Guest guest Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Mild Autism is just another way of saying he is higher functioning autism. Yes it could be aspergers as that is what my son is being tested for since he is high functioning but not sure what one on the spectrum he is. Aspergers is just another form of Autism on the Autism spectrum line. It is just higher functioning than others. I hope this helped more than it confused you! -- When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the worldLife is not measured by the number of breaths we take-but by the moments that take our breath away. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 When they say " higher functioning " are they saying that he does not have autism so bad that he is going to have to be institutionalized so to speak? You know really cannot function in the real world because his mind is so messed up? Is that what higher functioning means? I say this because I have a son who has always been what they called " severely retarded, " but over the years I don't think he is severally retarded at all, but he is " severally autistic " which means he acts like he is severely retarded. The " higher functioning " retarded kids were able to learn things and eventually live independently which he never could do. I had the idea that higher functioning autism meant they were somehow higher INTELLIGENCE....not functioning. I need a clarification on terms looks like! Carolyn Charity Cecak wrote: > > Mild Autism is just another way of saying he is higher functioning > autism. Yes it could be aspergers as that is what my son is being > tested for since he is high functioning but not sure what one on the > spectrum he is. Aspergers is just another form of Autism on the Autism > spectrum line. It is just higher functioning than others. I hope this > helped more than it confused you! > > -- > When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will > know peace. > > To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might > be the world > > Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take-but by the > moments that take our breath away. > > No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make > you cry. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Higher functioning means basically that on a good day the ability to cope with life approaches that of someone without autism. It does usually correlate with a higher intelligence. Autism is a spectrum, from those who never speak or show any sign of reaction to the outside world to those who often show no noticeable sign of being different. To get a diagnosis of autism you need to have your functioning impaired enough to be a problem. Obviously that varies from person to person and from doctor to doctor. The reason why the process involves observation and reports is that the diagnosis process itself may not bring out any autistic traits. A report from a teacher and a parent who have observed the child for months/years can reveal behaviour and concerns that would never be picked up by observation. As for the doctors observation that Lucas will get better, she is probably right in the long term view. But if he is anything like most autistic kids, there will be days when that won't be observable, and you'll wonder if he can get much worse. Over the last decade my son has improved because he has learnt to cope better, but some days were really bad in the process of getting here. Often a bad time preceded a break through on some issue. Sometimes it is like having the flu - you know you have it, and you know you'll get better, but the process of getting better involves getting worse. It is often, in my observation, the process of things getting worse that makes the person with autism, or those around them, do what is needed to make things get better. > When they say " higher functioning " are they saying that he does not have > autism so bad that he is going to have to be institutionalized so to > speak? You know really cannot function in the real world because his > mind is so messed up? Is that what higher functioning means? > > I say this because I have a son who has always been what they called > " severely retarded, " but over the years I don't think he is severally > retarded at all, but he is " severally autistic " which means he acts like > he is severely retarded. The " higher functioning " retarded kids were > able to learn things and eventually live independently which he never > could do. > > I had the idea that higher functioning autism meant they were somehow > higher INTELLIGENCE....not functioning. > > I need a clarification on terms looks like! > > Carolyn > > > Charity Cecak wrote: >> Mild Autism is just another way of saying he is higher functioning >> autism. Yes it could be aspergers as that is what my son is being >> tested for since he is high functioning but not sure what one on the >> spectrum he is. Aspergers is just another form of Autism on the Autism >> spectrum line. It is just higher functioning than others. I hope this >> helped more than it confused you! >> >> -- >> When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will >> know peace. >> >> To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might >> be the world >> >> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take-but by the >> moments that take our breath away. >> >> No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make >> you cry. >> >> > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 The actual diagnostic term/code " Asperger's Disorder " may in fact be removed from the DSM V when it gets published. Perhaps that has something to do with the terminology this doctor decided to use...I'd certainly ask them if you'd like better clarification though. Asperger's Disorder - Proposed Revision: The work group is proposing that this disorder be subsumed into an existing disorder: Autistic Disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder). http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=97 Autism Spectrum Disorder - Proposed Revision: Must meet criteria A, B, C, and D: A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following: 1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction, 2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures. 3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends to an apparent absence of interest in people B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following: 1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases). 2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes). 3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests). 