Concerned for my son

[Guest guest]

I am the mother of a nine-year-old boy. He hasn't yet been diagnosed with AS.

I'm requesting that he be evaluated after the winter break. I as I'm sure many

of you have known something was not right for a long time-- at least since

kindergarten. I always wrote off his odd behavior as him just being " quirky " .

Right now things are not bad. My son does well in school both academically and

socially. He doesn't have any close friends, but he gets along well with almost

everyone. My concerns are first, that as he gets older things will change. He's

in the third grade now he does sometimes behave in a way that is age

inappropriate. His peers which are kids he's been with since kindergarten are

starting to notice that he's different and some of them have been unkind. He

doesn't get when people are mean to him. He's always been totally defenseless in

these situations. Even my other son who is only six has pulled me aside to tell

me that he thinks his big brother is wierd. The whole thing makes me very sad.

As a mother I want my son to grow up and be happy, but last night I was in

tears, because I'm thinking now that this may not be possible.

I'm also afraid that I might lose my son. Even though his behavior can

sometimes be over the top, my son is basically a very likeable charismatic kid.

People are drawn to him. I've read that sometimes as they get closer to

adolesence, that AS kids personalities can change drastically. I don't want to

lose who he is. I don't want him to lose himself.

Is there someone out there with a story that has a happy ending. This whole

thing is making me very sad. My son is such a wonderful, friendly, outgoing

child. Ijust want to know he'll be ok.