Does my son have Aspergers?

Question

My son just turned 5 years old this past January. He flaps his arms throughout the day. It was normally when watching tv but now it is even when he receives a positive answer to a question he asks. (As well as standing on his tippy toes) Between anything he is doing he takes short breaks (about 1/2 minute) in between to skip sideways back and forth in the room on his tippy toes.. as well as a very faint grunts during this. Nathaniel is EXTREMELY smart. I taught him to write letters and he learned the whole alphabet that week, to perfection. Although, he does not know how to yet read or spell out words he does spell the family's names. His recent thing is now spelling them backwards after the right way off the top of his head which I even have trouble doing. He is 100% over the chart for both growth and weight(slim fit though) and although was delayed and unosocial as a child he no longer is. I have an appointment May 3rd but would love any input :) Thank YOU!-*Pedi. was never concerned

Answer 1

Flapping the hands/arms is only one symptom of Asperger's Syndrome.
Here are others:
Does he scream instead of talk?
If he talks, is it at the top of his lungs?
Is he extremely frustrated when trying to say things and can't? Does he fly into rages and have "melt-downs" when he's presented with multiple choice situations?
Does he have to have "black/white" or "yes/no" type questions?
Does he look you in the eye when he talks to you or do you have to gently direct his face so you can make eye contact?
Is he a very picky eater?
Does he absolutely require a strict regimine, with no changes in his routine/environment?
Do changes of any kind completly frustrate him?
Are his people skills almost non-existent?

My nephew was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and exhibited all those symptoms, plus a few more. He too is extremely intelligent. It is a full time job for my sister, who spends a lot of her time at school mediating his melt downs and helping him cope. She is fortunate in that her son's school district is forced to provide for such special needs children, and generally does a very good job at it.

Many pediatricians are not trained to recognize the signs of Asperger's, or excuse them as childish behavior. However, Asperger's is now a trendy kind of diagnosis, like ADD and ADHD. Be sure your child's physician is very careful in his diagnosis and doesn't just slap on the Asperger's name because he's not certain. Remember that Asperger's is classified as a lesser degree of Autism. It's a serious label.

Answer 2

It may just be a tic disorder or OCD. My son has Aspergers and it is much more than just arm flapping and skipping. One major indicator is an unnatural interest in a specific subject. Could be maps, trains, superheroes (as in my sons case), or anything else, but the subject would probably take over his life to some extent. Another thing is that there can never have been a speech delay. If there was, he won't even be considered for Asperger's. Asperger's is a very complex condition with many indicators. The links below are good sources of information. Good luck.

Answer 3

this sounds more Autism than Aspergers (especially the flapping, this I have seen in kids with Autism not Aspergers). The best place to get an answer is a paediatrician that deals in Autism. As Aspergers is in the spectrum of Autism than can figure out which. Good luck

Answer 4

Hmmm... It does sound like classic symptoms of Aspergers.
I worked with many autistic kids when I was getting my degree in Psychology. There are some very inspiring stories out there...many of them are geniuses. (Savants).

Being anti-social is normal for this situation.

I'm surprised your Pediatrician didn't recognize this earlier. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion, and make sure you interview the doctor before. You need to know if they've dealt with this before.

Good luck to you...and it's good to see questions out there like this. There are many parents going through this that might not realize that this is something their child cannot control.

Answer 5

Ohhdear raised some valid points, but just remember this: only your doctor can diagnose Asperger's. Autism has a very wide spectrum with different categories of behavior, and it is diagnosed when at least six behaviors are noted from at least three different categories. It is a serious label, but children can cope better and learn strategies to relate to other people with intensive therapy.

Answer 6

Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder. This means that it is a disorder that results from abnormalities in the brain.
Asperger affect areas of the brain that are responsible for a person's ability to function as a social being in the world.

Scientists agree that people with AS usually share the following set of characteristics, vary from person to person.
*They have significant difficulties interacting with other people.
*They are often unusual interests that they pursue with an inordinate amount of intensity.
*They either overreact or underreact to things affecting the senses.
*They tend to think in concrete and literal terms and have difficulty understanding nuances and double meanings.
*They have a marked lack of common sense.

People with AS look alike like other people. They usually have remarkable memories and often very good at activities that required logical thinking, like doing puzzles
or working with computers. Most people with AS are intelligent, sometimes very intelligent, and sometimes brilliant. At school they often excel in most of their subjects
especially math, science, and music. In addition to being good students, they're usually well behaved.

A Few Lessons for School
Children with AS should learn how to do the following.

Use nonverbal communication to express emotions
Identify nonverbal communication in others
Follow the basic social dos and don'ts
Make and keep friends
Identify sarcasm and distinguish good-nature teasing from bullying
Respond to social questions

Did you know that some suggest that Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton might have AS?.

Answer 7

If Pedi. was never concerned, then I don't think you should have any worries. He sounds like a very rambunctious boy and extremely smart. Sounds like you are doing a great job. Good luck on your appt.

Answer 8

It seems to me he just has a lot of energy to burn.