HI..

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone! I am new to this group &

would like to learn more

about aspergers. My son is 5 years old and

currently being assessed

for possible sensory integration problems. I

spoke with the

occupational therapist today at his school and she

is saying that he

may have a mild form of aspergers. I had actually

researched this

about a year ago and talked to my pediatrician who

said he had

nothing of the sort & he was fine. I

have read up today &

understand that aspergers is more about social

skills correct? My

son is very intellectual, but has some language

delays and flaps his

arms (altho not nearly as much as when he was

younger). People always asked me

if he was autistic because of the arm flapping & again, my doctor had said no because (my son) easily carried

on a conversation, etc. ~*************

*********** I have heard this many times

from other people, being told their child is ‘too social’. This

just is not correct information. My son was almost 10 before he was diagnosed

with Aspergers because he is very bright and he talked lots. His talk would

often center on what his special interest was at the time. Because his

interests were fairly intellectual (the skeletal system at 40 (Civil War at 7)

it was assumed by others he was just smart. I think Asperger’s is more

complicated than what some of the literature leads you to believe. There is a

great deal more involved than just the social stuff. I would suggest purchasing

The OASIS guide to Asperger Syndrome available on the Oasis site. Or read Tony

Atwood’s research papers on line www.tonyatwood.com

“He LOVES sports,”

************a lot of Asperger kids have poor balance finding bike riding

difficult to learn, skipping, standing on one foot, running

Jackie,

after my son was diagnosed at 10 I drove myself nuts trying to figure out

all the therapies and what to do. The best approach is consistent

observation, meeting his environmental needs, slow down, Play with him,

read and talk to him. I am one who believes in taking him out of Ps. if it

is just plain not going to work. Most people will tell you to fight for

his rights at Ps. The fact is, sometimes the environment just plain is not

going to work no matter what the school does. Also, the number of kids,

the time factor, the discrepancies in strengths and weaknesses just doesn’t

work. At 9 my son was ‘clinical’ in regards to anxiety,

depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I am not trying to scare

you but I don’t feel he would have ended up clinical if he had been diagnosed

earlier. He definitely would have these issues, but not to the point he

was at. If he likes school great. Just be aware of what can happen. My son

is doing well all things considered. He is Home Schooled, takes riding

lessons, Fencing and Trombone lessons. He belongs to a reading group and a

Hs. gathering group. Soon he will participate in a Shakespeare club. What

I am saying is there are lots of options. Do get a diagnosis by a Neuro-Psychologist

if you can afford it. First ask the school to pay. I put a lot of energy

into my son, because approx. 15 years out of my life isn’t much to

help his life be better in the long run hopefully….Let us know what

happens, Gail

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Gail, for your VERY informative reply. I printed it out

to show my husband as he is having a hard time accepting anything.

We are going into this meeting as well educated as we possibly can &

hope we understand everything that we are told. I definitely want

to take action now when he's only 5 and not have all kinds of

problems later on (as you had discussed). If there is anything else

you can think of that may help us in our meeting...any questions we

should ask, please email me! Thanks again!! Jackie

>

>

> Hello everyone! I am new to this group & would like to learn more

> about aspergers. My son is 5 years old and currently being

assessed

> for possible sensory integration problems. I spoke with the

> occupational therapist today at his school and she is saying that

he

> may have a mild form of aspergers. I had actually researched this

> about a year ago and talked to my pediatrician who said he had

> nothing of the sort & he was fine. I have read up today &

> understand that aspergers is more about social skills correct? My

> son is very intellectual, but has some language delays and flaps

his

> arms (altho not nearly as much as when he was younger). People

always

> asked me if he was autistic because of the arm flapping & again, my

> doctor had said no because (my son) easily carried on a

> conversation, etc. ~*************

> *********** I have heard this many times from other people, being

told

> their child is 'too social'. This just is not correct information.

