Greenman

HI, No apologies for the later entry. It been interesting reading them all and on the other question I posted about left or right-handed Aspies. Andy Greenman

It does seem there is again a pattern forming. From the postings it seem that most Aspies on the forum are talking very early and are late walkers! This strange because possible indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorders are: * Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age * Does not speak one word by 16 months * Does not combine two words by 2 years * Does not respond to name * Appears to be deaf or 'wanders' Communication difficulties By age 3, typical children have passed predictable milestones on the path to learning language; one of the earliest is babbling. By the first birthday, a typical toddler says words, turns when he hears his name, points when he wants a toy, and when offered something distasteful, makes it clear that the answer is "no." Speech development in autism takes a different developmental path than in neurotypical children. Some autistics remain mute throughout their lives, while being fully literate and able to communicate in other ways ? images, sign language, and typing are far more natural to them. Some infants who later show signs of autism coo and babble during the first few months of life, but stop soon afterwards. Others may be delayed, developing language as late as the teenage years. Still, inability to speak does not mean that autistics are unintelligent or unaware. Once given appropriate accommodations, many will happily "talk" for hours, and can often be found in autism-focused chat rooms, discussion boards, or websites, or even using communication devices at autism-community social events such as Autreat. Those who do speak often use language in unusual ways, retaining features of earlier stages of language development for long periods or throughout their lives. Some speak only single words, while others repeat the same phrase over and over. Some repeat what they hear, a condition called echolalia. Sing-song repetitions in particular are a calming, joyous activity that many autistic adults engage in. Many autistics have a strong tonal sense, and can often understand spoken language better if it is sung to them. Some children may exhibit only slight delays in language, or even seem to have precocious language and unusually large vocabularies, but have great difficulty in sustaining typical conversations. The "give and take" of conversation is hard for them, although they often carry on a monologue on a favorite subject, giving no one else an opportunity to comment. When given the chance to interact with other autistics, they comfortably do so in "parallel monologue" ? taking turns expressing views and information. Just as neurotypicals are not designed to understand autistic body languages, vocal tones, or phraseology, autistics similarly have trouble with such things in neurotypicals. In particular, autistic language abilities tend to be highly literal; neurotypicals often inappropriately attribute hidden "meaning" to what autistics say or expect the autistic to sense such unstated meaning in their own words.

Can I again thank everone for their comments. Which from reading seems to around 15months on average for walking and a bit more split for talking. With one or two trying to talk as little as 6months. Again very interesting finding! Andy Grenman..

Q. Straw Poll - Were your Aspes Early walkers or Early Talkers? A. Both my AS son and my daughter, were both very late walkers ( nearly 18months) and both were trying to talk around 6 months. Andy Greenman

Hi spectrumlady, Thanks for the posting, how often do your groups meet? You are fairly close to us here in Ealing. Just a 20 minute run up the A40. I like High Wycombe, we often go to shows at the Swan! Are you near there? On your website you quote drama sessions, this is something that our AS son enjoys. Have you found this to be a useful tool, when working with children with AS? Andy Greenman

It seems at first glance that a high percentage are left-handed, very interesting! What do others think? Andy Greenman

Hi Mel, He's like me, I am left -handed. I write and paint left-handed and I do most other things right-handed. Andy Greenman

Q. Straw Poll - Are your Aspes, left or right-handed? A. My son is Right-handed Andy Greenman

Hi Millymoo, You say that your husband was diagnosed last week with Aspergers. Did your Husband have any problems, when he was at school as a youngster? The reason for asking is last years our son S was diagnosed with Aspergers and after talking to the AS Doctor I could see a lot more of me in my son. I myself could not read and write until I was about 10, I had a lot of trouble getting what was in my head down on paper, my hand writing was and still is very poor (that's why I love PC's so much, no writing by hand) and a few other things to boot. I did read in one of Tony Attwood's books that AS can run in families. Before looking at your child, I would look to your husband's family to see if there is any history of AS there. If there seems to be a link beween your inlaws and your husband, then I would maybe ask myself does anything tie in with my child. Then I would seach for the right help. As your child is so young you would have a head start. Our son was 11 when he finally got his diagnosed of Aspergers. I hope this is of some use. Andy Greenman

I think you should learn a few choice German words so you can play them at their own game! You dumb German - Sie simplifizieren Deutsch shut up and go home - schlie�t ab und geht nach Hause If your mouth was any bigger you will trip over you chin - Wenn Ihr Mund irgendein gr��eres war, das Sie �ber Sie Kinn stolpern werden Joking apart - Sometimes it's better not to say anything - "As mud thrown is ground lost!" Enjoy your trip in Augest. Hope it's better than the last one. Andy Greenman

Did you know that today is Middlesex Day - 16th May? So says Russell Grant an old friend from years back! Andy Greenman and Proud Middlesex Saxon! VIVA MIDDLESEX - MIDDLESEX FOR EVER!

I'm in is it your round Zaman? Andy Greenman

I think we all should meet up in London and all get blind drunk! God! That would't half let off some off the pressure! lol Joking apart we all need some down time away from the kids for a few hours. What I'd give to be in a pub somewhere tonight! Andy Greenman

Hey Hev, We feel the same at present- it all seems as if your treadding water and not getting anywhere! My wife has been very upset the passed few days, if it's not our son's school it's him playing up! The whole house is nearly at breaking point. This is why I have been trying to find a support group in our area. Just so we can speak to someone who understands and cares, to help let off some of this pressure! Be assured you and your family are in our throughts at this time. Andy Greenman Middlesex.

