Re: AS versus Autism

[Guest guest]

On an IEP, there are limited classifactions they can use. One of these

is Autism. Other possibilities are SLI (speech/language impaired) or

OHI (which is other health impaired). In preschool, I think they can

use " developmental delay " . Initially, my daughter was DD in preschool,

then SLI through 3rd grade, and re-classified as Autism Spectrum

Disorder in 4th. But her re-eval along with the IEP discusses the

possibility of AS along with AS rating scales. It gets her the services

she needs.

Though the usual perception of autism is low-functioning kids, our

local autism society has kids all along the spectrum and activities for

all of them. I think has learned about all kinds of kids, and she

feels very comfortable with most of them. She always has a " hi " or a

smile for the non-verbal kids, and while some of the " stimming " of some

kids was at first a bit upsetting to her, I think it's good to expose

her to it to help her be more accepting. We've enjoyed day camp,

overnite camp, private movie showings, visits to the children's museum,

playgroups, etc. And all the parents there are so accepting and you

don't have to worry about dirty looks or reactions to your child

expounding (at length) about their latest obsession. Everyone w/kids on

the spectrum has challenges and you may be surprised what you find.

-- In , " ttfndj " <ttfndj@...> wrote:

>

> Please tell me if I am splitting hairs, being overprotective, or in

> denial - I am a newbie with a small attitude problem.

>

> The elementary school insists on saying has autism instead of

> AS. The school system does not recognize AS, and umbrellas it under

> autism.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm jumping in late, so if this has been said, ignore it. I was told that

aspergers is not recognized as a reason to receive services as the

government understands it. In order for my daughter to receive her TSS, MT

and BSC, she must be listed as autistic, not aspergers. If her paperwork

says aspergers, no support. Since aspergers is listed under the ASD

umbrella, the sytem uses autism inorder to provide services and get

reimbursed.

Stef

[Guest guest]

They labled my daughter as having a " non-verbal learning disorder " at school. I

sometimes worry she doesn't get all the help she could, but things seem to be

going ok so far.

Take care,

Sheryl

---------------------------------

Check out the all-new beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get

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[Guest guest]

We just did that on January 2nd. So I'm hoping that the school will

help, although, I'm not hopeful.

kathyJo

>

> > Now where I live it's the oppisite, the school reconizes autisim but

> > NOT AS. My adopted daughter has AS, RAD, FAS, and dysgraphia, and the

> > public school gives her NO help at all. I have to pay for outside

> > theorapy. Schools are werid.

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree because at the moment they would really have to change the criteria for

AS diagnosis for my son to fit it. He has struggled with speech and was pretty

much non verbal for much if his toddlerhood. Even now at six he has problems

with speech and has the verbal ability of a two and half year old. So he

wouldn't fit the diagnosis for AS. He doesn't however have a low IQ although it

is in the lower end of normal. Perhaps if he was assessed in a few years when

his language came along he would be diagnosed AS. He also has no gross motor

problems.

I don't think that you can say imo that AS and Autism are not similar. They are

both neurological disorders where the brain has difficulty processing stimuli

and information. AS and HFA are really the upper end of the spectrum where the

problems don't interfere with everyday living as much as they do in classic

Autism.

Beck

Re: ( ) AS versus Autism

I have read some but not all of the posts on this topic. I am frustrated

myself not only by

the public school's system for classification but also by the widespread

confusion in our

own community. The thing is you can get a different answer it all depends on

who you ask.

Like may other areas of medicine / psychiatry no everyone agrees, not even the

so called

experts. What is one to do?

I hope we can all agree that no one here is " absolutely right " when they

answer this

question. After all if the experts can't all agree than maybe we can agree to

disagree. I

would like to share my insight but please understand that this is my opinion

and it might

not be 100% correct. I state this now because I obviously believe what I think

to be correct

in my eyes and do not want anyone to feel they have to believe it or accept it

as fact.

If HFA and AS were in fact the same thing then why do they have a different

set of

criteria?? Maybe the problem here is that the medical community has

misdiagnosed people

into one when the truly belonged in the other.