My

> son was almost 10 before he was diagnosed with Aspergers because

he is

> very bright and he talked lots. His talk would often center on

what his

> special interest was at the time. Because his interests were fairly

> intellectual (the skeletal system at 40 (Civil War at 7) it was

assumed

> by others he was just smart. I think Asperger's is more

complicated than

> what some of the literature leads you to believe. There is a great

deal

> more involved than just the social stuff. I would suggest

purchasing The

> OASIS guide to Asperger Syndrome available on the Oasis site. Or

read

> Tony Atwood's research papers on line www.tonyatwood.com

> <http://www.tonyatwood.com/>

> " He LOVES sports, " ************a lot of Asperger kids have poor

balance

> finding bike riding difficult to learn, skipping, standing on one

foot,

> running

>

>

> * Jackie, after my son was diagnosed at 10 I drove myself nuts

> trying to figure out all the therapies and what to do. The best

approach

> is consistent observation, meeting his environmental needs, slow

down,

> Play with him, read and talk to him. I am one who believes in

taking him

> out of Ps. if it is just plain not going to work. Most people will

tell

> you to fight for his rights at Ps. The fact is, sometimes the

> environment just plain is not going to work no matter what the

school

> does. Also, the number of kids, the time factor, the discrepancies

in

> strengths and weaknesses just doesn't work. At 9 my son

was 'clinical'

> in regards to anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive

Disorder).

> I am not trying to scare you but I don't feel he would have ended

up

> clinical if he had been diagnosed earlier. He definitely would have

> these issues, but not to the point he was at. If he likes school

great.

> Just be aware of what can happen. My son is doing well all things

> considered. He is Home Schooled, takes riding lessons, Fencing and

> Trombone lessons. He belongs to a reading group and a Hs. gathering

> group. Soon he will participate in a Shakespeare club. What I am

saying

> is there are lots of options. Do get a diagnosis by a Neuro-

Psychologist

> if you can afford it. First ask the school to pay. I put a lot of

energy

> into my son, because approx. 15 years out of my life isn't much to

help

> his life be better in the long run hopefully..Let us know what

happens,

> Gail

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

I share your troubles. My husband has a difficult time remembering what diagnosis my son has and becomes very frustrated by him. It's hard. You are doing the right thing by educating yourself and making your husband aware of a few things. If you can continue this...he will accept it and it will become a big factor in your lives. I can tell you we have struggled here is our story:

I have a son firstly diagnosed as ADHD. My son is 7 years old and we started having problems in kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher was extremely hyper herself and focused in on Devin and made a BIG deal about him. I wasn't really concerned at this point, I really could care less if he "colored in the lines". I just thought the teacher needed to relax a bit for my son had gone through horrible issues, that year and it was before we had a diagnosis. Devin, had lost his father, started school, mom remarried and he learned he was going to be a Big brother. That was a lot for a 5yr old. I wasn't conserned if he could stay in the lines of coloring.

First Grade came along before we knew it, we had a good teacher but at the same time, she thought we could "fix" Devin. "IF only he had circumstances for his actions" by now... we had a diagnosis and we fought tooth and nail. They wanted to paddle, yes paddle... for his inattentiveness and disorganization.

The teacher, could care less what diagnosis we had and still believed he needed to be more disciplined. Although all in all I thought she was a nice teacher, she just didn't get it and understand ADHD. Devin went through a series of testing, because of an IEP being established. What we found, he was well above average after taking two different IQ tests one was "verbal" and the other was not, one he tested average on and the other he was well above normal range, they could not believe his score and double checked themselves making sure it was graded properly. I thought the first Ctoni test results-normal was because he was without medication. As it turns out, we had the wrong diagnosis. We established an IEP during this year. Took a lot of time to accomplish, like with everything you do at the school. I suggest you start anything with school right away and let them know you would like it ASAP, you are looking at Christmas break soon and after that time will fly.

Second Grade, I still knew something wasn't correct about this ADHD diagnosis. It wasn't until we had a new counselor whom recognized the symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome. A form of Autism. We have taken him to a specialist out of our town, it seems they are few and far between, but important to get him to a specialist. The school decided he didn't need any further help because he was doing so well in school. Socially Aspergers Syndrome is a problem as well., Devin hates school says he doesn't have friends and I believe he is a bit bored in school, needs to be challenged a bit more. We recently had an IEP meeting, they doughted his diagnosis because he was doing so well in school, academically and socially. I felt like a real heel, I felt they were saying, there is nothing wrong with him, so why do you insist on wanting it to be? Nevertheless, at this IEP meeting we decided the school would pay for a second opinion. Not someone I knew whom would be doing the testing, someone they suggested. They paid for this as well. Sure enough, the second opinion: diagnosis is correct. These people whom tested Devin also have made SEVERAL suggestions for the school to do. Some of the suggestions they are in fear of. It's not the "norm" but they need to get "used" to it. Sometimes I feel like I am the only parent in that school that pushes to get what's needed for my son.

