Asperger's Syndrome -

[Margo C.]

I just read a terrific book (as with most, I wish I'd had it sooner)
It's by Temple Grandin, a famous Autistic and excellent author, about Careers for folks with Asperger's- here's a link to it on Amazon but check your local library....
http://tiny.cc/djsCV
a bit early for the little guy, but Rachel if you haven't read it it's a good time for Alex.

As for labels, I've found the upside far outweighs the downside. If anyone starts thinking/speaking negatively, just drop a few names: Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Mozart... there a bunches of unknown Aspies out there!
But the label often helps, b/c there's little else to show that my boys have a REAL disability... (no wheelchair, white cane. you know, "you look perfectly fine to me"!!) So folks might wonder why my otherwise normal-looking teens can fall into a temper tantrum. (although I'll also say maybe they AREN'T normal-looking teens... no piercings, no tattoos, they actually tuck their shirts in! Looking for positives? I know exactly where my 17-yr-olds are every Saturday night... b/c they're not out carousing or drinking or partying. I know I'm not going to accidentally become a grandma anytime soon! They're not going to drive off the road b/c they don't drive. They may not be the class president but they also won't be a statistic!)
off my soapbox, Happy New Year's to All!!
Florence

[Margo C.]

Florence, your boys sounds like real blessings to me!! That silver lining is shining!

[Hannelore N.]

Florence, we'll have to share the same soap box, so move over a little.

Here in the UK we have a government policy document called "Every Child Matters" (if interested, google it). It's a very useful bit of ammunition when it comes to fighting for children who fall outside the average range of behaviour.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

You know..........I just love you gals!! One of us speaks up with a challenge or concern, and so many jump right in with support. What a fabulous bunch of people we have here! Bless your Hearts, and Happy New Year.
Jan in Spokane........59" of snow in 12 days! More on the way

[Hannelore N.]

I will have a look for that book on Amazon - I have bought one or two already but they are all good to have. I believe that AS is a relatively 'new' syndrome - first recognised in the 80s I believe. I don't remember coming across it when I was at school - mind you, that's 40 odd years ago!! - and I was at an all girl's school. I believe it is more common in males. Obviously there must be adult Aspies undiagnosed from when it wasn't recognised - I presume that sufferers without extra help must have found their own method of coping years ago and that it can run in families. Thanks for all the postings everybody, and Happy 2009!

[Sue R.]

Our DS, 6, was diagnosed with Asperger's in '08. Nothing about him had changed, the diagnosis was just the umbrella for the symptoms he had all along.

I pushed for a diagnosis because that meant that we could obtain services for him that our health insurance wouldn't pay for---and being our 3rd SN child, there sure isn't any other funding for us.

This book is just great since it deals with younger children: Asperger Syndrome in Young Children by Teresa Bolick, ISBN 13 #978-1592330621 .

It is an excellent description of bottom to top neurological development and functioning. Also great insights for therapies and what will help. There are many great books on the subject, but this is the one for our little guys.

Hope you and your family will find the best ways to help your GS navigate his way.

Sue

[Sue R.]

In my expierence all 4 year olds are demanding and inquizative. That is what makes them great. :wink: I am glad the little guy lives in a small community it makes things easier. I feel they tend to fet lost in the larger cities. Florence I would love to know about that college that is in tune with AS. My Alex is going to go to a trade school. This is his choice. He wants to be a Nascar mechanic, or an under water welder. :roll: I know very different carreers but they will make him money. Also he will be going to a BOCES program next year where he will start to learn a trade. So I feel he is on the right track. The past couple years he has really come around and become more vocal. I just wish he would speak up. I have a slight hearing problem and he mumbles. IT DRIVES ME NUTS :x :!: This year though he has a girlfriend and he is trying to follow her time schedule. So he has been more on time as far as getting to school is concerned. So far NO DETENTIONS :!: Last year he was in detention just about twice a week for tardiness. Thank goodness she likes to be 15 minutes earlly to school. Now they get there just before the final bell rings.

[Sue R.]

Rachel I think that mumbling is strictly a teenage thing!!! The college is Landmark College in VT-- big $$ but looks worth every penny. Fingers crossed, both finished writing their Personal Statments for the application, a few more things to gather then the app should go in by the end of the month then we wait... (rolling admissions, so maybe not too long a wait) Alex's goals both sound great... mine both want to work for the Lego company, I keep telling them they might need to broaden that out a bit!!

I agree the dx is an umbrella... I just wish we'd looked at their quirks as 'symptoms' earlier, but they always reminded me of my brother, 13 yrs younger than me so I knew him as baby, toddler, etc. NOW I've decided he's on the spectrum too, but happy, if not specifically "successful". He manages... he's an actor by trade, so that's always an off & on thing... He married young and they're still together 14 years later, so THAT's a success many don't acheive! So I know my guys will be "ok" even if they're a "star-shaped peg"!!

Florence

[Sue R.]

I just read a terrific book (as with most, I wish I'd had it sooner)
It's by Temple Grandin, a famous Autistic and excellent author, about Careers for folks with Asperger's- here's a link to it on Amazon but check your local library....
http://tiny.cc/djsCV
a bit early for the little guy, but Rachel if you haven't read it it's a good time for Alex.

Temple Grandin is wonderful in person- I went to a talk she gave a few years back and she's inspiring.

Tony Attwood is another one to check into- he has a great website.
http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/

ETA: Another site useful for high schoolers with AS:

http://www.professorsadvice.com/


Lisa

[Sue R.]

Someone asked about adults with AS this is somethings I have learned from the books I have read and professionals I have talked to. It runs in families and it is more common in boys then girls. When I read the deffinition and symptoms of AS to my family they all laughed and said I just typed up a paper about my husband. For years I used to go to parent teacher conferences and say "my son is just like his father, he is quiet leave him alone. He doesn't need to come out of his shell, you know what are in shells? NUTS! Leave the shell alone" They didn't listen now they regret it. Because now he and his one friend are Laurel and Hardy. Yep should of left the shell alone. So now when I go to meeting and talk to these same professionals they say they have they same problems but now he is a NUT. I just say well you are the ones who wanted him out of his shell so deal with it. Far as I am concerned he is a normal teenager with a few quirks. :wink:

[Beth A.]

Yesterday, Temple Grandin was interviewd on NPR.

Go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=99009110 and hear her.

She is truly an amazing person. I have read her books and cannot give that lady enough credit!

BethMI