he'd like it.

He wouldn't really play With other kids but rather beside them. He enjoyed

playing by himself most and was content that way.

Anyway I could give many more examples but I also had two older children at the

time so the differences were obvious.

I hope this helps.

ne

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

carolyn <crlyn_whittaker@...> wrote:

>With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

>Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because

I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being

in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

>What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different

stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have

different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

>What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

>I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able

to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like

me, these words never sink in.

>I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive

lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 5, 2011

That is exactly What happened to my son. He got dx of ADHD in kindergarten then

SPD in second grade and finally AS in fifth grade.

As AS kids get older their social skills deficits become more noticeable and

they often finally get the proper dx.

ne

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Pamela <susanonderko@...> wrote:

>One other thing kids with ADHD often have similar traits

>to AS but not as extreme as AS. ADHD kids are

>usually diagnosised because of their hyperactivity

>but many AS kids too have hyperactivity.

>

>ADHD kids have social issues, they are too intrusive and

>too unaware that they are being too bossy.

>

>ADHD kids may have limited interests like being on the

>computer all the time or playing video games.

>

>ADHD kids act out and pester others, AS kids don't usually

>provoke kids for attention in the same way.

>

>It is subtle but ADHD is usually the first diagnosis an AS

>kid gets unless they have anxiety.

>

>Pam

>

>>

>> With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

>> Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because

I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being

in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>>

>> What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in

different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to

have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

>> What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

>> I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able

to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like

me, these words never sink in.

>> I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more

Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>>

>

March 5, 2011

Excellent description! I've forwarded it to my mother, husband, and son.

I hope you don't mind! I did remove your identifying info.

Eleanor, San , CA

Aspie son Isaac, 10.5 years old

On 03/05/2011 06:58 , Pamela wrote:

> Asperger's is a pervasive disorder, meaning it affects many

> of the child's functioning.

>

> The main thing all kids with Asperger have in common is

> impaired social interactions and restricted interests.

> That is the defination of it.

>

> They get focused on one time, and it may change what that

> thing is. They are overly focused in talking about there special

> interests and not reading body language that others are not

> interested.

>

> What makes AS better or worse is if the child has executive

> function issues, such as attentional issues, poor organization,

> difficulty with slow processing, poor working memory. Difficult

> with reading comprehension.

>

> Also if an AS child has emotional issues that trumps everything

> else. If the child is anxious or severely compulsive that

> is the " major " problem. They may have school anxiety/refusal

> they may get aggressive when asked to stop something they prefer.

> Some are exremely ridgid thinkers and have lots of meltdowns.

>

> Many AS kids have poor motor skills are clumsy and also many

> have trouble going to sleep at night. Many AS kids do not

> like to talk about their feelings or are very unaware of their

> feelings. Many are sensitive to noises, feel of things etc.

>

> I hope this helps.

>

> Pam

>

> In

> <mailto: %40>, " carolyn "

> <crlyn_whittaker@...> wrote:

> >

> > With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

> Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> > Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I

> can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't

> read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips

> from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me

> understand about marissa's condition.

> >

> > What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in

> different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all

> seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their

> children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> > What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do

> your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale

> signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off

> firstly.

> > I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their

> child will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I

> want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a

> group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text

> book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.

> > I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written

> the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

> >

>

March 5, 2011

What you describe sounds so much like my son when he was younger!Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 5, 2011, at 1:47 PM, s_hansen34@... wrote:

Yes Carolyn there are different severitys of Aspergers from mild to severe. Also the basic characteristcs of Aspergers manifests itself different in each child. We all have a lot in common though with our kids. The sensory issues usually cause the most problems because they often will trigger behavior problems. I think many of our kids are either over affectionate or don't like touch at all.

For me. I knew my son was different by the time he was 3. He was over hyper and very rigid in his thinking. He had lost some of his language abilities from saying sentences back to just saying single words. He obsessed over certain "type" of toys and he was overly sensitive to texture in clothes and food. He had to have cotton t-shirts and sweat pants with the cotton lining. He was extremely picking about his socks. He would only were Hanes with the green stripe on the toe and even then he would try on several pair before he found his "calm" socks as he used to call them. LOL!

When it came to food he only ate certain things and the texture played a big role in whether he'd like it.