Devin's complete diagnosis: Aspergers Syndrome, Language Disorder (this one threw me, its like the IQ tests one was verbal one wasn't, that's how he discovered and diagnoised a language disorder-sensory issue, looks as if Devin's little brain knows there is a word but I think his vocabulary is not fully developed and he searches for words to use. Like he doesn't know what word to use. Maybe because he hasn't learned the word needed, make sense? Devin talks fine, the specialist saw this because I took Devin's IQ test's with us that was done from school. The verbal one and non verbal, doctor said Ahhhhhh...this is why. Devin needs to learn by visual aid's, they found this by these two Test and the difference of the test is how they determined this), High IQ. We are now awaiting on the test results to come in on paper before we hold another IEP meeting. If it weren't for the IEP meetings, nothing would be accomplished, I still have to "fight" AND push my way to get them to listen. I learn as I go...but at least keeping it open always opens new windows. If it hadn't been for our new counselor we wouldn't be at this point. I am not grateful he has aspergers syndrome, I am grateful we have the "correct diagnosis" so we know how to treat it.

I just felt I should share with you, good luck with your son!

The Hitchcocks

-----Original Message-----From: snowbunny12398 [mailto:jackieandpaul@...] Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 10:41 PMAutism and Aspergers Treatment Subject: Re: Hi..Thank you, Gail, for your VERY informative reply. I printed it out to show my husband as he is having a hard time accepting anything. We are going into this meeting as well educated as we possibly can & hope we understand everything that we are told. I definitely want to take action now when he's only 5 and not have all kinds of problems later on (as you had discussed). If there is anything else you can think of that may help us in our meeting...any questions we should ask, please email me! Thanks again!! Jackie > > > Hello everyone! I am new to this group & would like to learn more > about aspergers. My son is 5 years old and currently being assessed > for possible sensory integration problems. I spoke with the > occupational therapist today at his school and she is saying that he > may have a mild form of aspergers. I had actually researched this > about a year ago and talked to my pediatrician who said he had > nothing of the sort & he was fine. I have read up today & > understand that aspergers is more about social skills correct? My > son is very intellectual, but has some language delays and flaps his > arms (altho not nearly as much as when he was younger). People always> asked me if he was autistic because of the arm flapping & again, my> doctor had said no because (my son) easily carried on a> conversation, etc. ~*************> *********** I have heard this many times from other people, being told> their child is 'too social'. This just is not correct information. My> son was almost 10 before he was diagnosed with Aspergers because he is> very bright and he talked lots. His talk would often center on what his> special interest was at the time. Because his interests were fairly> intellectual (the skeletal system at 40 (Civil War at 7) it was assumed> by others he was just smart. I think Asperger's is more complicated than> what some of the literature leads you to believe. There is a great deal> more involved than just the social stuff. I would suggest purchasing The> OASIS guide to Asperger Syndrome available on the Oasis site. Or read> Tony Atwood's research papers on line www.tonyatwood.com> <http://www.tonyatwood.com/> > "He LOVES sports," ************a lot of Asperger kids have poor balance> finding bike riding difficult to learn, skipping, standing on one foot,> running> > > * Jackie, after my son was diagnosed at 10 I drove myself nuts> trying to figure out all the therapies and what to do. The best approach> is consistent observation, meeting his environmental needs, slow down,> Play with him, read and talk to him. I am one who believes in taking him> out of Ps. if it is just plain not going to work. Most people will tell> you to fight for his rights at Ps. The fact is, sometimes the> environment just plain is not going to work no matter what the school> does. Also, the number of kids, the time factor, the discrepancies in> strengths and weaknesses just doesn't work. At 9 my son was 'clinical'> in regards to anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).> I am not trying to scare you but I don't feel he would have ended up> clinical if he had been diagnosed earlier. He definitely would have> these issues, but not to the point he was at. If he likes school great.> Just be aware of what can happen. My son is doing well all things> considered. He is Home Schooled, takes riding lessons, Fencing and> Trombone lessons. He belongs to a reading group and a Hs. gathering> group. Soon he will participate in a Shakespeare club. What I am saying> is there are lots of options. Do get a diagnosis by a Neuro-Psychologist> if you can afford it. First ask the school to pay. I put a lot of energy> into my son, because approx. 15 years out of my life isn't much to help> his life be better in the long run hopefully..Let us know what happens,> Gail

