Hi everyone, I'm just freaking out and noticed bump had a board for this so I thought I would post. I am jumping the gun a bit since I don't have a diagnosis for DS yet but I'm really getting worried it's worse than I expected.
DS has had sever separation anxiety since we tried switch from a nanny to daycare when he was 17 months old. He did not adjust well to daycare and I have been home ever since. We tried everything but couldn't get him adjusted to school or daycare set-up. Even leaving him with family for an hour or two is a production. He even gets upset at friends' birthday parties. And I really need to go back to work - financial reasons and I have a work requirement for a certification I was working on. Finally found a place I loved and we started him in nursery school last Sept. It was AWFUL but we kept thinking it was just separation anxiety and he'd adjust. He's gotten better but the director and school psych recommended an evaluation. The NYC Board of Ed does them to check for special needs.
The official meeting with a diagnosis and plan is set for later in Feb but so far the PT, OT, and the speech therapist have recommended he receive services. So I have been doing research and with his delayed gross motor skills, and delayed fine motor skills, sensitivity to loud noises, problems having a conversation, and all his social anxiety issues, I'm afraid it's Asperger's. And I'm kind of freaking out.
Not really sure there is anything to do until the meeting. Just fretting...
Welcome! Just as an fyi aspergers no longer exists as a diagnosis as the diagnostic criteria has changed which means kids who would have formerly dx with aspergers or pdd-nos are all just dx with autism spectrum disorder. my little girl was just recently diagnosed with asd and there seems to be quite a few of us who have just received dx or are in the process so you're in good company.
Welcome- sorry you're going through this stressful time. My son was diagnosed when he was 20 months after a rocky start to a new daycare. He didn't have the anxiety you're describing, but he has never really got along/played with other kids. He has pdd-nos (diagnosed before the DSM's changed). I feel your pain on the need to go back to work. It's a non-issue for us- I've gotta work. We tried a few daycares and eventually discovered a SN preschool/daycare that was awesome. Even better, it was an "inclusion" preschool so 70/30 SN to typical kids. The staff was much better trained to handle all types of challenging behaviors. And, bonus, he could attend all his therapy sessions there with onsight ST, OT, etc. Just wanted to point this out to look for as I didn't know this type of place existed until over a year after DS was diagnosed! Good luck!
kc13 & auntie - thanks for the clarification. I actually do remember hearing that on the news a long while ago. So, I should say I'm afraid he may end up with a high-functioning ASD diagnosis. Oddly, most resources online, even recent ones, still use the term Aspergers.
auntie - thanks for the suggestion about a developmental pedi. I just emailed DS's pedi to ask if he knows anyone. As for why I'm thinking ASD/Aspergers and not autism - his motor delays are minor which is why his ped and I had not noticed them ourselves. DS is affectionate and social and likes being touched (hugs, kisses, snuggles) and asks to socialize with friends. From what I understand, that's not the case with autism. But he struggles with proper behavior - still doesn't understand personal space for others. He will stroke other kids' hair, give hug & kisses even when other kids resist. He definitely doesn't lack emotions.
The big distinction I've read seems to be in language development - DS language skills are right on par for his age - he has a vocabulary of 500+ words, can form 8-9 word sentences, asks for what he needs. But he has major problems having a conversation - doesn't wait for his turn to speak, doesn't follow the topic and rambles about his own thoughts, etc.
My brother in law is autistic so I've seen those symptoms and DS doesn't really have autism signs.
MirandaHobbes - first of all I love your screen name (assuming it's not your real name and from SATC?)
I am on the hunt for a daycare that could handle him with the right care. Unfortunately I would have a long commute for work so finding an affordable one with the right care, long enough hours, that actually has space available has been a challenge. One that fits the bill is an integrated school and I've been on the wait-list for over a year! An official diagnosis may open up some options though so let's see...
My daughter has autism and is very social, affectionate, and loves attention. she intentionally acts out to get attention and brings me toys to play with her all day long. she plays with toys like a "typical" three year old and enjoys socializing with her brother and same age peers she knows well. Her motor skills and adaptive skills are advanced. still autistic. if you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism. The fact he doesn't act like an autistic uncle means nothing and if theres a family history there that means its all the more likely to have the disorder.
Thanks for the info KC13. Good to know - most of what I know right now is from obsessively googling stuff for the last few days. I'm not quite sure where the distinctions between ASD and autism lie and I was going off of two articles that tried to distinguish between the the two.
So glad I looked into this board! Info and support is exactly what I need right now! Thanks again!
That is a LOT of info to take in. I didn't come across the special interest thing for Aspergers but DS doesn't really have that. He does get obsessive about one thing but that one thing he's into changes every so often. So that doesn't fit him.
Extremely confusing. I'm going to read more about all the stuff you explained and at the moment, I'm going to try & find a dev pedi and wait for the dx from the CPSE evaluation. Otherwise I'm just driving myself insane thinking about stuff.
Thanks again for the reference suggestions. I will get the OASIS guide. It would be good to find information specific to younger children since I agree some of the traits may not be noticeable yet.
DS has gone through space/rocketship interest and though it fades for other stuff, he always comes back to it. He also likes to watch the same things over and over again on tv - not shows but specific episodes - multiple times a day for days. But I know other kids who do that maybe slightly less so and I'm not sure where the line is between being a "normal" child and where it becomes concerning behavior.
Re: Intro
auntie - thanks for the suggestion about a developmental pedi. I just emailed DS's pedi to ask if he knows anyone. As for why I'm thinking ASD/Aspergers and not autism - his motor delays are minor which is why his ped and I had not noticed them ourselves. DS is affectionate and social and likes being touched (hugs, kisses, snuggles) and asks to socialize with friends. From what I understand, that's not the case with autism. But he struggles with proper behavior - still doesn't understand personal space for others. He will stroke other kids' hair, give hug & kisses even when other kids resist. He definitely doesn't lack emotions.
The big distinction I've read seems to be in language development - DS language skills are right on par for his age - he has a vocabulary of 500+ words, can form 8-9 word sentences, asks for what he needs. But he has major problems having a conversation - doesn't wait for his turn to speak, doesn't follow the topic and rambles about his own thoughts, etc.
My brother in law is autistic so I've seen those symptoms and DS doesn't really have autism signs.
I am on the hunt for a daycare that could handle him with the right care. Unfortunately I would have a long commute for work so finding an affordable one with the right care, long enough hours, that actually has space available has been a challenge. One that fits the bill is an integrated school and I've been on the wait-list for over a year! An official diagnosis may open up some options though so let's see...
So glad I looked into this board! Info and support is exactly what I need right now!
Thanks again!
That is a LOT of info to take in. I didn't come across the special interest thing for Aspergers but DS doesn't really have that. He does get obsessive about one thing but that one thing he's into changes every so often. So that doesn't fit him.
Extremely confusing. I'm going to read more about all the stuff you explained and at the moment, I'm going to try & find a dev pedi and wait for the dx from the CPSE evaluation. Otherwise I'm just driving myself insane thinking about stuff.
Thanks for all the info!!!
DS has gone through space/rocketship interest and though it fades for other stuff, he always comes back to it. He also likes to watch the same things over and over again on tv - not shows but specific episodes - multiple times a day for days. But I know other kids who do that maybe slightly less so and I'm not sure where the line is between being a "normal" child and where it becomes concerning behavior.
Anyhow I'm rambling. Thanks!