I am an autodidact by nature so when my son was diagnosed with AS I set out to

learn all

that I could. I have read well over 30 medical/psychological journals;

somewhere between

50 and 75 books as well as searched endlessly on the web. I have taken notes

and

compiled thoughts until they meshed. I have outlined where in this mess of

information

my son truly fit (no one fits perfectly but as closely as possible).

Everything I have read

about HFA and AS makes it very clear to me that they are in fact two different

diagnosis.

They are both considered part of the spectrum (the spectrum is just a grouping

of like

diagnosis including AS, HFA, PPD-NOS), they both have similar overlapping

areas and they

can present in a similar way. BUT there is a good reason that some

developmental experts

believe that AS has more in common with NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder) than

it does

with HFA.

Some people believe that a true AS person is not autistic at all. That it is

their sensory

processing problems, which they both share, which is the major reason they are

grouped

together. And there are those who think that the spectrum should be widened to

include

AS and NLD. But widening the spectrum is in fact changing it and will cause a

lot more

problems than it will solve. That is why we are where we are.

There are also people who through treatments such as dietary and detoxifying

have

completely or almost completely " recovered " from their autistic symptoms.

Although this

did not seem to help my son where do those whom it did work fit? If they no

longer have

the symptoms and issues shared by ASD people are they even in the spectrum

anymore?

I don't want to post too much longer right here but I would love to take the

time to outline

both HFA and AS later to show why I believe what I believe.

But I would like to point out that My son who has AS does not fit into the HFA

category. He

does however fit into the AS ... or should I say AG (Asperger's gifted)

category. The school

having labeled him Autistic tried to use there traditional approach with a

spectrum child.

Boy was that the wrong approach! After my son suffering at his school for 8

months we

pulled him out to Homeschool. Best choice I ever made! He will never go back

to our local

public schools again. We might do a private school when he is older if he

wants to.

Regardless of his label he needs real life experiences to grow and learn from.

not the

institutionalized " pear groups " that everyone keeps telling me he needs at

school. Only in

school will you be surrounded by people your exact age and be doing the exact

same

thing. In real life our kids need to learn how to function among multi-age and

multi-able

people. But I digress...

We all have to do what we can and what we think is best for our children.

Isn't it great that

we can agree and disagree with each other and still learn. I love reading

posts from people

who themselves have been through the issues facing my son.

>

> I am new at this as well, you said that AS and Autism spectrum, their

> are so many differences. How so?

> I thought that AS was just a very high functioning Autistic child but

> I believe I am wrong.

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

Another problem si that many people have no idea what AS is but when you say

Autism they understand that you have a disability and seem to be more adaptable

to help with your needs. At least that had been my experience.

Beck

( ) Re: AS versus Autism

Well...I always felt my son (almost age 18) had autistic traits. He

was diagnosed with HFA/Aspergers. So " autism " comes to mind for me.

I just say it (Aspergers) is on the autism spectrum when someone

hasn't heard of it.

I know what you are saying about others understanding, thinking lower-

functioning.... With my previous job as office support at a local

mental health center, the case managers I typed for had mostly

clients with at least an MR diagnosis. Some had other diagnoses.

And some had " autism. " One had an HFA diagnosis. Well - when I was

given HFA as a possible diagnosis for , I was like, " WHAT??

no, I think he has Aspergers! " But - that was because the person I

knew of with HFA was so different from . I had to be reminded

that it is a " long " spectrum, even in the same diagnosis name; that

some people are on the lower end, some higher, traits & degrees

affected by traits differ with each person.... We ended up with

HFA/Aspergers for . The sticking point there was they felt he

had a language delay, I didn't. So the official report gave both.

has been labeled in school as gifted/LD.

OK - I cheerfully disagree and I am fine with my son being put under

the heading of autism with his ASyn diagnosis.

single mom, 3 sons

>

> Please tell me if I am splitting hairs, being overprotective, or in

> denial - I am a newbie with a small attitude problem.

>

> The elementary school insists on saying has autism instead of

> AS. The school system does not recognize AS, and umbrellas it

under

> autism.

>

> The major majority of today's society understands autism as a low-

> functioning, sometimes non-verbal disorder. This does not define my

> son.

