Learning problem/asperger syndrome help. Kinda long, please read details?

Question

I am in 8th grade and was labled above average intellegence
I have asperger syndrome and am homeschooled. I have a problem grasping new math/grammer concepts, and once i have them it takes alot for me to remember them.
For history and science: I have a horrible time in these subjects. I cant remember the dates or names.
I have horrible organizational skills and i avoid schoolwork because it is so hard for me. I am also a perfectionist when it comes to writing (i love to write storys but mostly type them)

(i ran out of room, please read below)

Until i was homeschooled, i was sick all of the time (do to severe allergy /hyperrsensitivity to smells/perfumes) so i mostly did my work at home and i was so panicked i woould get a bad grade right before a test i would "cram" and forget most of it lator. i was on the "all "A's" all year" honor role. And a social worker/test advisor gave me an iq test in 5th grade, i had 112 IQ with 11th grade level reading. I love reading (only fiction ie. harry potter) and am great at vocabulary and spelling/ comprehention.
I also dont really like staying with the same thing, i getboerd if it stays the same (same algebra book ect) but we only have one curriculum and thats all we can afford until 9th grade when i will be doing online, ischool

What do you think would help me? Is this a learning disorder or just my asperger?

I have alot of other symptoms (anxiety disorder, social problems ect) a neuralogical specialist (the best my pediatrician could find within the state) diagnosed me with Asperger 4 or 5 years ago and i had a re-evaluation 2 years ago

Answer 1

Hi sweetie...

I work with a young man with aspergers sydrome... so, I have a few suggestions for you.

1. For math - You would do well to learn how to take really, good...organized notes. You may need a teacher to help you with this in the beginning. For math... when a new concept is taught... write on the top of the page, what type of problem you are learning about...then number the steps of the example problems. Write out what was done in each step. When you approach a new problem, go back to that example and use your notes to help guide you to remember each step. Part of the problem in Aspergers is the ability to remember the sequencing of the steps. I imagine you are pretty good at calculations... the actual arithmetic, but have troubles with the order and proper application of the steps.

2. You need to practice new problems, or review problems properly. Show your teacher how you are solving the problems. Have your teacher point out where you are specifically making the wrong steps. Write those down so you know exactly where your trouble spots are...

I have my students show me how they do the problems...and I can see what part of the problem they are messing up on...

One thing my students hate the most, is to do a whole pages of problems...then have me come back to them later... and say, you got all the wrong answers because of one things they keep doing wrong over and over. It is too frustrating. I have them sit down with me, and I walk them through the steps. Then show me how they do it... then give them a couple of times to practice it properly... then I let them go to it with their homework. It is a type of "rehearsal" of the steps. Like you would rehearse a play or speech.

3. For history and science...if you talk to your teachers about having them help you with your notes... that would be helpful. Let them know you have troubles keeping things organized, and have them check your notebook for you to ensure you have what you need, and know what to study.

If you are on an IEP (individual education plan) you can ask your special ed teacher and your regular ed teachers give you extra assistance note taking. They can help you track your assignments and provide you with copies of notes. I have all the teachers for my student with Aspergers provide copies of the powerpoint presentations prior to the lecture. That allows him to listen to the lecture and highlight the most important points, rather than get lost in trying to take the notes by hand.

4. As far as memorizing dates/names... use flash cards, and have your mom/dad - brothers/sisters drill you. Memorization is actually sort of hard for me too... I found that typing out my notes helps me to think things through. I re-type the parts that I have the most troubles with...to get more details from the paper into my head.

The most important thing...not to avoid the work. You must be diligent and consistent with your studies. If you work hard on keeping organized, and have a good attitude about it, it will become a good and natural habit when you sit down to work and study.

I am glad you asked...and, I hope this is helpful to you.

Write to me if you are having any other troubles you need some help with, ok?

Answer 2

It does not sound to me from your description that you have classic Asperger's syndrome. Who diagnosed you? Was it a physician? More than one physician?

It does sound more like a Learning Disability problem.

In most cities you can get a consult with a LD expert who will suggest strategies you can use to improve your learning. Every day that goes by without guidance and support you will be falling further behind in your school work. Where are your parents? Are they taking care of this problem for you? Who is supervising your learning. How can you avoid schoolwork when you are homeschooled? Isn't there someone there with you to be sure that you do your work?

I am sorry that you are having a tough time, but it is up to your parents to intervene for you to get the help you need.

Good luck.

Answer 3

If you have a 112 IQ and love to read, I doubt it is a learning disability.

How do you know you have AS and when was it diagnosed? Many children/young people who are diagnosed with any of the ASD's have trouble with organizational skills and some of the other problems you have mentioned.

Without knowing you, I would suggest you see the guidance counselor, or another school personnel who knows of your AS label. Most children like you are ALLOWED and ENCOURAGED to accept and use classroom and testing accommodations and/or modifications which are rightfully and legally due to you because of your AS.

The help you are given can range from a prepared study guide, assignments written down for you so you don't forget, as well as so many more, and all specific for you.

Answer 4

I have a seventh grader with aspergers, and a lot of what you say sounds familiar, he has problems with most of those things.
Would you talk to your parents about nonverbal learning disorder? It is often comorbid with aspergers, and my son has it, which creates difficulty is some maths because of the visualization required. His organization is also bad because of the nld.
I forgot the rest of your question, but I would say that in my experience, (not only with my son but with my advocacy work) that many kids with JUST aspergers display alot of the same difficulties that you do. Some may have other disorders, like nld or ocd. Behavioral therapy with a trained psychologist has been helping, even with the organizational stuff, so please talk to your parents about seeing a professional. They know how to break down the activities into small increments that are easier to master.

Answer 5

It's not atypical of Asperger's but we people with AS vary a lot. And more than one condition can be present at a time .(co-morbidity: what a lovely cheery-sounding term!)

Learning to cope in the world, society, is going to be necessary. (It's there, it's bigger than you are, and it tends to set the rules, even if they are often irrational)
On the other hand always trying to join in and be like everyone else is not the answer. *It is OK to be different*

You are going to succeed by finding your niche, what you like to do and do well. Let those who know you give you advice, not those who assume that what suits them will suit you.
(So what are you most into, really good at?)

On perfectionism: consider it as an engineer might, where
trying to be too perfect is a waste of effort, and therefore far from perfect.
Decide how good "Good Enough" is in each case, and that should be the target.
A car in a parking space is fine. Five attempts to get it perfectly straight in the space is not perfection but lost time.

Best wishes, from a fellow Aspie.