I can relate to this 100% - We have had the same problems, if only I could speak to them in person. I would shake their hand and say thanks for sharing this with a world that does not understand AS. Andy Greenman

Hi Caroline, I agree, he does have one or two what he calls friends that are good to him. But he does say that others do keep saying to the teacher that our son is annoying them during certain lessons. Which happen to be the lessons, which is the teacher/s that do not understand AS and send home notes. I feel these notes in his contact book are in part to blame. As they tend to worry and make him stressful, which leads to problems at home. If only they would start putting some positive comments in his book, this would go some way to making him feel better about himself and in turn would I feel help to reduce his stimmering. Another problem we had just this afternoon was one of these said teachers rung us up at home saying did we help our son with his assessment as she can't get him to do much work in class! Our son is one of these AS children who loves computers, but finds it hard to put pen to paper. Yes, we helped him with capital letters and punctuation, but thats as far as it went. He is a bright lad (with a higher than normal IQ) and he does take it in while in class, but, his written work does not reflect this in anyway. Also at home there is no distractions, the TV is off and my wife a teaching assistent can work 1-2-1 with him if it's needed. Like with math, which is not his hottest subject. Like most AS children he does have a problem with auditory filtering while in class or in a large noisey groups like parties etc. I do feel that the school needs to do more to understand his needs. The problem is that teachers can't see AS, so they tend to put the blame on to the child, rather than the noisey and stressful class room set up.

Zaman, I could not agree more! Andy Greenman

Mine is a cold bottle of Adnams - Broadside or Suffolk Ale and if the weather is very hot a ice cold bottle of Apells Suffolk Cyder. "mmmmm!!" Role on Summer! Andy Greenman

Thanks lynne, For the message, I will check out (HACS) As for Hillingdon Manor School. We firmly believe it is important that our son stays in a main stream high school. Apart for one or two minor head aches he is doing quite well. Thanks again Andy Greenman

Hi, Mumble, thanks for the message, A lot of what you have said I can agree with. we have tried on a number occation to talk to the teachers in question and to explain why he does what he does. As you know AS goes in waves, so when he is getting on well the problem disappears and the notes stops. Even his stimming all but goes. Then we get that slide back down and the stimming increases and the cycle of notes begins again. We have spoken a number of times with the Senco, who in turn has spoken to the teachers in question. One is even a fellow Governor on the same body. It's like banging your head on a wall! They just can't see, that if they would praise him more and try to not keep picking up on his stimming. The problem would not be as bad. As the school's SEN Governor I am walking this fine line. So I do not want to be seen as abusing my postion to sort out this problem. ********************** Quote: Whilst I wouldn't advocate that parents advise children to ignore/disrespect the teacher, maybe on this you can talk to your son about other people not knowing much about AS and the teacher misinturpreting stimming as conscious behaviour; ********************** The Senco has even gone as far as sitting down with the class to explain with our sons full consent. What AS is and why our son and others do what they do. As you with agree, children soon forget what has been said to them and our son says that the other children fall back into their old ways. Using his own words "drop him in it!" I know it's maybe half of one and a dozen of another. But, this only adds to the problem. We try to talk to him calmly about his AS and his problems etc. But, if he's had a bad day. He just blows up in your face, and this also can lead to more problems in school the following day. We have always been open with our son about his AS and he does get a lot of SEN support from the school. But, we just wish these odd few teachers would just understand our side of the problem and work with us. So we can make a stable environment for our son the live and learn in. Am I asking too much? Andy Greenman

I would follow what Bard has said and try to get your hands on a copy of their policy. If you feel you have a case to complain. Book a meeting with the head and talk it through with he or she, first. If you still are not happy you could just quote the following words, Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This would put the wind up them big time! If you wish to read it, follow the link below. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/1995050.htm Andy Greenman

Thanks Bard, I hear they bottle some lovely Red in Sussex - Fancy cracking a bottle sometime? Joking apart, this we have found is a circle we'd like to break. Our 12 year old son makes noises in class, notes come home. We talk to our son, he gets upset, on come the tics and wet beds and noises etc. The following day, our 12 year old son makes even more noises in class, and more notes come home and so on and so forth! It's really getting us down at the moment. These teacher's are quick to send home notes when he is, in their eyes bad. But, I wish they would send home notes when he is good! They just can't see this would go some way to breaking this cycle of notes and problems at home. Believe it or not the teacher's in question say they are the ones who understand AS. If this is the case, I'd hate to meet the ones who don't understand! Andy Greenman

Can I thank everyone for there replies, which have given be some good ideas to try putting to the school. Most of my sons lession he does not have a problem or the teacher does not make an issue of it in regards to his noises. Doe anyone else have a child who has a compulsion to make noises i.e tapping, humming, noise making? If yes, how have you dealt with it. All suggestion welcome! Andy Greenman

Hi my name is Andy, I am maried with two children Stephen who is 12 and who has Asperger's and Louise who is 3. Stephen is in main stream school and who is doing fairly well at present. But, is still hard work to keep him motivated! I am looking forward to hearing from others who have children with Asperger's. As I believe, "a problem shared is a problem halved". With kind regards Andy Greenman - Middlesex.

Does anyone know of any Asperger's Support Groups in West London and Middlesex? As I am have a problem finding any. Andy Greenman