OK, I have a 7year old son who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome last year and we are having some issues that I’m not sure how to handle. Around the end of August he started to freak out if I got out of the car to pump gas or leave the house to go next door and then it progressed into him freaking out if I left the house (unless it was for me to go to work) and then it progressed to school and recently he started when I leave even to go to work. I know that it's somewhat normal in younger children but I am stressed out. I have to literally drag him out of the car and into his classroom and sneak out of the house if I have to go to work.
I don't think it's an issue with bullying at school otherwise I think it would just be a "school thing" and the rest of the time would be OK. His doctor has been no help and we're working with the school and a psychologist with him but nothing is getting any better. Anyone have any advice? Suggestions? Information?
2007-10-31 05:42:17 · 10 answers · asked by AZmomm43 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
His communication skills aren't that great because of his AS and we've talked to him about it and his standard answer is "I just can't do it" or "I don't know that's just what my body is telling me"
2007-10-31 05:54:02 · update #1
My step son was diagnosed with Asperger's at 6 as well. We went through the IEP process where he learned some basic coping skills and communication skills as well. All I can really tell you is to be patient. He's now 10 and in the gifted program at school. Don't get me wrong; he still has issues, but it took a year and a half for him to get through the speech therapy and 2 years to complete his IEP. He's now caught up to his class in social skills.
He, like your son, had separation anxiety. It helped him to have a watch. We told him the exact time we would be there to pick him up from school or daycare. When we went shopping, we told him how long we would be in the store. To help with the separation issues, we started with giving him toys to play with or games to play while we were there. As he got focussed on the toys or games, we would move to another room. It took a long time, but after a year, he realized that we weren't leaving him.
2007-10-31 06:03:28 · answer #1 · answered by Allison P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can greatly sympathize with you. I am the caregiver of a 9 year who has Asperger's, ADHD, and OCD. You will find that Asperger children will have more than one problem as time goes by. We take him to a psychiatrist and group therapy to help us to overcome the problems we encounter on a day to day basis with him. He is aggressive and will do things to hurt his brother and other children. He has a very short temper, and it is set off when any change is introduced in his routine. We have found out this is a big issue of individuals who have Asperger's. They will resist any change to their daily routine as it is something he cannot control and is frightening to him. Any thing you can do to control your situation with going next door and leaving him to leaving him in the car to pump gas should be stopped no matter how difficult it is for you. If he isn't stressed at home over the being left alone, it could help the other issue about being left at school. His not being able to communicate the way most individuals are able to only makes this harder for him to cope. The one thing you will need to understand is, he didn't choose to be this way. He will always have Asperger's, and this will be something you will more than likely have to deal with the rest of yours and his life. Also see if you can find a support group in your area to help you deal with this. You will find that your son will be lonely, and it will be extrememly hard for him to socialize and to make friends.
2007-10-31 05:54:43 · answer #2 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps for this specific problem you can focus on this as a problem with anxiety rather than the AS. My neice had a number of anxiety issues at 7. She was encouraged to have a transitional object to hold/ focus on when she was anxious. Also, they taught her very simple relaxation techniques like guided imagery. when she was anxious she would close her eyes for a minute and picture herself in a safe spot and focus on all the sensations of being there. Or she would close her eyes for a minute and focus on releasing the tension of all her muscles in turn. First they practised this in low stress situations. This helped a lot, although she eventually needed anxiety medication and is now doing much better.
Anyways, a practical thing that might be worth a shot. Best of luck to you and to him.
2007-10-31 06:07:31 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you leave the house to go to the work try telling him that you your self will be ok and that you will call him every couple hours just so he knows your ok .
WHen he gos to school see if its ok with his teacher to stay for a couple minuts maybe 15 -20 mintus just to see that every thing is going ok ,
WHen you go to the nighbors take him with you . Its almost as if that is your guys special time together , if you want to think of it that way.
ALso have you tryed asking your phsoclogist to put him on a mild dose of medication for his anxioty it will come the anxioty but he will still have a small edge to him self .
Hope this helps
2007-10-31 13:58:45 · answer #4 · answered by Roxy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am single mum. I have been suffering for panic attacks for some 15 years now, though it was not until recently I understood what they were. They were progressively getting stronger and more frequent, stopping me from some days even leaving my house. I read this book and it all made perfect sense.
I am not saying I was not terrified of putting theory to action, I was more scared of that than the next attack! But I decided to view it as a game, one I had control of and could therefore not lose!
2016-05-17 08:33:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is quite common in infants when they cant see someone anymore they assume that person will not return. The best way to deal with this situation is really to talk to him- what is he scared of? That you will forget him or leave him? You need to get to the root of the problem first. Then you can come up with a comfort plan to help him..such as, maybe give him a picture of you and everytime he gets upset to look at it and perhaps that will soothe him?
2007-10-31 05:48:06 · answer #6 · answered by RubiaBonita 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You really need to take him to a specialist in your area. You may also want to join a support group. Check out this link and see if it has any answers for you...
www.aspergers.org
2007-10-31 06:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have found that giving your child something of yours makes it easier... (example) "here son, hold my keys for me until I come back". He holds your keys knowing that you will be back to get them because you really need them.... Mommy's not leaving me forever because I have her keys.
It reassures them that you're coming back for your things as well as gives them peace of mind...
I've tried this several times in my daycare with toddlers who cannot separate. It sounds silly , but it just may work.
2007-10-31 07:29:24 · answer #8 · answered by Kristal & Robert 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to get him into see a specialist for this condition. and some counseling.
for the whole family . past this i am not sure how to help as i have never dealt with any form of autism but good luck i hope it gets better
2007-10-31 05:53:33 · answer #9 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
he is not playing up. he is uneducated. when he grows up he will know not to be frighted of a gas pump even through he has anixerty , he will be ok but maybe scared of new worries and problems like birds flying over his head sience he is taller maybe he just has a lot of phobias ??????
2007-10-31 05:46:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