[Guest guest]

I definitely want to take action now when he's only 5 and not have all

kinds of problems later on (as

you had discussed). If there is anything else

you can think of that may help us in our

meeting...any questions we

should ask, please email me! Thanks

again!! Jackie

Hi Jackie, first I wanted

to correct the Tony Attwood link. I spelled his name with one t in Attwood, which

gets all kinds of unrelated information. You should do a search on

Asperger’s Tony Attwood for the correct link. www.tonyattwood.com . His site is very

informative.

As far as school, ask them how often he cries? No one ever told us,

and in second grade it was mentioned that “ doesn’t cry as much

as he used too”. “When he gains more confidence he won’t cry

so much”…grrr….Believe it or not, in fourth grade when we

were at a meeting, and this exact same phrase was used again. We had no idea

and frankly never thought to ask. This just is not something you would normally

think of. I will say Kindergarten was ok for him, as it was half a day and he

really liked the teacher. He did lots of neat drawings of inventions, whereas

the year before he wouldn’t even hold a pencil because the teacher told

him if “you don’t hold the pencil the correct way you can’t

use it”. Therefore, he would not use it at all. I am getting side tracked

here. One of the problems in school for our kids is as the work becomes more

complex, they really start a downhill spiral. Find out what the schools 1st

grade Math program is. If it is Everyday Math or Mathlands watch out….If

your son is good at Math these might be Ok if not I would recommend Touchmath. www.touchmath.com Also a great handwriting program is

Handwriting Without Tears www.hwtears.com

.. I am bringing up these programs

because I feel they are highly effective with kids on the spectrum, and can

save a lot of headaches if you learn about them now. You would assume schools

would know about or use them, but some do and some don’t. Touchmath was

recommended by an Educational Specialist who really was very good. The school

had the program and didn’t even know it. My neighbor, an aide, had to

tell me they had the program. What I am getting at, is no matter how bright

your son is he will need some specific programs tailored to him. My son, 12, is

college level when it comes to History and areas of interest; however, in Math

we just got through fractions, decimals and are now doing time. Time is another

hard concept and I would recommend Touchmath for this. In the testing my son

had done by a Neuro-Psychologist he placed in the 96th percentile in

some areas of Language but in the 5th percentile in others such as Inferences.

SRA Specific Skills Series has a good program to address certain areas…..sorry

to overwhelm you but these are areas to think about if he is diagnosed with

Asperger’s. It’s not the end of the world. My son is wonderful

company, funny, talented and in many ways has become my teacher (especially

when we were doing fractions!)

I would ask for testing. Usually they do the WISC 111 and some

others at the school. They won’t agree to have testing by a

Neuro-Psychologist until they have done testing at school. My sons’

former school suggested the Neuro-Psyc. testing and paid for it $1,700.00, but

many schools might not. They have to do testing through the school if asked. They

usually hire a Psychologist with testing experience from the outside. Now a neuropsychological evaluation “provides

a global assessment of brain function that includes levels of basic sensory and

motor skills, systems of attention and learning and abstraction and higher

order cognitive functions. The evaluation also provides insight into emotional

regulation, social development, and academic achievement.” This quote is from the learning center

where my son was tested, The Stern Center in Vt. The testing was very

insightful. The recommendations were text book but I would highly recommend

this testing. If you can afford it I would go ahead and have it done as it

would surely point out your sons’ strengths and weaknesses. It would also

help the school to develop a plan. Usually if you depend on the school you

could be waiting a long time. Never agree to 7:45 A.M. meetings, a complete waste of time. ….I’ll stop here

as I feel I may have provided too much information and/or my own personal

thoughts. Let us know what happens. When is the meeting? What is your son like

when he gets home from school? Gail

..

