Re: adult 22 yr old son we believe has had mild Aspergers for quite a while...

[Guest guest]

I am 37 years and have been diagnosed recently as " mild " (females are less

obvious, plus I found ways to compensate) when my 7 year old son was officially

diagnosed recently. I first learnt about Aspergers 2 years ago, and knew that's

what we had. Diet helped us a lot and therefore made diagnosis difficult.

I had major clinical depression and anxiety, I think partly from the AS and

mainly from my food sensitivities (eg gluten), which were also untreated for

years.

Miranda

>

> Our son has had symptoms diagnosed as anxiety and depression aversion but fit

Asperger's the best for quite awhile. - significantly for 5 year as and he is

really disabled as far as most social interactions and working is an issue as he

cannot get to an interview or complete one it seems. Anyone else have such a

late diagnosis/recognition? and if so how did you and do we help him to cope and

get resources to help him? the Psychiatrist and Psychologist we have him seeing

have not agreed 100% with the diagnosis but everything we read fits and the

answer we got was: " if it is it is a mild case " HELP!

>

> concerned Dad Mark in MD

>

[Guest guest]

how did you know you were sensitive to gluten? were there any tell-tale signs? they tested my son as a baby--the only thing he was allergic to was soy and grass weed, and latex.

I'm curious to know what the signs are--it's very interesting to me to learn new things

Purrs & Kisses,

Kristal of Digi Kitty

The Kitty who loves Digi!

Designer for the VDBC "More" Team - you can see my designs HERE!!!

From: miranda.flemming <miranda.flemming@...>Subject: ( ) Re: "adult" 22 yr old son we believe has had mild Aspergers for quite a while... Date: Thursday, June 3, 2010, 9:18 PM

I am 37 years and have been diagnosed recently as "mild" (females are less obvious, plus I found ways to compensate) when my 7 year old son was officially diagnosed recently. I first learnt about Aspergers 2 years ago, and knew that's what we had. Diet helped us a lot and therefore made diagnosis difficult.I had major clinical depression and anxiety, I think partly from the AS and mainly from my food sensitivities (eg gluten), which were also untreated for years.Miranda>> Our son has had symptoms diagnosed as anxiety and depression aversion but fit Asperger's the best for quite awhile. - significantly for 5 year as and he is really disabled as far as most social

interactions and working is an issue as he cannot get to an interview or complete one it seems. Anyone else have such a late diagnosis/recognition? and if so how did you and do we help him to cope and get resources to help him? the Psychiatrist and Psychologist we have him seeing have not agreed 100% with the diagnosis but everything we read fits and the answer we got was:"if it is it is a mild case" HELP!> > concerned Dad Mark in MD>

[Guest guest]

For me it started with anxiety and depression (that the medical profession

couldn't fix), easy bruising, migraines, then progressed to gut issues, pain

disorder (sore joints, muscles, bones) and then a thyroid disorder (cysts,

antibodies attacking my thyroid) and collapsing all the time. Had symptoms for

approx 20 years. Doctors all those years never even considered celiac - it was

me that finally worked it out and asked for tests. Even 1 crumb of gluten

causes very low blood pressure, anxiety, gut problems, pain etc.

Miranda

> >

> > Our son has had symptoms diagnosed as anxiety and depression aversion but

fit Asperger's the best for quite awhile. - significantly for 5 year as and he

is really disabled as far as most social interactions and working is an issue as

he cannot get to an interview or complete one it seems. Anyone else have such a

late diagnosis/recognition? and if so how did you and do we help him to cope and

get resources to help him? the Psychiatrist and Psychologist we have him seeing

have not agreed 100% with the diagnosis but everything we read fits and the

answer we got was: " if it is it is a mild case " HELP!

> >

> > concerned Dad Mark in MD

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I think first and foremost a child/adult has to be emotionally stable.

If there is anxiety or depression to have it treated. Otherwise

it is really hard to make progress. Many AS kids and adults

are very ridgid locked in thinkers. This trait makes it very

hard to make progress with cognitive therapy alone. Once anxiety/

depression then some decisions need to be made what behaviors

or social skills need to be addressed. I think people will

accept someone quirky or little professor but most people

will not overlook outbursts or extreme self stimulation

such as swirling/standing in corners. Self absorbed behaviors

are a way to cope with anxiety. Again make sure anxiety is under

control. Most AS people/kids are very sensitive so you

can't use high doses of medications. Low doses of SRIs like

zoloft often help in many AS kids/adults.