[Guest guest]

That was great Mark, you summed it up beautifully. It's just like different

degrees of food intolerance, it's different for each person but the reactions

are similar and it's all food intolerance. Wow that was the worst analogy ever

written. LOL

beck

( ) Re: AS versus Autism

Deej,

First, you should have a doctor certify his diagnosis. This would

clear up some of your questions.

Second, the issue of Asperger or Autism. Just so you know, Asperger

is part of the Autism spectrum. It is very much like High-

functioning Autism (HFA) and also similar to PDD-NOS. I am not an

expert, but I have seen schools give various labels for those in the

spectrum.

I love being part of the Autism spectrum for my son. Asperger is so

few if you were to not count us as part of the Autism spectrum. I

have seen numbers that we are 1 in 500. Autism is more like 1 in 200.

My opinion is that you really need to be open about this. I am an

older Asperger father and I attend many Autism events. We are

included in the Autism family.

As you will see as your child grows up, you will be seeking many of

the same benefits for HFA. You will love being in this family.

Asperger families would be swallowed up and have almost no voice if

not for the Autism spectrum. I just watched a Texas Capitol Hearing

for Autism/PDD and Asperger is clearly part of the world we live and

advocate in.

We are fortunate to be in this family. Another thing Deej, you need

to be extremely careful in saying what you are saying. Autism is

such a sensitive matter for all in the spectrum. Some of the best

families I know have classic Autism, and by trying to maintain a

seperation, we hurt our cause and our hope for our loved ones.

I truly respect you and appreciate your feelings. I know, because my

son is Asperger. I know you are trying to seek clarification. Keep

studying, you will find that we, Asperger, is in the Autism

spectrum. Also, it is known as ASD.

Mark

Carrollton, Texas

>

> Please tell me if I am splitting hairs, being overprotective, or in

> denial - I am a newbie with a small attitude problem.

>

> The elementary school insists on saying has autism instead of

> AS. The schol system does not recognize AS, and umbrellas it under

> autism.

>

> The major majority of today's society understands autism as a low-

> functioning, sometimes non-verbal disorder. This does not define my

> son.

>

> I feel that if AS is different enough from autism to be given its

own

> name, then the school should honor my request and not describe

> as autistic.

>

> We don't look at an apple and call it pear. Yes, they are both

> fruit, they both grow on trees, and have seeds and stems. They

even

> have the same growing season. But one is still an apple and the

other

> is still a pear.

>

> Our children have Asperger's. Whether you call it Asperger's

> Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome doesn't matter. But please don't

> call it Autism. If it is different enough to warrant it's own

name,

> then the name should be used.

>

> No? Comments?

>

> And as a clarification, by no means do I feel that AS children

> are " better " than autistic children...just different in their

> uniqueness.

>

> Deej Tasker

>

[Guest guest]

Stef you are spot on when it comes to getting services in Australia any way.

The only way to get the department of Education here to even consider a child

for funding is to write Autism. Then they assess the case on real need and not

percieved need. AS just gets funding denied from the start.

Beck

Re: ( ) Re: AS versus Autism

I'm jumping in late, so if this has been said, ignore it. I was told that

aspergers is not recognized as a reason to receive services as the

government understands it. In order for my daughter to receive her TSS, MT

and BSC, she must be listed as autistic, not aspergers. If her paperwork

says aspergers, no support. Since aspergers is listed under the ASD

umbrella, the sytem uses autism inorder to provide services and get

reimbursed.

Stef

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/17/2007 5:42:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,

ttfndj@... writes:

No? Comments?

My state recognizes Asperger's in their state regulations, not just autistic

(as an eligibility category). I'm in Rhode Island. Pam

[Guest guest]

The most recent diagnosis from the psychologist doing her reevaluation for

services is PDD with ADD tendencies. That's for internal purposes. The

paperwork for the government still states autism. That has never changed.

I was told it will always state that for reimbursement means. I wish they

could list it differently to effectively state where your child is. To me

it seems to be false reporting. Wouldn't that misrepresent autism for

reporting purposes statistically? Or do they just think of it as a way to

cover everyone under the umbrella of what is listed as an ASD? My

daughter's BSC said it took decades to even have Asperger's listed in the

diagnostic literature. He said he's not expecting accurate diagnostic

coding in his lifetime. He said part of the problem is since no two ASD

kids are the same, doctors use different diagnosis's for the same thing. He

said he supposes to look at the good of it. Kids are getting the help they

need until the system can be made better.