[Guest guest]

"******* I have heard this many times from other people, being told their child is ‘too social’." "...it was assumed by others he was just smart." I think this is exactly why Cameron hasn't gotten a diagnosis. He is a very social kid, but he doesn't get things like stranger danger. We were at a holiday thing on Friday night and we'd stop to talk to someone, and he'd walk right up and hug them. He's going to go to Pre-K next year and not be able to stay in his seat, run around the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch and all this other stuff because until I get a diagnosis, they won't give him an aide. Frustrating!!!

Anne

-- RE: Hi..

Hello everyone! I am new to this group & would like to learn more about aspergers. My son is 5 years old and currently being assessed for possible sensory integration problems. I spoke with the occupational therapist today at his school and she is saying that he may have a mild form of aspergers. I had actually researched this about a year ago and talked to my pediatrician who said he had nothing of the sort & he was fine. I have read up today & understand that aspergers is more about social skills correct? My son is very intellectual, but has some language delays and flaps his arms (altho not nearly as much as when he was younger). People always asked me if he was autistic because of the arm flapping & again, my doctor had said no because (my son) easily carried on a conversation, etc. ~*************

*********** I have heard this many times from other people, being told their child is ‘too social’. This just is not correct information. My son was almost 10 before he was diagnosed with Aspergers because he is very bright and he talked lots. His talk would often center on what his special interest was at the time. Because his interests were fairly intellectual (the skeletal system at 40 (Civil War at 7) it was assumed by others he was just smart. I think Asperger’s is more complicated than what some of the literature leads you to believe. There is a great deal more involved than just the social stuff. I would suggest purchasing The OASIS guide to Asperger Syndrome available on the Oasis site. Or read Tony Atwood’s research papers on line www.tonyatwood.com

“He LOVES sports,” ************a lot of Asperger kids have poor balance finding bike riding difficult to learn, skipping, standing on one foot, running

Jackie, after my son was diagnosed at 10 I drove myself nuts trying to figure out all the therapies and what to do. The best approach is consistent observation, meeting his environmental needs, slow down, Play with him, read and talk to him. I am one who believes in taking him out of Ps. if it is just plain not going to work. Most people will tell you to fight for his rights at Ps. The fact is, sometimes the environment just plain is not going to work no matter what the school does. Also, the number of kids, the time factor, the discrepancies in strengths and weaknesses just doesn’t work. At 9 my son was ‘clinical’ in regards to anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I am not trying to scare you but I don’t feel he would have ended up clinical if he had been diagnosed earlier. He definitely would have these issues, but not to the point he was at. If he likes school great. Just be aware of what can happen. My son is doing well all things considered. He is Home Schooled, takes riding lessons, Fencing and Trombone lessons. He belongs to a reading group and a Hs. gathering group. Soon he will participate in a Shakespeare club. What I am saying is there are lots of options. Do get a diagnosis by a Neuro-Psychologist if you can afford it. First ask the school to pay. I put a lot of energy into my son, because approx. 15 years out of my life isn’t much to help his life be better in the long run hopefully….Let us know what happens, Gail

[Guest guest]

