Thompsons

Levi is also 7 and he still has stabilisers. He hasn't realised that kids his age are riding bikes without them yet.. I'm worried that he'll start to feel embarrassed, but he just can't seem to do it without them I'm not sure about the link to toe walking.. Levi did walk on his toes when he first started walking and he does run on his toes, but apart from that his walking is normal. I wouldn't worry too much. Let him do things in his own time

You're certainly not alone! We're going away at the end of this month and as much as I love the sea and sand, I find it all very stressful. I HATE change and so living in a different place for a week is upsetting. I'm a bit particular about cleanliness as well - knowing that strangers have used the shower, etc; also makes my skin crawl. Try and enjoy it though - make sure you get out and about. I try to spend as little time at the caravan as possible

I know that bladder control does appear to be quite common with Aspergers. Levi (7) still has accidents and wears nappies to bed.. I've recently been told that my therapist suspects I may have Aspergers, and I also have trouble with bladder control. I never seem to need to go until the very last minute and then it's a desperate run to get there! I believe it's a sensory thing.

If he's finding it distressing, I think that you have every right to request that he be excused from going to assembly. And they certainly shouldn't be punishing him! Levi also disliked assembly, when he first started school, he'd refuse to go to assembly at all. Now he's not so bad and will go, but he does sometimes crawl around the floor and they take him out if he appears to be distressed.

Aww, I think it's a great idea! Pets can be great therapy

Congrats!!!!

We've just been really casual about it.. I think Levi knows.. He's heard us talking about it, ect. And he's had tests and I know he's aware that he's a little different from other children, but he's never actually asked or said, "I have aspergers." We're wondering if he's a little in denial at the moment or simply doesn't want to know, so we don't push it. If he asks though, we'll explain it to him Having my issues explained to me really helped because it finally felt like people understood and I wasn't alone. It helped me to understand what was going on with me too. I guess kids are all different and you need to handle it with your childs sensitivities in mind.

I'm really shocked at how these stories remind me of myself.. I was actually in a magazine (free with News Of The World - I doubt anyone remembers or saw it, but you never know!) last year trying to raise awareness of phobias that are deemed uncommon or strange. I had only heard of one other person with a phobia of food until I came on here! It honestly ruined my life.. I can now eat (everything but chocolate - it terrifies me!), but I'm still very underweight due to the fact that my stomach shrank so much that I now get full up very easily. It stunted my growth.. I'm still the height I was when I was 14. Is this a common thing with aspergers? Levi is fussy with food, but he eats a lot! I hope he doesn't develop an aversion to food as he gets older. I have been diagnosed with OCD and a schizophrenic disorder, but now I'm wondering if it's possible I may have aspergers.. Or perhaps these disorders just have similar symptoms? Just thinking aloud really

Levi loves computers and his Xbox too - as well as many other game stations! He loves technology, it's his specialist subject and we certainly don't discourage it.. He enjoys it! Yes, sometimes, it can grate on your nerves a bit when he's spoken about it for two hours straight But I'm always astonished and quite proud by the amount he knows! He's only 7 years old, but he'll complete a couple of games a week, and he's not just interested in playing the games, he likes to know how they were made, ect. I think it's quite a common obsession with boys Sometimes if he has been playing it for tooo long we will try and distract him. But sometimes it'll just cause him to cry and it's just not nice for either of us. Is there anything else that he really enjoys? Perhaps splitting his time between things would be better, so that he hasn't spent the whole day playing games.. Sorry I don't really have any more advice - I'm sort of stuck in the same boat! <'>

Welcome!! <'>

Thanks Bjkmummy! I hope Ben enjoyed his birthday too! Levi's been asking about seeing the Indiana Jones film as well

I meant to mention that I had a dietician also, who was very helpful And blood tests might be useful too. I had extremely low levels of phosphate in my blood because I wasn't eating and had to take phosphate tablets for a long time. I had blood tests and my blood pressure checked everyday at the hospital. As someone mentioned the butterfly needles are really good - I don't have a problem with needles anyway, but when they used the butterfly needles, I honestly didn't even feel it!

Have fun!!!

I've wondered about this too.. It seems to run in our family, and very strongly. Is there not a genetic counselling service? I think they're supposed to give you a percentage or something based on you and your partner. Whatever the outcome though, I don't think it'd stop me from having kids.

Thankyou both! He enjoyed his day

This is interesting.. Levi drinks plenty, but he always complains that he's hungry! We have to keep a close eye on him because I think he'd eat all day if we let him!

Awwwww, this sounds just like Levi!! He's only 7, but I hope he's still as sweet at 13 He also loves the book 'Guess How Much I Love You?' and will quote parts from it too!

I've had these myself.. As part of my OCD, I had a phobia of eating. You can probably guess that it affected my physical health completely. My liver enlarged and my heart stopped pumping blood to my feet and hands. I was prescribed calorie shakes that were ready made in cartons.. I had to have a lot in one day But I did eventually find one that I really liked that was a powder that you mixed up with milk. I definately think that they could help your son if you feel he needs an extra boost with his weight. Good luck!

Js Mum pretty much summed up what I feel about this subject.. I guess we could say that anything is preventable after it's happened, by which time it's too late anyway. But I suppose that I was just wondering, how someone who was apparently such a danger to the community was able to do that without anyone (regardless of who it is) keeping an eye on him or noticing. I wasn't meaning to make it sound as if people with disabilities shouldn't have free will. I just think that people with disabilities should be cared for and kept an eye on for their safety as well as others.

I just wanted to share.. Levi turned 7 today!!! He got up early and opened his presents. He got a game that he so badly wanted, so that's all he's been talking about! My parents took him to an indoor playground this morning. He had a good time until some kids in the ball pond kept throwing balls at him and he had a big tantrum But he's cheered up now. And is excited for his cake I can't believe it's been 7 years! I remember when I first saw him, all wrinkly and tiny Time really does go so fast. Happy Birthday baby!!!

I know how you feel.. L will also believe anything people tell him and it does get him into trouble sometimes I think things like this are preventable. I also wonder if he was having any support from professionals. I see so many stories like this where crimes/tragedies could have been prevented if people were doing their job a little better

Welcome

Hmm, I don't really tend to snack, but if I really can't wait inbetween meals I like Mini Pasties and Rich Tea Creams

Hi and welcome!!

Thanks for the reply We had a meltdown when he got home yesterday.. He took his Go Go Crazy Bones in to school (I hope everyone knows what I'm talking about! All the kids seem to have them) and he came back home with just 5 of his own!!!! Asked him where his others were and he started talking about something that didn't seem relevant. He finally said, "My friends said that it was okay for them to have them" I said, "Did you give them to them?" He replys "No, they took them, but they said it was okay". Then after explaining to him that it was NOT okay for the other kids to take his stuff, he just started crying - which in turn upset me I think he realized that they told him that because they knew he'd believe them and let them have them. I know how kids are, but it just really upset me that they were so manipulative because they know he's so vulnerable