4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects). C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities) D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning. http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94 > >> Mild Autism is just another way of saying he is higher functioning > >> autism. Yes it could be aspergers as that is what my son is being > >> tested for since he is high functioning but not sure what one on the > >> spectrum he is. Aspergers is just another form of Autism on the Autism > >> spectrum line. It is just higher functioning than others. I hope this > >> helped more than it confused you! > >> > >> -- > >> When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will > >> know peace. > >> > >> To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might > >> be the world > >> > >> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take-but by the > >> moments that take our breath away. > >> > >> No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make > >> you cry. > >> > >> > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Thankyou , that was very helpful. Do you know of one where it lists the traits of aspergers? Carolyn wrote: > > The actual diagnostic term/code " Asperger's Disorder " may in fact be > removed from the DSM V when it gets published. Perhaps that has > something to do with the terminology this doctor decided to use...I'd > certainly ask them if you'd like better clarification though. > > Asperger's Disorder - Proposed Revision: > The work group is proposing that this disorder be subsumed into an > existing disorder: Autistic Disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder). > http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=97 > > Autism Spectrum Disorder - Proposed Revision: > Must meet criteria A, B, C, and D: > > A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction > across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, > and manifest by all 3 of the following: > 1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal > social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation > through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and > response to total lack of initiation of social interaction, > 2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social > interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal > communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, > or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to > total lack of facial expression or gestures. > 3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate > to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from > difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts > through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends > to an apparent absence of interest in people > B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or > activities as manifested by at least two of the following: > 1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of > objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use > of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases). > 2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or > nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as > motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive > questioning or extreme distress at small changes). > 3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity > or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual > objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests). > 4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in > sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to > pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, > excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or > spinning objects). > C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become > fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities) > D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning. > > http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94 > > > > >> Mild Autism is just another way of saying he is higher functioning > > >> autism. Yes it could be aspergers as that is what my son is being > > >> tested for since he is high functioning but not sure what one on the > > >> spectrum he is. Aspergers is just another form of Autism on the > Autism > > >> spectrum line. It is just higher functioning than others. I hope this > > >> helped more than it confused you! > > >> > > >> -- > > >> When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will > > >> know peace. > > >> > > >> To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just > might > > >> be the world > > >> > > >> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take-but by the > > >> moments that take our breath away. > > >> > > >> No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make > > >> you cry. > > >> > > >> > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 There's a link below showing the revision for Asperger's and on that page there's a tab for the current info too but I'll copy and paste for you here ;-) This is what is currently listed in the DSM IV: Asperger's Disorder A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following: (1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction (2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level (3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people) (4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following: (1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus (2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals (3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements) (4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years). E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood. F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia. > > > >> Mild Autism is just another way of saying he is higher functioning > > > >> autism. Yes it could be aspergers as that is what my son is being > > > >> tested for since he is high functioning but not sure what one on the > > > >> spectrum he is. Aspergers is just another form of Autism on the > > Autism > > > >> spectrum line. It is just higher functioning than others. I hope this > > > >> helped more than it confused you! > > > >> > > > >> -- > > > >> When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will > > > >> know peace. > > > >> > > > >> To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just > > might > > > >> be the world > > > >> > > > >> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take-but by the > > > >> moments that take our breath away. > > > >> > > > >> No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make > > > >> you cry. > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 My son has Asperger’s and from my understanding, the only difference is the speaking part. If they are delayed in their speech, they are Autistic. If they have all the other signs, but have no speech problems, or delays, they are Aspergers. As far as insurance is concerned, Autistic is the better diagnosis… from my understanding, they cover more. I guess the media has gotten Autism out there enough to have insurance companies recognize all the therapies involved. I’m not finding that to be true with Asperger’s. My son is in a social therapies group and the Autistic kids’ moms tell me insurance is covering their services while my son isn’t. Maybe with the revisions in the DSM that will help… we’ll see. HTH, Tera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Re: I have a question... My son was diagnosed at age 7 as very high functioning autistic because he met 7 of 12 markers. However, there was never a language delay. In fact, like his older brother, he was an early talker and very intelligent and insightful. He could tell me, " I feel sad. " " I feel angry. " " I am afraid, " His extremely mature verbal abilities made us doubtful about the diagnosis at first. He was always very social and he has a very high IQ. He was also rigid and he had difficulties with social cues and pragmatic language. The pragmatic language was not as apparent until he started school. When he started interacting with more children and was placed in more challenging social situations, his disability became more noticeable. The autism diagnosis has given him the " GO " card to get many more school services than he would have received had the doctors labeled him aspergers. Is he aspergers? Yes. Is he autistic, Yes. One doctor we saw told us aspergers is just a very high functioning autistic, while another told us they were