Hi again Gail ~ Wow....I don't know how to start thanking you for

the invaluable information you gave. It is wonderful to have

someone that has been thru it already assist me with all my

questions, concerns, fears, etc. ~ I will answer some of your

questions momentarily, however, I wanted to state first that I

received a call from the occupational therapist at Jake's school

today. She just raved over how great of a little boy is ~

that he's very sweet & enduring, a wonderful, happy boy with great

self esteem. She said he's highly intellectual and is definitely

going to be very successful. She even said he's the sweetest kid

she's had in her whole 23 years of doing this, so that was cool to

hear. Anyways, she said he does seem to have some motor

coordination problems that she would like to work on, specifically,

his body awareness, having both sides of his body work together,

sensory issues, balance…basically it's vestibular (inner ear

balances), auditory processing (speech) and visual which I've

learned TONS about in the last few weeks. During her testing, she

found that he was having difficulty galloping, doing snow angels

(both of which I told her that we haven't done often & she said he

should still have picked it up regardless…..don't know how that is

possible, but whatever..I'll ask her at the formal meeting),

balancing & hopping on one foot (he did 1-3 seconds and the normal

is 8-10 seconds) She had mentioned to me about Asperger's Syndrome

& she said IF he had it at all, it would be a very mild touch of it,

so that was a relief!! At this point, we want to focus on the OT

and Speech, then see where he goes from there before anything on

Asperger's is discussed. To get a formal diagnosis of Asperger's

would entail a completely new assessment by a totally different

group of specialists and I don't think Jake could go thru all this

with new people since it's not even a for-sure thing and he's only

5, she says he may very well " catch up " and the things that are

now " red flags " may be completely gone by next year. Once his

sensory skills mature, a lot of things will mature with it. She

said as he does sensory processing more easily, the arm flapping

with disappear. In any case, and I are very optimistic about

her findings and are both going into the formal meeting with an open

mind about everything. We are NOT signing anything until they

explain the therapy IN DETAIL, then we are coming home and getting

on the `net to educate ourselves completely on it. She said if we

feel firmly about the AS, they have a consultant at the school who

we could meet with and we are keeping that in mind as OT therapy &

speech commence.

Now...to your email....I don't know that Jake cries at all at

school...I will definitely ask that question. I am also curious as

to the math programs and will ask about that also. In the meantime,

I plan on going to the website for touchmath and handwriting

program....I'm sure I will get invaluable tips there!

The OT sent me a form home today asking about observations at home &

once she gets that back, they are planning on a meeting right after

Thanksgiving, so we'll know ALOT more then. ~ Oh, and Jake is good

after school.....in fact, he LOVES school. When he gets off the

bus, he's abit tired, but waves to the driver as she leaves, then

comes inside and snacks cuz he's hungry - then usually just has

abit of " down " time...hangin' out, playing cars, watching tv, etc. -

nothing unusual. He is always anxious to go to school & always asks

me when he has school next, etc. ~ He doesn't really talk about

school....when I ask him about his day, he'll say it was good or OK,

then later he'll remember something and go about telling me about

whatever it is he remembered.

OK...hope I answered everything YOU asked....thanks again

Gail....we'll chat soon!! Jackie

> * I definitely want to take action now when he's only 5 and not

> have all kinds of problems later on (as you had discussed). If

there is

> anything else

> you can think of that may help us in our meeting...any questions

we

> should ask, please email me! Thanks again!! Jackie

> Hi Jackie, first I wanted to correct the Tony Attwood link. I

spelled

> his name with one t in Attwood, which gets all kinds of unrelated

> information. You should do a search on Asperger's Tony Attwood for

the

> correct link. www.tonyattwood.com <http://www.tonyattwood.com/> .

His

> site is very informative.

> As far as school, ask them how often he cries? No one ever told

us, and

> in second grade it was mentioned that " doesn't cry as much as

he

> used too " . " When he gains more confidence he won't cry so

> much " .grrr..Believe it or not, in fourth grade when we were at a

> meeting, and this exact same phrase was used again. We had no idea

and

> frankly never thought to ask. This just is not something you would

> normally think of. I will say Kindergarten was ok for him, as it

was

> half a day and he really liked the teacher. He did lots of neat

drawings

> of inventions, whereas the year before he wouldn't even hold a

pencil

> because the teacher told him if " you don't hold the pencil the

correct

> way you can't use it " . Therefore, he would not use it at all. I am

> getting side tracked here. One of the problems in school for our

kids is

> as the work becomes more complex, they really start a downhill

spiral.

> Find out what the schools 1st grade Math program is. If it is

Everyday

> Math or Mathlands watch out..If your son is good at Math these

might be

> Ok if not I would recommend Touchmath. www.touchmath.com

> <http://www.touchmath.com/> Also a great handwriting program is

> Handwriting Without Tears www.hwtears.com

<http://www.hwtears.com/> .