He wouldn't really play With other kids but rather beside them. He enjoyed playing by himself most and was content that way.

Anyway I could give many more examples but I also had two older children at the time so the differences were obvious.

I hope this helps.

ne

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

carolyn <crlyn_whittaker@...> wrote:

>With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

>Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

>What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

>What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

>I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.

>I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 5, 2011

, Aren't our sons about the same age? Your son is 14 or 15 if I remember right. When did your son get dx?ne>With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it

all.>Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.>>What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.>What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.>I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so

wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.>I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.>

March 5, 2011

Yes, my son is 14. He was diagnosed with sensory integration disorder @ 3.5 (by an Occ Therapist), ADHD @ 5 (pediatrician), anxiety - NOS @ 8 (psychologist), and was evaluated specifically for Aspergers by the school in 6th grade (at my request) which indicated he had it. I never went for an independent evaluation because we've always focused more on the symptoms and less on the diagnosis. He had one-on-one behavioral therapy from 5-8 and again for a few months @ 10. I had therapy to help me learn how to effectively parent him while adjusting to the challenges I faced with him (which brought out things about me that were super hard to deal with at times.) He had speech therapy @ 5 and was always covered at school with a 504 and then the Special Education label. He attended

several weeks of social skills camp from 11-13, most of which was based on Winner's curriculums. Me and my parents had more training when Dylan was 10 (about 6 months) to help us effectively discipline and understand him better. I can't say ENOUGH how helpful it was to get myself into therapy and parent training! It was one of the most effective use of our money. Most definitely.And on a side note, I don't believe my son has all of the things listed above. I think they were all individual interpretations of how he was acting at that age. When the school said it was likely Aspergers, it just made sense. I had done research and the things he struggled with the most - cognitive rigidity, difficulty making/keeping friends, difficulty reading social cues, sensory sensitive, and perserveration, all fit the Aspergers bill where the other diagnoses along the way just didn't, not 100%, at

least. From: susanne hansen <s_hansen34@...> Sent: Sat, March 5, 2011 9:09:40 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Levels of Aspergers

, Aren't our sons about the same age? Your son is 14 or 15 if I remember right. When did your son get dx?ne>With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it

all.>Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.>>What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.>What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.>I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so

wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.>I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.>

March 5, 2011

Our story is almost alike. My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 5, which kinda fit the bill but not really. My two older kids were 14 and 12 at the time my youngest was 5 and they both are ADHD/ADD. They were dx when they were 7 and 9. Anyway because I knew what ADHD "looked" like I knew my youngest was different. He has all these sensory things that my two older ones never had. So when he was 7 I had him evaluated by an OT and he was dx with SPD. So I thought this along with the ADHD made more sense.

But then there was the whole social thing. As he got a bit older it was more obvious that he just didn't "get it". He didn't understand figures of speech or idioms. He was much harder to discipline and he didn't really play with other kids. He wanted to play with them but not really "with" them if you know what I mean. He mostly wanted to be alone in his room. That is where he was his happiest, lining up his matchbox cars in rows or playing with legos or drawing. A family therapist was visiting the school age services program we had him in over the summer (we were stationed overseas at the time) and she observed for a few weeks. She is the one that mentioned she thought he had Aspergers. I had never heard of it before that so I started researching it. Oh my goodness was that an "Ahh ha!" moment.

My husband was deployed at the time for the second time. I requested the school evaluate him since he was due for his triannual eval anyway. Of course they tried to say he was fine "as long as he has his medicine". Yeah, they actually said that. We were coming back to the states anyway so I waited. I didn't really care about the dx except in regard to getting him the services that he needed. They tried to say he didn't need any services as long as he took his medicine.

Once we got here to TN I had him reevaluated privately and the dr we saw had been treating AS kids for over 30 years and he said clearly my son has Aspergers. But by then he was 10 and in 5th grade. He had school based therapy for social skills, he was on medication that worked and he was doing fine for a change.

Then he started middle school and the district didn't renew the contract with the agency that was providing the school based therapy and all his anxiety and sensory issues resurfaced and got worse. He started having more and more behavior issues and at the end of sixth grade I found out that most of his teachers didn't even know he has AS so they obviously werent' following the IEP!