two very distinct diagnoses and could occur side by side. My son is now 12 and that diagnosis has given him many services. He now attends a middle school www.thespringstoneschool.org for kids with executive function issues of all kinds and our school district pays for it. He is in a small class of 8 students--social skills, OT, etc are built into the program. Most of the kdis at this school are aspergers or PD NOS, some more autistic, some NV LD. Next year he will transfer to a college prep school for aspergers kids. He could attend our neighborhood high school, but why would I do that when he can have so much personal attention in the smaller setting. My 15 year old would LOVE to have the accomodations his brother receives. Many of the school districts in our area will simply try to keep the asperger's kids in general ed and give them some accomodations. We found this did not work well, especially starting in 4th grade where the class size doubles. Our district then tried to place my son in a Spectrum collaborative classroom (8 kids combined grades 3-5, teacher and 3-4 aides). These kids had many more autistic traits and behaviors and my son was the only one attending inclusion classes (in a general ed classroom with an aide) for academic classes, returning to the Spectrum class for social skills and speech. Once he was ready for middle school, we quickly moved him out of the Spectrum program, because he was mimicking the quirky behaviors. Now that he is with other kids who are more like him, he has many friends, is happy and is FINALLY getting academically challenged. There is a Spectrum collaborative classroom at my older son's high school. Many of the kids attend the general ed classes with an aide, but they stand out. My 12 yr old is very sensitive to how he is perceived so he enjoys the privacy of a smaller setting. I encourage you to expose Lucas (gently, of course) to many different, foods, things, people and places to try and offset his natural tendency to become rigid. Give him lots of transition time and explain everything in advance to ward off anxiety. Back off when he needs you to. We used a 5 words or less rule in talking to our son. Keep it simple. Also, followed the 8-second rule....don't expect an immediate response...allow 8 seconds for processing. : ) My 12 year old has come a long way from when he was diagnosed at age 5. Every child's journey is unique. I wish your family the best in guiding Lucas. > > Hello everybody. > > Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the > developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of > Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So > now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is > aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? > > She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, > but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the > path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. > > So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? > > Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. > Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and > solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and > white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he > tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be > hostile due to his frustration, etc. > > Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these > three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age > 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger > age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better > over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so > much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are > more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, > doesn't speak at all, etc. > > She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it > off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he > qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that > was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But > even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they > acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. > Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. > > Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to > fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school > conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she > said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet > the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. > > Any comments greatly appreciated! > > Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Oh thankyou I just read this after I wrote my post about my grandson's speech. He talks a lot and big words too! Carolyn and Tera Macmanus wrote: > > My son has Asperger’s and from my understanding, the only difference > is the speaking part. If they are delayed in their speech, they are > Autistic. If they have all the other signs, but have no speech > problems, or delays, they are Aspergers. > > As far as insurance is concerned, Autistic is the better diagnosis… > from my understanding, they cover more. I guess the media has gotten > Autism out there enough to have insurance companies recognize all the > therapies involved. I’m not finding that to be true with Asperger’s. > My son is in a social therapies group and the Autistic kids’ moms tell > me insurance is covering their services while my son isn’t. Maybe with > the revisions in the DSM that will help… we’ll see. > > HTH, > > Tera > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 But he does have many other quirks. He is afraid of toilets for example, very picky about foods he will eat, has rigid perfectionist thinking, obsesses on certain subjects like " War of the World " and " Star Wars " and draws endless pictures in great detail of scenes from them. Interprets discipline wrong, says we hate him if we correct him. Thinks people hate him, thinks he is a failure. Only wears cotton clothing, nothing scratchy. Noises bother him a lot and he puts his fingers in his ears if it is too loud. If he is upset and tired says he is going to kill you. We are teaching him however to just say he is tired say what bothers him. Mostly he tells me to STOP TALKING. After he has been at school all day he's had enough talking but I am excited to see him so I talk. He is getting more patient with me. He doesn't have any speech problems now but he did start out rather slowly, had many more autistic behaviors when he was younger also seems to be outgrowing a lot of them. Carolyn Carolyn wrote: > Oh thankyou I just read this after I wrote my post about my grandson's > speech. He talks a lot and big words too! > Carolyn > > and Tera Macmanus wrote: > >> My son has Asperger’s and from my understanding, the only difference >> is the speaking part. If they are delayed in their speech, they are >> Autistic. If they have all the other signs, but have no speech >> problems, or delays, they are Aspergers. >> >> As far as insurance is concerned, Autistic is the better diagnosis… >> from my understanding, they cover more. I guess the media has gotten >> Autism out there enough to have insurance companies recognize all the >> therapies involved. I’m not finding that to be true with Asperger’s. >> My son is in a social therapies group and the Autistic kids’ moms tell >> me insurance is covering their services while my son isn’t. Maybe with >> the revisions in the DSM that will help… we’ll see. >> >> HTH, >> >> Tera >> >> >> > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Oh wow those are big words alright! Excavators and