I have a son whom I believe is affected with Aspergers. He is currently undergoing testing to make sure of his condition. Although he is very bright. Has terrible time trying to make friends.
Does anyone have any experience with this, and how can I make life easier for my sweet son? he is 9 years old. Thank you
2007-01-14 05:50:17 · 5 answers · asked by scottsherriand 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
As I don't know your son personally, I can't give specific suggestions, but the following resources may help. Just keep being supportive of your son, encourage his strengths, gifts, and interests, and enjoy his unique personality! :)
Websites:
"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism,0,6196233.story
Website of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html
Positively Autism (free online magazine, includes free resources/activities) - http://www.positivelyautism.com
Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html
"The Discovery of "Aspie" Criteria" ~ What if Asperger’s Syndrome was defined by its strengths? - http://www.thegraycenter.org/sectionsdetails.cfm?id=38
Books:
"Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport
"You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Students With Autism in the Inclusive Classroom" By Paula Kluth
"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" By Paul Collins
Any book by Temple Grandin
2007-01-15 03:11:52 · answer #1 · answered by special-education-teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a great thing that your getting your son tested, I have a very close friend that has this condition and it can be tough. I am only 18 you see but I understand that this can be a hard thing for a parent to go through. Your son may be into a few things majorly such as my friend is into cartoons and scifi and he is 24, this is his favorites. Your son might also have trouble in social situations as people with Aspergers have trouble reading facials and body positions. Allow your son to grow but keep an eye on him, let him know he isn't the only one with this condition and that there are people out there who understand. If he is diagnosed talk to him, let him know what is going on and try to be understanding of his needs. Blessings to you and your family.
2007-01-14 06:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by gothica2007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Scott,
I'm not a doctor and I don't have tons of solutions for you, but I have lived with a person who had asperger for about 3 years.
It wasn't always easy. He was very cynical, impatient and incapable of understanding other people's feelings. By example, he always got angry with me if I cried.
He was highly intelligent too. At nine, he helped his 11y/o sister with her homework.
In the whole, he functioned quite well in society. Nobody could tell there was something wrong....
Rick's biggest problem was that he didn't have anybody to rely on. No family whatsoever...
Your son seems to have a loving family. That's the most important thing, I think. Just be there for him, talk to him.
Remember that he can do perfectly well, so don't treat him like there's something terribly wrong with him. It will only make him feel more different and more isolated.
Another important thing is to be very clear. Don't say one thing, and mean another. He can't read your mind. Nobody can, really.
Try not to put too much pressure on him for making friends and all that.
Asperger is one of the mildest forms of autism. Explain to him what it is and what it does to him.
Just be there for him. I'm sure he'll find his way.
Good luck!
2007-01-14 08:24:34 · answer #3 · answered by Lene H 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My son is dx'ed with Asperger's.
Here are some links to related websites and also his Pyschiatrist recommended the book by Teresa Bolick Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens & Teens Get Ready for the Real World.
http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/
http://aspergersyndrome.org/
http://faaas.org/
http://aspergers.com/
http://asperger.org/
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer
http://www.wrongplanet.net/
http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/as_thru_years.html
http://www.soulselfhelp.on.ca/autismlinks.html
2007-01-14 08:25:48 · answer #4 · answered by Jess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for having your son tested! I am a speech-language pathologist and I work with children with various disabilities ranging from mild to severe. I have worked with many children over the year who are affected by Asperger's and autism and the characteristics you describe are typical of children with Asperger's. The kids do tend to be very bright and have social difficulties. Having never met your son I can't make a diagnosis (it's a medical diagnosis anyway, so I could only speculate), but children with Asperger's often benefit from counseling and speech-language therapy. A qualified speech-language pathologist should be able to help with social interactions and how to interact appropriately with peers. Is your son in public school? If he does get a diagnosis from a qualified medical professional, the public school your son attends is obligated to provide him with the services he requires. You can find out more about this from your son's psychiatrist/psychologist (whoever is testing him and giving a diagnosis). Look into IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) which provide appropriate and necessary services for children with disabilities. It is a federal law to provide IEPs for students with disabilities. Also check into some information from the Autism Society of America. It's a good organization with lots of helpful professionals, parents, and information. Please remember that an IEP is "individualized," which means that the document should pertain ONLY to your child. Although you may find some good tips regarding goals and objectives, services, etc. on websites, everything should be tailored to fit YOUR child's needs. The professionals at his school know the disorder best and you know your son best. You will work with the school as a team to decide what services (if any) are necessary and appropriate for your son, how these services are delivered (e.g., in class, in pull out sessions, individually, in a group, twice a week, daily, etc.), and what goals and objectives are most appropriate for him. No one person should decide what is best for any student. It is a TEAM that works best for each child.
Good luck to you and your son!
Aloha :)
2007-01-14 06:09:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