Who knows your child has Aspergers?

[Guest guest]

We have a 9 year old boy who was dx with Aspergers when he was 5. My family and

close friends, and of course teachers know because of his IEP, but what about

neighbors? Although I don't feel the need to hide the fact, my husband is very

wary of telling other people because they don't want Jack to be treated as " the

different kid " . Yet, when it comes to neighborhood get-togethers, and Jack

plays with other children, it is painfully obvious that he is different.

I wonder if telling people he has Aspergers would even mean anything to people

outside of this community. For the layperson, if you say " Autism " , you get an

ohhh and a nod of recognition. Same with cancer, ADHD, etc. Yet, I don't think

that Aspergers is a household word yet, so then I'd have to try to briefly

explain it. I hope for understanding from other parents, so they can tell their

kids to be a bit more sensitive, but maybe this is in vain. Jack's been called

a " wierdo " by kids in our old neighborhood. Kids pick up on differences and

exploit them. It's like Lord of the Flies!

Also, we have not told Jack that he has Aspergers. (His 11 year old brother was

just told so he would stop the loud sudden noises and to be mindful of other

sensory Jack has). Should we tell him? Or would that make him feel more

isolated? He is just now making friends with classmates, but it's still new and

tentative for him. He has really struggled with being in a new school, wanting

desperately to make friends and yet not knowing how, or picking up cues from

other kids that they do in fact want to play with him. I fear making that

situation worse.

Thoughts?

Laurel