Stef

Re: ( ) Re: AS versus Autism

>

>

> I'm jumping in late, so if this has been said, ignore it. I was told

that

> aspergers is not recognized as a reason to receive services as the

> government understands it. In order for my daughter to receive her TSS,

MT

> and BSC, she must be listed as autistic, not aspergers. If her paperwork

> says aspergers, no support. Since aspergers is listed under the ASD

> umbrella, the sytem uses autism inorder to provide services and get

> reimbursed.

>

> Stef

[Guest guest]

Wow! What city/state is that in?

Liz S <lizs.1234@...> wrote: My school system has a special class

specifically for AS kids in each grade level. It's taught by a special ed

teacher and has a permanent assistant in the room. We must be really lucky to

have this! However, at this time we are not using this class for our son. But

it's nice to know it's there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in

the US had this as an option.

brandy felty <nicksmom25@...> wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my

son out of school and homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning

children but had nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what

my son needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain because I

have been there.

---------------------------------

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

[Guest guest]

Houston, TX. Spring Branch Independent School District. Wanna move to Houston?

I don't know if my son will need it or not. He's doing so-so in the regular

class right now (1st grade). They think he should stay with the mainstream

group as long as it works well enough.

cglobal.net> wrote:

Wow! What city/state is that in?

Liz S <lizs.1234@...> wrote: My school system has a special class

specifically for AS kids in each grade level. It's taught by a special ed

teacher and has a permanent assistant in the room. We must be really lucky to

have this! However, at this time we are not using this class for our son. But

it's nice to know it's there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in

the US had this as an option.

brandy felty <nicksmom25@...> wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my

son out of school and homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning

children but had nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what

my son needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain because I

have been there.

---------------------------------

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

[Guest guest]

Well, darn it, can't move to Houston but it sure would be nice if all school's

had that. Just to at least know the option is available. My son goes to a

learning center in the school sometimes but it would be nice if there was a

class specifically for AS.

Liz S <lizs.1234@...> wrote: Houston, TX. Spring Branch

Independent School District. Wanna move to Houston? I don't know if my son will

need it or not. He's doing so-so in the regular class right now (1st grade).

They think he should stay with the mainstream group as long as it works well

enough.

cglobal.net> wrote:

Wow! What city/state is that in?

Liz S <lizs.1234@...> wrote: My school system has a special class

specifically for AS kids in each grade level. It's taught by a special ed

teacher and has a permanent assistant in the room. We must be really lucky to

have this! However, at this time we are not using this class for our son. But

it's nice to know it's there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in

the US had this as an option.

brandy felty <nicksmom25@...> wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my

son out of school and homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning

children but had nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what

my son needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain because I

have been there.

---------------------------------

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

[Guest guest]

can someone send the link for animal school again?

Liz S <lizs.1234@...> wrote: Houston, TX. Spring Branch

Independent School District. Wanna move to Houston? I don't know if my son will

need it or not. He's doing so-so in the regular class right now (1st grade).

They think he should stay with the mainstream group as long as it works well

enough.

cglobal.net> wrote:

Wow! What city/state is that in?

Liz S <lizs.1234@...> wrote: My school system has a special class

specifically for AS kids in each grade level. It's taught by a special ed

teacher and has a permanent assistant in the room. We must be really lucky to

have this! However, at this time we are not using this class for our son. But

it's nice to know it's there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in

the US had this as an option.

brandy felty <nicksmom25@...> wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my

son out of school and homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning

children but had nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what

my son needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain because I

have been there.

---------------------------------

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

The experts are still fighting on " whether it should be in the

autistic spectrum or not. " My son has aspergers or " high functioning

autism " which I don't like either. We have special ed teachers in

our school system as well. My son is not in any special education

classes because he is very bright.

My son was diagnosed this year though the school system and I have

been working with him for the past two years as aspergers. I gave

the school the diagnosis report when we received it last year.

