CleopatrasAsp
Member
Hello, everyone. I'm Cleopatra's Asp, which is a pun on Asperger's and also a reference to the fact that my son's imminent diagnosis kind of reached around and bit me. I'm still reeling in shock, especially because I've tutored and worked with Aspies--and because our son presents differently from the ones I've worked with, I completely missed it in him.
He's our only child, and neither of us has ever been around children otherwise, so he's our baseline for how children behave. All through school, we've had teachers tell us that he was a "little different," or "very independent," or "highly imaginative," or something like that. We've never pursued having him tested for any learning or developmental disabilities because, to us, he was normal and we didn't see the point because he still managed to do okay in school.
Suddenly this year, his school performance has tanked, and we're seeing patterns in his behavior that were there all along but we either didn't pay attention or didn't think it was that different from the norm. All of a sudden, his executive function problems are taking over his whole life and he's just floundering. Trying hard, but meeting with no success. Also, his meltdowns and odd behaviors, which we expected him to outgrow by this time, are still very much in evidence. (Flailing his arms when he gets corrected, or when he can't think of a word, for example. Having zero ability to connect cause with effect, or action with consequence. Being thoughtlessly cruel to an animal, but melting down into tears when it's pointed out to him, for other examples.)
We have initiated the process to have the school test him for learning or developmental disabilities, but I'm not sure whether that's the best thing to do or not. Should we get him tested privately at our own expense? Should we rely on the school for a diagnosis? CAN a school even make a diagnosis? Should he be seen by an autism specialist? I'm also expecting an ADHD diagnosis too. I'm not even sure where to go or what to do next.
Anyway, I'm learning lots just reading these forums, and you guys are encouraging me already! So thank you, and please excuse my ignorance, and I look forward to hanging out with you all a lot more!
He's our only child, and neither of us has ever been around children otherwise, so he's our baseline for how children behave. All through school, we've had teachers tell us that he was a "little different," or "very independent," or "highly imaginative," or something like that. We've never pursued having him tested for any learning or developmental disabilities because, to us, he was normal and we didn't see the point because he still managed to do okay in school.
Suddenly this year, his school performance has tanked, and we're seeing patterns in his behavior that were there all along but we either didn't pay attention or didn't think it was that different from the norm. All of a sudden, his executive function problems are taking over his whole life and he's just floundering. Trying hard, but meeting with no success. Also, his meltdowns and odd behaviors, which we expected him to outgrow by this time, are still very much in evidence. (Flailing his arms when he gets corrected, or when he can't think of a word, for example. Having zero ability to connect cause with effect, or action with consequence. Being thoughtlessly cruel to an animal, but melting down into tears when it's pointed out to him, for other examples.)
We have initiated the process to have the school test him for learning or developmental disabilities, but I'm not sure whether that's the best thing to do or not. Should we get him tested privately at our own expense? Should we rely on the school for a diagnosis? CAN a school even make a diagnosis? Should he be seen by an autism specialist? I'm also expecting an ADHD diagnosis too. I'm not even sure where to go or what to do next.
Anyway, I'm learning lots just reading these forums, and you guys are encouraging me already! So thank you, and please excuse my ignorance, and I look forward to hanging out with you all a lot more!