stabilizer legs! Lucas seems to be going for the bigger words now also and draws in amazing detail. He used to draw the tiny teeny little things on the tops of telephone poles nobody else even notices, would draw pages of them. When he was little he would call them hair clips. He would scream " Hair clip! Hair clip! " and it took awhile before we figured out he was telling us what he saw on the top of certain telephone poles. Now he doesn't talk about them much at all is more into aliens and star ships, he corrected his teacher when she called it a space ship, said no no no it is a STAAAR ship. He has two wants two more all from Star Wars, they are expensive! I just have so much fun with him because he is so witty and funny and usually very loving and kind to me, although one day last week when he came over after school he kept saying he didn't like me, he didn't like me, was really taking out his frustration on me, hay I didn't do anything! Carolyn, OR, USA ;o) wmgodfrey@... wrote: > > Hi Carolyn, Lucas sounds a lot like my son who was diagnosed > with Aspergers in grade 2. He also didn't have many words until he was > nearly 3, then when he started to talk, he had long sentences and > fairly large words too - like excavators with stabalizer legs - he was > quite small when he came out with that one and it really surprised us > because I really had no idea about anything to do with excavators - > but the legs they put down really are called stabalizer legs!! I can't > even spell it right!! Lol > Lots of other things you've mentioned about Lucas are also very > reminiscent of at that age too. The clothing issues, loud > noises and getting upset and threatening to kill someone (usually his > older brother!) > > Estevan, SK > Canada > /--*/ Re: Re: I have a question > But he does have many other quirks. He is afraid of toilets for example, > very picky about foods he will eat, has rigid perfectionist thinking, > obsesses on certain subjects like " War of the World " and " Star Wars " and > draws endless pictures in great detail of scenes from them. Interprets > discipline wrong, says we hate him if we correct him. Thinks people hate > him, thinks he is a failure. Only wears cotton clothing, nothing > scratchy. Noises bother him a lot and he puts his fingers in his ears if > it is too loud. If he is upset and tired says he is going to kill you. > We are teaching him however to just say he is tired say what bothers > him. Mostly he tells me to STOP TALKING. After he has been at school all > day he's had enough talking but I am excited to see him so I talk. He is > getting more patient with me. > He doesn't have any speech problems now but he did start out rather > slowly, had many more autistic behaviors when he was younger also seems > to be outgrowing a lot of them. > Carolyn > Carolyn wrote: > > Oh thankyou I just read this after I wrote my post about my grandson's > > speech. He talks a lot and big words too! > > Carolyn > > > > and Tera Macmanus wrote: > > > >> My son has Asperger’s and from my understanding, the only difference > >> is the speaking part. If they are delayed in their speech, they are > >> Autistic. If they have all the other signs, but have no speech > >> problems, or delays, they are Aspergers. > >> > >> As far as insurance is concerned, Autistic is the better diagnosis… > >> from my understanding, they cover more. I guess the media has gotten > >> Autism out there enough to have insurance companies recognize all the > >> therapies involved. I’m not finding that to be true with Asperger’s. > >> My son is in a social therapies group and the Autistic kids’ moms tell > >> me insurance is covering their services while my son isn’t. Maybe with > >> the revisions in the DSM that will help… we’ll see. > >> > >> HTH, > >> > >> Tera > >> > >> > >> > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Just quickly responding to your statement about Lucas " getting better " as he ages...in my experience with my two AS daughters certain things have gotten better with some maturity and therapy, but we still have set backs and they are worse because they are bigger, have more words (ei. I hate you ) and can be more manipulative. The oppositional stuff has also gotten worse even though we don't have the rages on a daily basis we used to. Don't forget to take puberty in to account as he ages. We live with taking two steps forward with one step back all the time. Maybe for life. So overall things may get better, but maybe not on a daily or weekly basis.. His diagnosis may transfer to Asperger's at some point in his life, but it could simply be that Dr.;s interpretation, or maybe they are very similiar. There is sooooo much room for interpretation with ASD. Â Hello everybody. Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be hostile due to his frustration, etc. Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, doesn't speak at all, etc. She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. Any comments greatly appreciated! Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Debra, can you give a little more info on the language thing ?My son was diagnosed by the neurologist with autism because he didn't speak until he was three, and he definitely has a speech impediment---- stuttering / cluttering. However, he has literally perfect grasp of the English language. Once he writes a sentence, or a paragraph, it needs no editing in terms of pronouns, grammar, spelling, or whatnot. It's just hard for him to get the words out of his mouth in an articulate fashion--- because of the stuttering. > > From what I have researched, the difference between the two is whether or > not there is and was language. Children with autism have a deficit in > learning language and using it in forms of communication. Children with > Asperger's have their language centers intact - though may still not know > how to engage in social discourse because of social deficits (They have the > tools, but just do not know how to use them). Kids with autism just do not > have the tools when it comes to language. HFA kids mix up pronouns and > grammar even though they may be doing well academically in other areas. > > > > > > On Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 4:47 PM, Carolyn wrote: > > >> ** >> >> >> Hello everybody. >> >> Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the >> developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of >> Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So >> now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is >> aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? >> >> She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, >> but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the >> path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. >> >> So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? >> >> Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. >> Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and >> solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and >> white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he >> tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be >> hostile due to his frustration, etc. >> >> Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these >> three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age >> 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger >> age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better >> over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so >> much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are >> more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, >> doesn't