I just called the school last week and requested a 504. She set up

an appointment for the end of January. I don't know if your child

needs special education or a 504 plan. It depends on what your child

needs. What would you like to see accomplished at school for your

child?

>

> Please tell me if I am splitting hairs, being overprotective, or

in

> denial - I am a newbie with a small attitude problem.

>

> The elementary school insists on saying has autism instead

of

> AS. The school system does not recognize AS, and umbrellas it

under

> autism.

>

> The major majority of today's society understands autism as a low-

> functioning, sometimes non-verbal disorder. This does not define

my

> son.

>

> I feel that if AS is different enough from autism to be given its

own

> name, then the school should honor my request and not describe

> as autistic.

>

> We don't look at an apple and call it pear. Yes, they are both

> fruit, they both grow on trees, and have seeds and stems. They

even

> have the same growing season. But one is still an apple and the

other

> is still a pear.

>

> Our children have Asperger's. Whether you call it Asperger's

> Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome doesn't matter. But please don't

> call it Autism. If it is different enough to warrant it's own

name,

> then the name should be used.

>

> No? Comments?

>

> And as a clarification, by no means do I feel that AS children

> are " better " than autistic children...just different in their

> uniqueness.

>

> Deej Tasker

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you're in a good school. Personally, I think it's important

for our kids to be in the mainstream as much as possible. It helps the

learn coping skills. Life isn't segregated, so why should school be?

Tonya

Re: ( ) AS versus Autism

Houston, TX. Spring Branch Independent School District. Wanna move to

Houston? I don't know if my son will need it or not. He's doing so-so in

the regular class right now (1st grade). They think he should stay with

the mainstream group as long as it works well enough.

cglobal.net> wrote:

Wow! What city/state is that in?

Liz S <lizs.1234 (DOT) <mailto:lizs.1234%40> com> wrote: My

school system has a special class specifically for AS kids in each grade

level. It's taught by a special ed teacher and has a permanent assistant

in the room. We must be really lucky to have this! However, at this time

we are not using this class for our son. But it's nice to know it's

there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in the US had this

as an option.

brandy felty <nicksmom25 (DOT) <mailto:nicksmom25%40> com>

wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my son out of school and

homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning children but had

nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what my son

needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain because I

have been there.

---------------------------------

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

[Guest guest]

-

I also agree that our children need to be in the mainstream as much

as possible. My son is now almost 11 and he has always been in the

regular classroom and it has worked out fine. He has mild asperger's

and he is above average intelligence so it would not be doing him

any good to put him in special ed classes. These children have

social problems and it does them good to be with other peers.

Claudine

-- In , " Tonya Hettler " <txua@...>

wrote:

>

> Sounds like you're in a good school. Personally, I think it's

important

> for our kids to be in the mainstream as much as possible. It

helps the

> learn coping skills. Life isn't segregated, so why should school

be?

>

> Tonya

>

> Re: ( ) AS versus Autism

>

> Houston, TX. Spring Branch Independent School District. Wanna move

to

> Houston? I don't know if my son will need it or not. He's doing so-

so in

> the regular class right now (1st grade). They think he should stay

with

> the mainstream group as long as it works well enough.

>

>

> cglobal.net> wrote:

> Wow! What city/state is that in?

>

> Liz S <lizs.1234 (DOT) <mailto:lizs.1234%40> com> wrote:

My

> school system has a special class specifically for AS kids in each

grade

> level. It's taught by a special ed teacher and has a permanent

assistant

> in the room. We must be really lucky to have this! However, at

this time

> we are not using this class for our son. But it's nice to know it's

> there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in the US

had this

> as an option.

>

> brandy felty <nicksmom25 (DOT) <mailto:nicksmom25%40>

com>

> wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my son out of school and

> homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning children but

had

> nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what my

son

> needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain

because I

> have been there.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

> in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know it's best for him to be in the regular class. I really understand the

reasoning for this....BUT......sometimes I secretly wish he was in the

Asperger's class. He is very bright & his Asperger's in on the milder side so I

think he'll soon be able to see the social differences between himself & his

classmates. When I visit his class to volunteer for parties he is obviously

different socially. I'm just sooooo worried about what will happen to his

spirit when he see's that other kids don't respond favorably to him. He starts

social skills class tomorrow so we are working to help improve his social

skills. Sometimes I just think how great life would be for him without all the

social pressures he's about to face. I remember how cruel kids can be.

gcpsolson <claudine.olson@...> wrote: -

I also agree that our children need to be in the mainstream as much

as possible. My son is now almost 11 and he has always been in the

regular classroom and it has worked out fine. He has mild asperger's

and he is above average intelligence so it would not be doing him

any good to put him in special ed classes. These children have

social problems and it does them good to be with other peers.

Claudine

-- In , " Tonya Hettler " <txua@...>

wrote:

>

> Sounds like you're in a good school. Personally, I think it's

important

> for our kids to be in the mainstream as much as possible. It

helps the

> learn coping skills. Life isn't segregated, so why should school

be?

>

> Tonya

>

> Re: ( ) AS versus Autism

>

> Houston, TX. Spring Branch Independent School District. Wanna move

to

> Houston? I don't know if my son will need it or not. He's doing so-

so in

> the regular class right now (1st grade). They think he should stay

with

> the mainstream group as long as it works well enough.

>

>

> cglobal.net> wrote:

> Wow! What city/state is that in?

>

> Liz S <lizs.1234 (DOT) <mailto:lizs.1234%40> com> wrote:

My

> school system has a special class specifically for AS kids in each

grade

> level. It's taught by a special ed teacher and has a permanent

assistant

> in the room. We must be really lucky to have this! However, at

this time

> we are not using this class for our son. But it's nice to know it's

> there for him if he ever needs it! I wish all AS kids in the US

had this

> as an option.

>

> brandy felty <nicksmom25 (DOT) <mailto:nicksmom25%40>

com>

> wrote: This is one of the reasons I took my son out of school and

> homeschool him. They have classes for low functioning children but

had

> nothing for a child with AS. There is a big difference in what my

son

> needs and what they were willing to provide! I feel your pain

because I

> have been there.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

> in the Answers Food & Drink Q & A.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Please note that there are a lot of kids who are really bright and are in sped.

Having a learning disability does not mean one has a lower IQ. I have a ds who

scores in the 99%ile and is in sped. It's for people who need help learning a

different way or need help improving in one or several areas of deficit.

Also realize that being in sped does not mean a room down the hall. Sped is a

service and not a place. My ds is now in regular education for his day except

for pull outs once a day for tutoring. Some kids are in regular classes and

pull out for the class they have a problem in. Also, where some kids do not

need sped services in the lower grades they may end up needing them as they get

older.

Roxanna

( ) Re: AS versus Autism

Hello,

The experts are still fighting on " whether it should be in the

autistic spectrum or not. " My son has aspergers or " high functioning

autism " which I don't like either. We have special ed teachers in

our school system as well. My son is not in any special education

classes because he is very bright.

My son was diagnosed this year though the school system and I have

been working with him for the past two years as aspergers. I gave

the school the diagnosis report when we received it last year.

I just called the school last week and requested a 504. She set up

an appointment for the end of January. I don't know if your child

needs special education or a 504 plan. It depends on what your child

needs. What would you like to see accomplished at school for your

child?

>

> Please tell me if I am splitting hairs, being overprotective, or

in

> denial - I am a newbie with a small attitude problem.

>

> The elementary school insists on saying has autism instead

of

> AS. The school system does not recognize AS, and umbrellas it

under

> autism.

>

> The major majority of today's society understands autism as a low-

> functioning, sometimes non-verbal disorder. This does not define

my

> son.

>

> I feel that if AS is different enough from autism to be given its

own

> name, then the school should honor my request and not describe

> as autistic.

>

> We don't look at an apple and call it pear. Yes, they are both

> fruit, they both grow on trees, and have seeds and stems. They

even

> have the same growing season. But one is still an apple and the

other

> is still a pear.

>

> Our children have Asperger's. Whether you call it Asperger's

> Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome doesn't matter. But please don't

> call it Autism. If it is different enough to warrant it's own

name,

> then the name should be used.

>

> No? Comments?

>

> And as a clarification, by no means do I feel that AS children

> are " better " than autistic children...just different in their

> uniqueness.

>

> Deej Tasker

>

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