If the primary problem is anxiety and avoidance than using

a combination of rehearsing feared activities (until it is calm to rehearse it)

and then slow gradual exposure seems to work with

very avoidant types.

In teaching social skills I can see two types of approaches

one is a very direct instruction on manners, reading social

cues, explaining how others think, conversation skills etc.

Michele Winner has a website and writes and has DVDs

on teaching social skills to AS kids. Another

is geared to children and that is floortime (Dr. Stanley Greenspan) where

parents work on joining in on special interests to

increase engagement and reciprocal conversations.

Many AS kids adults are experts of knowledge on social

rules but they don't put them to use they stay fixated

on their special interests. If that is the case

than again a slow steady process of gradual decrease

of retreating and increasing in engagement activities

(volunteer somewhere, help parents etc).

You may find some resources in your community but I know

in NJ at least there is few services after the age of 21.

I have heard people talk and write about private

schools and services that are transitional services

for young adults on the east coast (CT, Boston). I don't

remember the names of the places. If this is too far or

too costly I would look for a therapist that has groups

for people with social anxiety. This would perhaps help

practice socializing. Many people with social anxiety

can be very impaired too. This kind of a special therapist

would understand the obstacles involved somewhat. People

will accept clumsy social skills, narrow interests if people show up and do

their work and do not say inappropriate sexual/private things. Overcoming

anxiety and ridgid/resistance to change is the biggest

obstacle in many AS situations.

Pam

>

> Our son has had symptoms diagnosed as anxiety and depression aversion but fit

Asperger's the best for quite awhile. - significantly for 5 year as and he is

really disabled as far as most social interactions and working is an issue as he

cannot get to an interview or complete one it seems. Anyone else have such a

late diagnosis/recognition? and if so how did you and do we help him to cope and

get resources to help him? the Psychiatrist and Psychologist we have him seeing

have not agreed 100% with the diagnosis but everything we read fits and the

answer we got was: " if it is it is a mild case " HELP!

>

> concerned Dad Mark in MD

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark,

Our son has a mild case of Aspergers. One thing that our psych recommended to us is to have social classes with peers of the same age. I realize your son is older, but when I looked at the classes here at our local CARD (Center for Austic Resources & Development), they had adult classes too, and classes such as interviews, workplace behaviors, etc.

Try to see if you have a local center that offer those classes as well. If not, ask some local psych--many of them have their own classes that meet on weekends with peers of same age and teach those required adult skills.

I read in Temple Grandin's book, that she had a portfolio of her work (accomplishments, evals, etc) that she would take with her to an interview, so they could SEE what she could do, and not focus on her mannerisms. She said also that it was better for her to communicate FIRST thru internet or telephone with a prospective employer then meet in person.

One piece of advice, is to tell your son to be quiet during an interview, and only answer the questions they ask briefly--not long winded answers (this was my problem). To also make eye contact when answering the question and not to bounce his leg or tap his fingers, etc. If he can try that and get in and out of that interview, he will have a shot.

I can tell you though, the economy is REALLY bad right now. It may not all be him. 50% of the time, they already know who they will hire, or there are 100+plus people for an interview. I went to an interview the other day and they had 400 people who had applied for the teaching job. Plus she told me as soon as I sat down, I've already hired someone for this job, but I have to interview so many people. I have taught for 9 years, have a Masters degree, but still no luck returning to the SAME county as I taught in 9 years ago, after taking a medical leave for my son's heart surgery. So rest assured it may not all be him.

Keep us posted, I'd love to know how he does.

>> Our son has had symptoms diagnosed as anxiety and depression aversion but fit Asperger's the best for quite awhile. - significantly for 5 year as and he is really disabled as far as most social interactions and working is an issue as he cannot get to an interview or complete one it seems. Anyone else have such a late diagnosis/recognition? and if so how did you and do we help him to cope and get resources to help him? the Psychiatrist and Psychologist we have him seeing have not agreed 100% with the diagnosis but everything we read fits and the answer we got was:"if it is it is a mild case"

HELP!> > concerned Dad Mark in MD>