speak at all, etc. >> >> She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it >> off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he >> qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that >> was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But >> even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they >> acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. >> Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. >> >> Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to >> fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school >> conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she >> said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet >> the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. >> >> Any comments greatly appreciated! >> >> Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon >> >> >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 We went to the neurologist first---- diagnosis, high functioning autism. Then we went to our regional center to see about getting services for developmental disabilities. I was hoping that we could get speech, or OT, or PT services. There, we were given a diagnosis of Aspegers by the specialists/ doctor / psychologist, and in fact were told that his Aspergers was so mild that they could not give him services.... That being said--- although the milder diagnosis made me FEEL better, I have hung on to the piece of paper from the neurologist stating " autism, " because it's my ticket to getting insurance to pay for the things he needs... hopefully. > My son has Asperger's and from my understanding, the only difference is the > speaking part. If they are delayed in their speech, they are Autistic. If > they have all the other signs, but have no speech problems, or delays, they > are Aspergers. > > > > As far as insurance is concerned, Autistic is the better diagnosis. from my > understanding, they cover more. I guess the media has gotten Autism out > there enough to have insurance companies recognize all the therapies > involved. I'm not finding that to be true with Asperger's. My son is in a > social therapies group and the Autistic kids' moms tell me insurance is > covering their services while my son isn't. Maybe with the revisions in the > DSM that will help. we'll see. > > > > HTH, > > Tera > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 I know you didn't ask me...just thought you might find this article by Tony Attwood to be helpful. BTW, the DSM website indicates that the separate diagnostic term " Asperger's Syndrome " might be going away at the next reprint. :-/ http://www.sacramentoasis.com/docs/8-22-03/as_ & _hfa.pdf > > > > > >> ** > >> > >> > >> Hello everybody. > >> > >> Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the > >> developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of > >> Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So > >> now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is > >> aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? > >> > >> She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, > >> but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the > >> path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. > >> > >> So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? > >> > >> Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. > >> Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and > >> solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and > >> white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he > >> tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be > >> hostile due to his frustration, etc. > >> > >> Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these > >> three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age > >> 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger > >> age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better > >> over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so > >> much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are > >> more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, > >> doesn't speak at all, etc. > >> > >> She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it > >> off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he > >> qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that > >> was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But > >> even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they > >> acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. > >> Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. > >> > >> Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to > >> fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school > >> conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she > >> said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet > >> the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. > >> > >> Any comments greatly appreciated! > >> > >> Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon > >> > >> > >> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 New to this group but I'll throw in an answer on this one -- Some consider aspergers a separate dx but most put it "on the spectrum". Some books will tell you that in adulthood mild autism and aspergers turn out to be the same thing, with the diff being a history of late talking. That is the most optimistic but my son is in ninth grade now and the aspergers kids here have higher IQs and do better academically with less help. One difference I read was that asperger kids are more prone to depression and more unhappy about lack of friends, inability to connect than high functioning autistics (hfa) who tend to be more oblivious to their social standing.My own son is just now starting to complain of lack of friends but I sometimes feel it is for show -- i.e. he knows he should be sad about this but it doesn't actually make him feel sad on a day-to-day basis. Hello everybody. Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has "mild" autism. So now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be hostile due to his frustration, etc. Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, doesn't speak at all, etc. She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. Any comments greatly appreciated! Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Thank you! Oh yes, I forgot about that---- the names for these things are changing... > I know you didn't ask me...just thought you might find this article by Tony Attwood to be helpful. BTW, the DSM website indicates that the separate diagnostic term " Asperger's Syndrome " might be going away at the next reprint. :-/ > > http://www.sacramentoasis.com/docs/8-22-03/as_ & _hfa.pdf > > > >>> >>> >>> >>>> ** >>>> >>>> >>>> Hello everybody. >>>> >>>> Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the >>>> developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of >>>> Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So >>>> now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is >>>> aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? >>>> >>>> She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, >>>> but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the >>>> path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. >>>> >>>> So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? >>>> >>>> Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. >>>> Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and >>>> solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and >>>> white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he >>>> tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be >>>> hostile due to his frustration, etc. >>>> >>>> Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these >>>> three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age >>>> 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger >>>> age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better >>>> over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so >>>> much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are >>>> more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, >>>> doesn't speak at all, etc. >>>> >>>> She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it >>>> off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he >>>> qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that >>>> was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But >>>> even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they >>>> acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. >>>> Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. >>>> >>>> Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to >>>> fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school >>>> conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she >>>> said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet >>>> the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. >>>> >>>> Any comments greatly appreciated! >>>> >>>> Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Aspergers is a form of autism. If you have Aspergers, you have autism. That is one reason that the recommendation is that Aspergers be removed as a separate category. It is simply a part of the autism spectrum. > Interesting. My grandson speaks fluently has a large vocabulary! And we > play this game sometimes where he tells a story from his imagination. He > starts out for example; There once was a little boy, and THEN aliens > came from another planet to his home and took him away, and THEN he went > to Mars, and on Mars he drove a funny little car, and THEN his mom found > he was missing and she called the police, and THEN... He just goes on > and on and I have determined to record his stories and transcribe them > into a children's book but keep forgetting. > > So he has language a lot of language. It does not seem like he spoke > real early however, just a few words up to the age of three. I > personally do not believe this falls into " language delay " however as > some children just take their time learning to talk. For example he > wasn't like his older brother who talked very early and fluently and can > now sing you a half hour rap song he learned off the Internet knowing > every single word from memory. He was always like that. My two oldest > boys were also like that, the first one talked a lot and sang and danced > while second one did not. One became an outgoing performer and musician > on stage entertaining crowds, the other a software engineer working in > an office all day. I think it is simply different personalities. > > So does my grandson have mild autism or Aspergers? Or is he just a > normal kid with his own personality? > > Carolyn > > > Debra Donatto wrote: >> >> >> From what I have researched, the difference between the two is whether >> or not there is and was language. Children with autism have a deficit >> in learning language and using it in forms of communication. >> Children with Asperger's have their language centers intact - though >> may still not know how to engage in social discourse because of social >> deficits (They have the tools, but just do not know how to use them). >> Kids with autism just do not have the tools when it comes to >> language. HFA kids mix up pronouns and grammar even though they may >> be doing well academically in other areas. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 4:47 PM, Carolyn<charper777@... >> > wrote: >> >> >> >> Hello everybody. >> >> Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the >> developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of >> Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So >> now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, >> or is >> aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? >> >> She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, >> but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not >> the >> path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. >> >> So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? >> >> Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. >> Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and >> solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and >> white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions >> socially, he >> tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so >> may be >> hostile due to his frustration, etc. >> >> Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit >> these >> three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far >> at age >> 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a >> younger >> age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get >> better >> over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so >> much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are >> more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, >> doesn't speak at all, etc. >> >> She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it >> off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he >> qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that >> was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get >> one. But >> even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is >> doing they >> acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an >> IEP. >> Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. >> >> Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was >> asked to >> fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her >> school >> conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor >> and she >> said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. >> Yet >> the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. >> >> Any comments greatly appreciated! >> >> Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon >> >> >> > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Thankyou Dr. Bates, I will look into what you have sent. But my grandson is not at all hyperactive. He is very patient and can sit for hours in often times boring and overstimulating situations and simply endure it, also he can work and play on self focused tasks for a long time without outside direction. He can hold his pee or poop all day long at school and wait until he gets home to go, things like that. And I am not new to autism my 47 year old son has had it all of his life. But they never called it that instead called it retardation. He used to be hyperactive could never sit still or sleep even. Was always moving and tearing up things. But then again he was on drugs for epilepsy all this time also, a whole different ball of wax there. Many people have said that each case is uniquely different and I think this is no doubt true. I am interested in a diagnosis so that we will know how to teach him, etc., not sure how much insurance will pay on it as it is not a medical thing where the person needs medical intervention. Carolyn Phil Bate PhD wrote: > > Carolyn (and any others with ADD-Autism), > > First of all realize that there is NO definite " diagnosis of ANY > mental problem, and autism is perhaps the worst, because of so many > symptoms present in each individual. But, this