Anyway we are doing ok for right now after several months of hell we just went through again. Just taking it one day at a time right now. What more can you do? Sometimes I look back and get so angry that I didn't push more. That I should have done more research when I knew the dx didn't really fit. I feel I could have done more. You know, the should have, could have, would have senario. The guilt and regret makes me cry myself to sleep sometimes. But I too over the years have been in therapy to help me cope and it has done wonders for me, along with an antidepressant. ne>With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.>Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what

your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.>>What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.>What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.>I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group

of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.>I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.>

March 5, 2011

My daughter has AS and she has dysthemia mood disorder, meaning

she is chronically easily tipped into an irritable mood and

in that mood she can get aggressive and have rage like someone

with Bipolar. She really does not have the same

issues as BP though. She is irritable but never manic. She never

swings from one mood to the next, she is either in a pleasant

mood, compulsive interest or irritable/aggressive.

Unless a child is clearly manic/depression ie jumping off buildings

I think many psychiatrist want to start children on an

antidepressant, it has the least side effects.

My daughter like many AS kids has a hard time relaxing and

falling asleep, and many BP kids and adults do too. But

once she is asleep she sleeps through the night, no bad dreams,

no confusion on aurosal like BP may have.

It is surprising that one antidepressant my daughter was not

a great metabolizer of (we did a DNA test) and she was on

somewaht normal doses but it didn't help that much.

Another she is a very good metabolizer of (from the DNA

drug sensitivity test) and she needs a very small dose

or it is too sedatiing.

If prozac does not reduce this irritable mood she has, she

will be but on next the same medications as someone with

bipolar though.

Pam

> >

> > With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

> >Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> > Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

> >relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them

because

> >I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and

being

> >in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

> >

> > What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in

different

> >stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have

> >different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

> >excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> > What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

> >children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

> >behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> > I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

> >will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be

able

> >to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

> >write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your

like

> >me, these words never sink in.

> > I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more

Ive

> >lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

> >

>

March 6, 2011

,What kind of "Therapy" did you get for yourself, along the way?

From: smacalli@...Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2011 20:37:10 -0800Subject: Re: ( ) Levels of Aspergers

Yes, my son is 14. He was diagnosed with sensory integration disorder @ 3.5 (by an Occ Therapist), ADHD @ 5 (pediatrician), anxiety - NOS @ 8 (psychologist), and was evaluated specifically for Aspergers by the school in 6th grade (at my request) which indicated he had it. I never went for an independent evaluation because we've always focused more on the symptoms and less on the diagnosis. He had one-on-one behavioral therapy from 5-8 and again for a few months @ 10. I had therapy to help me learn how to effectively parent him while adjusting to the challenges I faced with him (which brought out things about me that were super hard to deal with at times.) He had speech therapy @ 5 and was always covered at school with a 504 and then the Special Education label. He attended

several weeks of social skills camp from 11-13, most of which was based on Winner's curriculums. Me and my parents had more training when Dylan was 10 (about 6 months) to help us effectively discipline and understand him better. I can't say ENOUGH how helpful it was to get myself into therapy and parent training! It was one of the most effective use of our money. Most definitely.And on a side note, I don't believe my son has all of the things listed above. I think they were all individual interpretations of how he was acting at that age. When the school said it was likely Aspergers, it just made sense. I had done research and the things he struggled with the most - cognitive rigidity, difficulty making/keeping friends, difficulty reading social cues, sensory sensitive, and perserveration, all fit the Aspergers bill where the other diagnoses along the way just didn't, not 100%, at

least. From: susanne hansen <s_hansen34@...> Sent: Sat, March 5, 2011 9:09:40 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Levels of Aspergers

, Aren't our sons about the same age? Your son is 14 or 15 if I remember right. When did your son get dx?ne>With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it

all.>Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.>>What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.>What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.>I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child will be at risk as it is genetic, so

wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like me, these words never sink in.>I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.>

March 6, 2011

If by levels you are talking about the severity of symptoms then you are headed

in the right direction. There are some things that all asperger people have in

common. There are social interaction difficulties and communication

difficulties. They are usually average to above average in intelligence. They

usually have sensory difficulties (hugging too much and shying away both fit in

this category). My son is " sensory seeking " which is the too-huggy variety. He

is under-sensitive when it comes to tactile sensory input. He is currently

hypersensitive to certain sounds. He doesn't seem to mind the noises HE makes

but any sounds made by other people can upset him.