> I am bringing up these programs because I feel they are highly

effective

> with kids on the spectrum, and can save a lot of headaches if you

learn

> about them now. You would assume schools would know about or use

them,

> but some do and some don't. Touchmath was recommended by an

Educational

> Specialist who really was very good. The school had the program and

> didn't even know it. My neighbor, an aide, had to tell me they had

the

> program. What I am getting at, is no matter how bright your son is

he

> will need some specific programs tailored to him. My son, 12, is

college

> level when it comes to History and areas of interest; however, in

Math

> we just got through fractions, decimals and are now doing time.

Time is

> another hard concept and I would recommend Touchmath for this. In

the

> testing my son had done by a Neuro-Psychologist he placed in the

96th

> percentile in some areas of Language but in the 5th percentile in

others

> such as Inferences. SRA Specific Skills Series has a good program

to

> address certain areas...sorry to overwhelm you but these are areas

to

> think about if he is diagnosed with Asperger's. It's not the end

of the

> world. My son is wonderful company, funny, talented and in many

ways has

> become my teacher (especially when we were doing fractions!)

> I would ask for testing. Usually they do the WISC 111 and some

others at

> the school. They won't agree to have testing by a Neuro-

Psychologist

> until they have done testing at school. My sons' former school

suggested

> the Neuro-Psyc. testing and paid for it $1,700.00, but many schools

> might not. They have to do testing through the school if asked.

They

> usually hire a Psychologist with testing experience from the

outside.

> Now a neuropsychological evaluation " provides a global assessment

of

> brain function that includes levels of basic sensory and motor

skills,

> systems of attention and learning and abstraction and higher order

> cognitive functions. The evaluation also provides insight into

emotional

> regulation, social development, and academic achievement. " This

quote

> is from the learning center where my son was tested, The Stern

Center in

> Vt. The testing was very insightful. The recommendations were text

book

> but I would highly recommend this testing. If you can afford it I

would

> go ahead and have it done as it would surely point out your sons'

> strengths and weaknesses. It would also help the school to develop

a

> plan. Usually if you depend on the school you could be waiting a

long

> time. Never agree to 7:45 A.M. meetings, a complete waste of time.

> ..I'll stop here as I feel I may have provided too much information

> and/or my own personal thoughts. Let us know what happens. When is

the

> meeting? What is your son like when he gets home from school? Gail

>

> .

[Guest guest]

Jackie said “At this point, we want

to focus on the OT and Speech, then see where he goes from there before anything on

Asperger’s is discussed.”

****Hi Jackie, centering

on the OT does make sense. The fact your OT and your son like each other is

great, very helpful. I have my son gallop as well as hop through the kitchen on

one foot then the other. We have a Hedstrom ball that has a handle to hold

while you sit on and hop around. You can also lie across it. The ball is good

for helping with balance and would be fun for your son as well. Most toy stores

have these.

The

OT sent me a form home today asking about observations at home &

once

she gets that back, they are planning on a meeting right after

Thanksgiving,

so we'll know ALOT more then. ~ Oh, and Jake is good

after

school.....in fact, he LOVES school.

**********Glad to hear he loves school,

that is great. Does your son have special interests? When was 5 he had a

thing for gears, locks, Tanks…Early on his interests were trains,

Tank, Solar System, Skeletal system. Now at 12 he is into, and has been all

along History, Antique weaponry, World War 1, Tin Tin(for a second round)…He

has had many other interests. My husband and myself have certainly become

educated in matters we knew nothing about. Whatever his interest we have always

gone with the flow and gotten books for him plus lots of library trips. Math is

his weak point and mine. However, we are making progress. He is now beginning

to understand how to tell time. These areas do seem to click at his own pace

and a good program such as Touchmath... This is a good example of the strengths

and weaknesses that may show up. is a very bright kid; one would just

assume he would get this. However, this is not the case. We go with the flow

while addressing both strengths and weaknesses. Sounds like you are very aware

of your sons needs and will have a heads up by researching now. Let us know how

the meeting goes. Good Luck, Gail

[Guest guest]

HI, M A NEW MEMBER TO THE GROUP ND HAPPY TO SEE SO MCH HELP ND SUPPORT . ANYONE

IN OR NEAR LEICESTER PREPARING FOR ORE 1 FOR SEPT. 10 PLS LEMME KNW.

THNKS ND GOOD LUCK.