is also the case for > depression and others. Diagnosing is for strictly insurance payments > today, and may or may not be relevant. > > So, you are asking the question " how high is up " , and each " expert " > will have a different answer. However, on the continuum of ADD to > Autism, your grandson sounds like closer to ADD/ADHD, and that's good. > > Do yourself a huge favor, and go to > http://drbate.com/content/integrated.shtml That is an article on > " normalizing " autism using four " at home " therapies. (Autism doesn't > have to be a bankruptcy disease for the family). > > And, if you are " new " to autism, you may want to do research at > http://drbate.com/alternateTherapies.shtml That article will give you > information and URL's for many different therapies (good and bad) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 I am curious about what you said, " they were two very distinct diagnoses and could occur side by side. " I would like to hear more about that in the future. Seems to be some confusion there. And Yes we are exposing him to many different things and many of them he's been quite apprehensive to at first but has slowly assimilated to as he has gotten older. We've seen great gains in him compared to how he was before so that is quite encouraging to see. Seems he just needed more time to get adjusted. Carolyn mvahopkins wrote: > > Re: I have a question... > > My son was diagnosed at age 7 as very high functioning autistic > because he met 7 of 12 markers. However, there was never a language > delay. In fact, like his older brother, he was an early talker and > very intelligent and insightful. He could tell me, " I feel sad. " " I > feel angry. " " I am afraid, " His extremely mature verbal abilities made > us doubtful about the diagnosis at first. He was always very social > and he has a very high IQ. He was also rigid and he had difficulties > with social cues and pragmatic language. The pragmatic language was > not as apparent until he started school. When he started interacting > with more children and was placed in more challenging social > situations, his disability became more noticeable. > > The autism diagnosis has given him the " GO " card to get many more > school services than he would have received had the doctors labeled > him aspergers. Is he aspergers? Yes. Is he autistic, Yes. > > One doctor we saw told us aspergers is just a very high functioning > autistic, while another told us they were two very distinct diagnoses > and could occur side by side. > > My son is now 12 and that diagnosis has given him many services. He > now attends a middle school www.thespringstoneschool.org for kids with > executive function issues of all kinds and our school district pays > for it. He is in a small class of 8 students--social skills, OT, etc > are built into the program. Most of the kdis at this school are > aspergers or PD NOS, some more autistic, some NV LD. Next year he will > transfer to a college prep school for aspergers kids. He could attend > our neighborhood high school, but why would I do that when he can have > so much personal attention in the smaller setting. My 15 year old > would LOVE to have the accomodations his brother receives. > > Many of the school districts in our area will simply try to keep the > asperger's kids in general ed and give them some accomodations. We > found this did not work well, especially starting in 4th grade where > the class size doubles. Our district then tried to place my son in a > Spectrum collaborative classroom (8 kids combined grades 3-5, teacher > and 3-4 aides). These kids had many more autistic traits and behaviors > and my son was the only one attending inclusion classes (in a general > ed classroom with an aide) for academic classes, returning to the > Spectrum class for social skills and speech. Once he was ready for > middle school, we quickly moved him out of the Spectrum program, > because he was mimicking the quirky behaviors. Now that he is with > other kids who are more like him, he has many friends, is happy and is > FINALLY getting academically challenged. There is a Spectrum > collaborative classroom at my older son's high school. Many of the > kids attend the general ed classes with an aide, but they stand out. > My 12 yr old is very sensitive to how he is perceived so he enjoys the > privacy of a smaller setting. > > I encourage you to expose Lucas (gently, of course) to many different, > foods, things, people and places to try and offset his natural > tendency to become rigid. Give him lots of transition time and explain > everything in advance to ward off anxiety. Back off when he needs you > to. We used a 5 words or less rule in talking to our son. Keep it > simple. Also, followed the 8-second rule....don't expect an immediate > response...allow 8 seconds for processing. : ) > > My 12 year old has come a long way from when he was diagnosed at age > 5. Every child's journey is unique. I wish your family the best in > guiding Lucas. > > > > > > Hello everybody. > > > > Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the > > developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of > > Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So > > now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is > > aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? > > > > She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, > > but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the > > path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. > > > > So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? > > > > Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. > > Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and > > solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and > > white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he > > tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so > may be > > hostile due to his frustration, etc. > > > > Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these > > three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at > age > > 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a > younger > > age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better > > over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so > > much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are > > more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, > > doesn't speak at all, etc. > > > > She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it > > off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he > > qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that > > was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But > > even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing > they > > acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. > > Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. > > > > Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to > > fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school > > conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and > she > > said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet > > the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. > > > > Any comments greatly appreciated! > > > > Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Interesting, . We seem to fall into the " oblivious to their social standing " category. > New to this group but I'll throw in an answer on this one -- > Some consider aspergers a separate dx but most put it " on the > spectrum " . Some books will tell you that in adulthood mild autism and > aspergers turn out