[mistymama]

Hi everyone, coming here for support and to learn how to help ds the very best way I can.

He's 6, in public kindy and going through total testing right now - they believe he has Aspergers.

He was in early intervention from 14mos-3years because of speech delay and behaviors such as head banging, etc. He greatly improved once he started speaking at age 3 and while he still walked on his tip toes and wouldn't eat .. we thought he was just sooo much better.

Well now that we are in public kindy, his issues have really come into play. He's off the charts with his reading and math ability - but can't focus or do the simpliest of tasks. He is very outgoing, but very socially awkward and also prone to big meltdowns. His sensory issues are also a big problem in the classroom, things like everyone's scissors are so loud they distract him - the list goes on and on.

I'm excited to get the testing going, they promise to be done by the end of the school year, so about 6 weeks. We are also on the waiting list for Sparks Clinic, which is a wonderful autism clinic that does extremely thorough testing - but we are on the waiting list which is 9-12 months long.

I'm going to be reading, posting and lurking here to learn more and get more info. Wanted to say hi to everyone before I start jumping in.

 

[2boyzmama]

My son has completely different issues (except the speech delay...but we use ASL, so while he's almost completely non-verbal, it doesn't really seem like it, you know?) But, WELCOME! There are lots of aspie moms/dads here with loads of knowledge.

 

[sbgrace]

Welcome to the special needs board!
My five year old is on the spectrum. His dx. is PDD-NOS.
Are you doing ok with it? Sometimes the official diagnosing process can be hard for parents emotionally. It was for me.

He sounds like he is really struggling and that has to be hard for you to see. Can you do OT for sensory issues? It's no wonder he's so distracted if the environment is painful to him.

 

[mistymama]

Thanks for asking Rachelle .. I've known for a long time something was "off" .. I guess in a way I was hoping it was just his sensory issues and he would outgrow it. That's obviously NOT going to happen and while I feel relieved that we are going to be able to get the OT, etc that he so needs .. I'm also a bit sad. Just sad for him, that he has to deal with this for the rest of his life. Sad that he feels left out at school. Sad that I can't just "fix" this for him, kwim? I've been researching and printing info for my dh to read about Aspergers, and found myself tearing up at my desk. I'm ok, it just hurts to see your child struggle.

He needs OT so badly, I know how much it will help him. We cant really afford private therapy, but the school is on board with getting it in place asap once the testing is done. Not sure how that works over the summer, but for sure next year.

I feel like I have so much to learn .. thanks for the welcome Mamas.

 

[sbgrace]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymama Thanks for asking Rachelle .. I've known for a long time something was "off" .. I guess in a way I was hoping it was just his sensory issues and he would outgrow it. That's obviously NOT going to happen and while I feel relieved that we are going to be able to get the OT, etc that he so needs .. I'm also a bit sad. Just sad for him, that he has to deal with this for the rest of his life. Sad that he feels left out at school. Sad that I can't just "fix" this for him, kwim? I've been researching and printing info for my dh to read about Aspergers, and found myself tearing up at my desk. I'm ok, it just hurts to see your child struggle.

I do know what you mean. It's hardest at first or at least so far that has been true for me.

Have you looked into any books about sensory integration? There are some good ones out there. I've not found anything really good for sound sensitivity in them but I've not read them all. We used to use ear plugs with my sound sensitive guy. I'm not sure how that would work in the classroom but clearly he's uncomfortable.

 

[williamsmommy2002]

Welcome to the sn board. Both of my boys are on the spectrum. Both are dx'ed with PDD-NOS. The little guy is starting kindergarten in the fall and we hope to be able to mainstream him without too many issues. We are a bit concerned though about a few things. One of the things is his sound sensitivity.

 

[Kerriemoe]

Welcome, and hugs!

For dealing with the sensory stuff, I liked "Raising a Sensory Smart Child."

And also, as you're going through this, just remember that he is still the same little boy he was before someone told you they thought he might be on the spectrum. It doesn't change anything about him but the services that may become available to help him.

Somedays that may feel like little consolation, but just try to keep it in mind, it does help.

 

[pixiekisses]

Welcome to the SN board.

 

[heatherdeg]

Welcome...

Mine was in EI from 11mo-3yo but for more severe stuff than what yours sounds like. He had 14 hours/week (authorized for 20, I think). By the time we hit 3yo, we were all burnt out.

Honestly, I thought he wouldn't qualify for his dx this year but after reading your intro--I may really just be fooling myself again (because I thought this once before

). Mine is also PDD-NOS but he's 5yo.

I know you feel like you have a lot to learn, but you really do have some foundation to build on from your EI experience. I'm sure it doesn't seem like much at the moment; but you'll be able to manage your son's treatment going forward without the same kind of learning curve as a parent who hasn't been through it yet... kwim?

Hugs to you. I hope they give him what he needs. And I hope that you find your footing.

 

[HarperRose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymama I'm also a bit sad. Just sad for him, that he has to deal with this for the rest of his life. Sad that he feels left out at school. Sad that I can't just "fix" this for him, kwim? I've been researching and printing info for my dh to read about Aspergers, and found myself tearing up at my desk. I'm ok, it just hurts to see your child struggle.

Boy, do I know that feeling.

For me, I also know it on a personal, BTDT level. I was always the outsider, the weird one. I'm self-dx'd w/ Asperger's. I have such a craving, such a desire, to be involved, to be part of the crowd, but I feel woefully out of place even when I'm involved w/ the group. I go home and just retreat and hide. It takes me a few days to come down from that.

I see my ds1 struggle, like I did, and yet not. He seems more social in some aspects, but more immature in others.

There's a saying: When you've met one Aspie, you've met one Aspie.

We're all on different parts of the spectrum.

You might do a search for ShaggyDaddy -- he's on here pretty frequently and has AS (he & his wife just welcomed twins

: so they're probably a little busy these days!) and Individuation and one other poster who, I think, goes by Brigianna. They all have AS, as do SEVERAL others here.

Welcome.

You are not alone and neither is your son.

 

[mistymama]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

 

[christinelin]

Welcome! My DS is almost 6 and also has Aspergers. The first couple of months were terribly difficult for me, but now we are sort of settled into this life. My friend says it's just like a new normal.

Glad you found us!

 

[StephandOwen]

I "know" you from other boards on here but wanted to say Welcome to our special little haven here!

Might I suggest The Out of Sync Child? I really like this book, it explained a lot about the sensory stuff. Also I like The Out of Sync Child Has Fun. It has a LOT of different sensory ideas, which could really help through the summer and until you have an OT in place giving you ideas.

 

[JessSC]

Welcome

My son has autism, but I've often wondered if an Asperger's diagnosis might fit him better.