Questions for Parents. How much do you know about Asperger's Syndrome?

Atsperger's Syndrome is high functioning Autism. While there are common characteristics of Asperger's no two are exactly alike. Most people with A.S. have average to above average IQ. Some are very intelligent. A.S. did not begin to get diagnosed until the early 90's even though the term was first coined in Germany in the 40's. While the average individual off the street is not capable of diagnosing AS, let me say as a mom of two AS boys once you live with it you can see it a mile away. Having said that ....only a doctor can diagnose it after ruling out other possible causes for the the behaviors. If you are concerned that your child may be autistic you need to contact his pediatrician and begin seeing a psychologist to have IQ and achievment testing done, as well as an AS score to determine the likelihood that it is AS. Your child's friend's parent may have thought they were helping or they may have had other motives...regardless they are not a doctor, are they? If your child has AS it is not the worst thing that could happen. They think Einstein had AS , perhaps Bill Gates and many other wealthy or intelligent people. There are some things you would notice from early on like delays in fine or gross motor skills, talking like an adult, being very focused on one interest and knowing everything about it but not being able to switch gears and stop talking about it. There are numerous websites, but consider the source when you start looking for info. You should also know that if your child has AS then early diagnosis is important. Once you know what the problem is you can begin therapy to help him with his issues. I have read some of the other responses like "it's an excuse for poor social skills" and they are stuck with a label their whole life BUT what you need to remember is if you had a physical illness you could not treat it without knowing the cause. Once you realize why the behave the way they do and how they see the world you can often find ways to help them overcome so many of the issues. For example : They often appear rude because they have trouble making eye contact but you can teach them to look at the persons eye brows and fool people into thinking they are making eye contact. You can also help them understand why they think the way they do so they can begin to consciously control some of the behaviors. My son at 6 learned to tell himself....it's my AS that makes me want to keep talking about this animal but right now it is time to listen to my teacher so I have to fight it and focus on her. Another common myth is they are apathetic towards others but often the problem is that they are so overwhelmed with empathy that they close off to avoid the r;ush of emotion they have trouble dealing with.

I know plenty about aspergers. I have a 9 yr old daughter who has autism. I've done plenty of reading on the subject. I've even seen Tony Attwood live! I personally know two kids who have aspergers, and know of a third These three boys I know are all different. On very studious, serious, and has poor social skills, but is interested in how to aquire them. He has the "professor speak" and is very intelligent. He would start a conversation like this.."Hey Kathi, can I ask you a question? Do you like Raisin Bran?" Upon hearing my answer he would reply " I don't...I wonder why Australian currency has such different pictures and denominations than money from England?" He is in all mainstream classes. Another was like a big gangly goofy puppy. Very clumsy, easily frustrated, over reactive in a very outgoing way, both positive and negative. He knew his reactions were over the top and not alwasy appropriate, but he didn't care. He was very good in math, extremely frustrated with handwriting, and loved to follow around anyone doing something technical so he could learn. Even if he didn't know what they were doing, he would try to help and tell them how to do it. He LOVED technology. He also had pretty poor social skills, but this boy, had he had a more supportive family and earlier diagnosis, could have made amazing progress. He was in self contained classes. The third has more anxiety, is very self aware of his aspergers and how it affects him, and understands when he needs "time alone" to center himself. He's been home schooled for a few years as Jr HIgh was too taxing on him. He's now in high school, in self contained classes, and doing really well. If the parent of one of my childs friends told me their child had aspergers, I'd say "welcome to the club, he/she'll fit right in at our house. My youngest daughter has autism, so the symptoms/behaviors associated with aspergers are very familiar to us. I probably would have already picked it out if the child had spent any amount of time at our house. Regarding Bill Gates. Has he ever said "I have aspergers" or has he been formally diagnosed? NO, but people who don't know him, and who are not experts in diagnosing aspergers believe they can diagnose him from a distance. I would think that if Bill Gates really had aspergers, he could be a great spokesman and help raise funds and awareness, helping many people who suffer more disabling aspects of this condition. The "quirky genius" perception that most people with aspergers are just that...really intelligent, but quirky or odd, is so off the mark. Of the people I personally know, and of those I know of, aspergers can be pretty disabling. The symptoms of their aspegers make their lives very difficult. There is a high incidence of depression in people who have aspergers. Good question. It's interesting to see what people's perceptions about aspergers are.

I know quite abit about Aspergers and other Autistic spectrum disorders. If a parent of one of my childerens friends came out and said my child has aspergers. I would in all honesty say welcome to holland. Why shouldnt Autistic children have friends, go to school, play sports, etc? If you feel panic don't be an uneducated idiot look into it and realize it is not contagious. They are children with same rights as your 'normal' based child. Get over yourself and feel ashamed for your poor behavior. Please find a way not to teach your child the prejudice you harbor.

My oldest son has AS. It is a high functioning Autism spectrum disorder that runs the gammet with what problems the child can have. It can have, but not always does, other disorders like Sensory issues, learning disabilities, dietary problems, and lack of empathy apathy and social graces linked to it. My youngest son, who does not have AS, actually has a best friend with AS. Kids on the spectrum really need some understanding adults to help guide them along with way and be patient with their lack of understand and lack of common sense that goes along with AS. These kids are usually VERY smart and a have normal to above average IQ. If another parent told me their child has AS I would want to befriend them because I know what it is like, having one of my own with AS. I would also be a bit more considerate of the child with AS knowing how life is confusing for them despite their intellect. I would be thrilled (and actually am) to have my children befriend a child with AS.

About ten years ago, my son's best friend was dx'd with Aspergers & I was a little freaked by it. I knew nothing about it other than it was "kind of like "Rainman" but not that bad" Then, about 6 years ago, my own son got the same dx & I REALLY freaked out--for about 6 hours. Then I went online & started doing the research (OASIS was a big help!) & found out it wasn't anything we hadn't already understood about Andrew & that it just put a frame to his puzzling behaviors & quirks. Now, I'd have to say I'm extremely knowledgable about Asperger's, and although I haven't gotten confirmation from my own docs, I know that I too have it. As you can see from my ID, we're rather proud to be different. Our "obsessions" with limited subjects make us very proficient & deeply intuitive about those subjects. Our "social ineptitude" once we've accepted it, has allowed me to express my opinions much more freely than others I know. And there's soooo many other ways that we're wired differently, other than the social ostracizm we endure, there's nothing I'd change about myself or my son!

I know that it is a mild form of autism. I don't think I would think that much of it.

I'd think "there's a wide spectrum of things that could mean, so I'm not going to label and stereotype." I mean, come on, we're adults here, not toddlers. I stopped acting on the first thing that came into my mind when I was about five.

Well the first thing that came into my mind was ..What the heck is it ?and I better look it up before I panic. So I did.................... http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-topic-overview

I would think "Asperger's...something like autism." I would then ask the parent what that means exactly.