to be the same thing, with the diff being a history > of late talking. That is the most optimistic but my son is in ninth > grade now and the aspergers kids here have higher IQs and do better > academically with less help. > > One difference I read was that asperger kids are more prone to > depression and more unhappy about lack of friends, inability to > connect than high functioning autistics (hfa) who tend to be more > oblivious to their social standing. > > My own son is just now starting to complain of lack of friends but I > sometimes feel it is for show -- i.e. he knows he should be sad about > this but it doesn't actually make him feel sad on a day-to-day basis. > > > > >> Hello everybody. >> >> Well my daughter and I have just returned from the meeting with the >> developmental pediatrician and after all her questions and testing of >> Lucas in two previous visits she has decided he has " mild " autism. So >> now I don't know if mild autism means he actually has aspergers, or is >> aspergers a spectrum all unto itself? >> >> She never did mention the term aspergers. I mentioned it to her once, >> but she did not respond to me so I didn't push her as this was not the >> path she was going down, just wanted to stress the mild autism. >> >> So I am asking you guys..? Is mild autism aspergers? >> >> Other than that she explained autism has three components; 1. >> Communication, he talked late. 2. How he interprets his world and >> solves problems, is very rigid and sees things literally in black and >> white, there is no middle ground. 3. And how he functions socially, he >> tends to not be able to understand social cues in others, etc. so may be >> hostile due to his frustration, etc. >> >> Lucas has many examples of his behavior and personality that fit these >> three components. But also he seems to be getting along ok so far at age >> 7 and does seem to be overcoming a lot of the traits he had at a younger >> age. I did ask would he get worse, and she said no he would get better >> over time. Doesn't seem to be what I have heard here in this group so >> much, but is it because he is mild and many of the children here are >> more severe? I have a grown son who I guess would be VERY severe, >> doesn't speak at all, etc. >> >> She asked if he had an IEP and the school has been trying to pass it >> off that the initial evaluation he had last spring to see if he >> qualified for special services is the IEP! I told my daughter no that >> was not an IEP, but an initial indication that he needs to get one. But >> even at her last conference with the teacher to see how he is doing they >> acted like they were doing what was on the IEP and there is NOT an IEP. >> Guess they are thinking it is a verbal thing and not in writing. >> >> Oh yes and doctor did not have the test results the school was asked to >> fax to her yet. My daughter even went in there last week at her school >> conference and asked them why they had not sent it to the doctor and she >> said the secretary was defensive, but then said she would send it. Yet >> the doctor had not received it. Good we brought copies today. >> >> Any comments greatly appreciated! >> >> Carolyn, a grandma in Oregon >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 I believe there is a difference. When my daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers it was always called that. We went throught the DSM IV for " Aspergers " line by line. > > Hi, I have a question. My son has Aspergers and ADHD. Currently he > is on medical leave from school and attending a partial care program > to work on his social skills, tantrums, and his following directions. > He returns to school on April 27th. I however don't want him to > return to the school he was in, last year when they suspected he had > PDD, and he had a definate diagnosis of ADHD, a teacher grabbed my son > by his neck, trying to make him focus or at least that is what he > claimed the reason was. The school also informed me in front of my > son's case manager that they enforce physical restraint " when needed " . > I am currenly searching for a lawyer on that matter. My question is, > does anyone know of any schools in Pennsylvania, more specifically the > Philadelphia area, that are more catered to Aspergers? I have heard > that there are schools in Central Bucks County that are for children > with Aspergers, but noone seems to know any names. I need to start > pushing for his admission into a school more suited towards him soon, > otherwise the Philadelphia School District wants to mainstream him, > which is fine because he is smart enough, but the school he is in > doesn't have the resources he needs, and if I get him bussed to > another, he could end up in a really bad area, and there are plenty of > those in Philadelphia. I thank you for any help you can offer. Have > a Happy and Safe New Year. > Sharon > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Hi Sharon: Have you called these folks at all? Maybe they have online forums too... The Bucks County Autism Support Coalition http://www.bcasc.org/ Sharing and Caring of Bucks County A Non-profit Organization and Support Group for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Autism / PDD-NOS / Asperger's / Mental Retardation / Related Neurological Disabilities http://www.sharingcaringbuckscounty.org/ Was your son in a mainstream class before this medical leave? Mine has to be moved into a smaller class setting and goes mainstream for most of the day but is in the smaller setting for his sensory activities, lunch and recess too. It's not " life skills " but what they are calling locally (Texas), " social adjustment class " - it does address behaviors but this is not the district's " behavior class " but a special ed class that teaches coping skills. I'd call the head of the special education department to ask about the types of settings they offer. A college friend of mine is an Assistant Superintendent for the Boyertown Area school district. I can ask him if he has any info too, if you'd like me to do so. Hope you get it all squared away... > > > > Hi, I have a question. My son has Aspergers and ADHD. Currently he > > is on medical leave from school and attending a partial care program > > to work on his social skills, tantrums, and his following directions. > > He returns to school on April 27th. I however don't want him to > > return to the school he was in, last year when they suspected he had > > PDD, and he had a definate diagnosis of ADHD, a teacher grabbed my son > > by his neck, trying to make him focus or at least that is what he > > claimed the reason was. The school also informed me in front of my > > son's case manager that they enforce physical restraint " when needed " . > > I am currenly searching for a lawyer on that matter. My question is, > > does anyone know of any schools in Pennsylvania, more specifically the > > Philadelphia area, that are more catered to Aspergers? I have heard > > that there are schools in Central Bucks County that are for children > > with Aspergers, but noone seems to know any names. I need to start > > pushing for his admission into a school more suited towards him soon, > > otherwise the Philadelphia School District wants to mainstream him, > > which is fine because he is smart enough, but the school he is in > > doesn't have the resources he needs, and if I get him bussed to > > another, he could end up in a really bad area, and there are plenty of > > those in Philadelphia. I thank you for any help you can offer. Have > > a Happy and Safe New Year. > > Sharon > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.