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I have known that something was different about my oldest child from a very early age. I have read many books about Asperger's and think he has it. My pediatrician referred my son to a psychiatrist but all he wanted to do is put him on prozac on the first visit.
I'm positive that he has asperger's but there are so many variations with this that sometimes I wonder. He has no problem at school and I think it's because it's so structured. He does have friends at school but does not like to go to their house or have them over....he really seems to want school and home separate. His main problems are at home.
I just feel like if I knew for sure, I could find help for him and me.
Where do you go to get your child tested? Or how do you get a diagnosis? I live in the Plano, TX area. If anyone has the name of a doctor who specializes in Asperger's that would be great.
Thanks,
Cynthia
Finding the path
I would like to point you in some directions but for the most part it is a winding and long path. I would also ask the one big Q. that gets me in the bigest hot watter. Why do you want a diagnosis. is is really so you can help him or is it so you can fix him or are you really stepping back and looking objectivly at everything. I spent several years in the (finding the fix) place and in the (he is broken so lets find him help) place now I am in the (I am the parent I have the responsibilety to help him) place. and I found out alot. I can and am doing it preety well. no one will EVER really care as much as me to do it so I am educating myself changing myself and how I aproach everything. My son too needs Huge amounts of structure so I am building it piece by piece in all aspects of his life. School and home were for us also very different, but with him home with me now for school and home structure cross enviorments has melded into a seemless avenue and behaviors and learning have changed significantly. Last and very definetly not least. Talk to your son. is this what he wants dose he want a lable. dose he want to know if something is wrong or diferent about him. ask him what he needs to make things at home better, try some techniques at home that can help give him some structure in a commonly unstructured place or time. I wish i had more answers but this is a path you and he will walk if chosen and every one is diffrent. I wish you the best and send my prayers.
Today is the day. Live in the moment. The choice is ours.
diagnosis
People with Asperger's have been around many years, they just didn't know it. Some were considered 'weird' and became outcasts, while others managed just to come across as 'different'. Some were even genius. If there are no significant learning or behavior issues at school, it might be hard to push for testing. Typically, a school wants to provide services to a struggling student, so if they haven't mentioned anything, you may need to give it time. You did't mention his age, but if he is 4ish (or younger), you could contact the local elem. school for a speech evaluation-if there are language delays. Nowadays, there are many disorders under the 'spectrum ' that do not necessarily translate to an Asperger diagnosis. Some have a diag. of PDDNOS or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. Basically there is a rubric of criteria for Asperger, but many kids only show signs in some quadrants, so a generic diagnosis label was added to accomodate all the special needs kids. Sometimes all you need to do is educate your M.D. and ask him to refer you to someone. Good luck! ~a
Diagnosing
Normally, they don't diagnos Aspergers until a child is at least seven. It sounds like you should go to another psychiatrist! I strongly believe in going to a neurologist. It's a neurological disorder and a trained professional in neurology is usually the best bet. The can tell you in a second. I'm not a big fan of school evaluations, they aren't as accurate and many times incorrect.
As for your child, if he's struggling I would definitely look into some structure and maybe even a token system for things that he might be struggling with...like self-regulation. Also, if he wants to keep home and school seperate, learn acceptance. My nephew is the same way, he even told me if he could go the rest of his life with never meeting a new person he would. His psychiatrist, when he was 5, told his mother that they used to lock up children like him and his school told her that he needed to go on medication. He's a smart, happy, well-adjusted 12 yr old. He might talk about his "friends" that he never wants to hang out with after school, but he's happy that way.
Good luck to you. I'm sure everything will work out for you and your son in the end.
-adriane.