My daughter isn't considered to be on the autism spectrum but she has a few

traits. She is hypersensitive to almost all sensory input except for the

systems involving balance and movement. As a toddler she would fling herself

around so much she'd have bruises all the time. At one of her well visits I

mentioned that she liked to slam herself face first on to the bed and they said,

" Oooh, that explains the bruises, we were going to ask you about that. " OMG,

could that have turned into a call to child protective services?! Well, it

didn't, fortunately. She loves the feeling of spinning and swinging. But her

social skills are quite good. She makes eye contact and understands social

interactions better than I do, I think though sometimes her need to run around

and be loud bothers the parents of her friends, I think. Her friends don't seem

to mind. They're just as wild as she is IMHO. My daughter also has OCD and

anxiety which can go with asperger syndrome.

Because sensory systems are not quite right and there is a tendency toward

anxiety the anxiety often comes as a result of dysfunctional sensory input.

Which is why some kids scream if they're upset by sounds or smells or bright

lights or the flickering of florescent light bulbs.

Kids with more severe sensory issues might scream in an overwhelming situation.

Other kids with less severe issues might be able to say, " I don't like it here "

or might withdraw and then fall apart at home. My son is pretty high

functioning. He doesn't usually get too upset by overwhelming sensory things

though there are some things he'll refuse to do. Other times he copes by

flapping his hands or jumping around.

I have more asperger traits than my daughter. I don't think my social skills

are as good as they need to be. I never seem to fit in! I'm clumsy and

awkward. Being accident prone can be part of all this. I break bones running

into furniture and falling. I haven't done that in a while, though. I went to

a neurologist to get this checked out and he said it was an asperger trait and

nothing to worry about. It's not getting worse. What this appointment did for

me, though was to make me understand my own need to take my time and the ability

to say, " SLOW DOWN " to people who rush me. My husband has some asperger

tendencies but clumsiness isn't part of it. He moves and thinks fast and

becomes impatient with me. Now he knows that I can't help needing more time so

he is more patient. If he gets impatient I remind him and because a doctor said

so (he wouldn't take my word for it) he listens.

I've now lost MY train of thought, so don't feel bad if you feel you've kind of

forgotten what you were trying to say. I think it came through just fine.

Miriam

>

> With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because

I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being

in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

>

> What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in different

stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to have

different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able

to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like

me, these words never sink in.

> I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more

Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

>

March 6, 2011

S_Hansen, I agree with you about the levels of severity from mild to severe. I

personally feel the more severe Aspies could probably be diagnosed with autism

given the professional doing the assessment.

Speech seems to be the defining trait, but what does one make of the autistics

who conquer that problem, yet still carry the label of autism instead of

Aspergers?

It's all so confusing. But, I agree. There are levels of Aspergers.

>

> >With me not having a child of my own with Aspergers, but a future

Daughter-in-law, I'm still a bit new to it all.

> >Even though I don't post on every ones messages,buts only because I can't

relate to what your all going through, it doesn't mean I don't read them because

I do to try to get a better understanding and tips from your stories, and being

in this group is certainly helping me understand about marissa's condition.

> >

> >What I do want to know is like some other illnesses etc they come in

different stages and I expect Aspergers will be the same, as you all seem to

have different stories to tell, like & Carolyn say their children hug

excessively yet Marissa is the opposite she shy's from it.

> >What I'm trying to get at is what are the common stages and what do your

children mainly all have in common,and what were the tell tale signs, I know

behavioural issues may have triggered your concerns off firstly.

> >I know eventually when they get married and start a family that their child

will be at risk as it is genetic, so wanting to be a good Nana I want to be able

to understand fully, and where better to ask than a group of mums, who will

write it down in mummy words rather than text book words, because if your like

me, these words never sink in.

> >I hope you all understand my message, because the more Ive written the more

Ive lost myself on the meaning of the message lol.

> >

>

March 6, 2011

Talk therapy and behavior training for parenting. Both were extremely helpful.Sent from my iPhoneOn Mar 6, 2011, at 8:00 AM, Kaye <sueqkaye@...> wrote: