Hello from Turkey

[numbersrealm]

Hi everyone,

My son 4 yrs old has just diognesed for AS. As parents we want to help him as much as possible before he starts to school. He is currently addicted to numbers and sometimes scared badly of some devices i.e oven, air condiitoner. Sometimes he is very open but especially during the times that he starts to scare he starts his routines and closes himself. He is not getting any special training. I am open to any suggestions in order not to lose time and imrpove his situation as much as we can before he goes to primary school..

 

[Soup]

Hi there Numbersrealm!

I think you are the first to join us from Turkey so welcome!!! How does your son interact with other children? Since Aspies are often academically adept, problems tend to ensue when they are in social situations. Learning some basic social skills like turn taking, waiting in line, how to respond to others when they approach him will be helpful. Also, it is vital that you establish very good communication with his teachers & the principal. The more they know about your son's unique temperament & needs, the better they'll e able to accommodate them at school.

 

[numbersrealm]

Thank you Soup,

Actually the situation is a little bit different in Turkey. AS are not well accepted in society, not understood and usually not wanted. So it is a critical decision to tell people about it or not. Education is problem too. There are very few unqualified schools for special training. We think that our son can manage to get a normal education in a normal school if we help him. However most of the schools will not accept him if they know about his condition. So we are not sure yet to communicate his diagnosis with people or not. Currently only myself and his mother is aware.

Let me try to describe his situation. He is usually active, he is 3.5 yrs old but already count up to 1000 or more.. He can read all the letters, even write most of them. He has a great talent with music. He can play some basic songs on the piano can recognize the notes without any reference. He can talk very well but sometimes doesn't answer especially when he is focused on something or he is sick/tired. He is usually walking on his fingertips which is taking a lot of attention. He can walk properly when we remind him but he forgets quickly and trarts walking on fingertips again.

Socially he is active with adults... most of the time.. he does not intreract with children especially with the ones at his age. Even we sometimes encourage him to go and talk.. he prefers not to do so. He does not answer to childres most of the time and plays himself. He is very much into the numbers and sometimes counts continuously.. He says he loves some of the numbers. He is aware that we don't like him to play with them all the time and sometimes tries not to show that he is doing so.

As said we want to prepare him as much as possible before he starts school.. And appreciate for all the ideas that might be a help.. Thank you!