Total Newbie... and need some advice!

[MandyB]

Hi there, I'm totally new to forums so this is a new experience for me! I'm also totally new to the idea that my 4 year old may have Asperger's /ASD and am fumbling around in the dark somewhat! I hope you might be able to help me.

 

His playgroup invited a local support co-ordinator to observe his behaviour and speech last week after I mentioned his difficult behaviour at home and lack of conversational speech. I was taken aback when she reported 3 key areas of concern after her observations - she was so specific about the types of behaviour that I felt she was guiding me to look into it rather than just blurt out ASD was what she was suspecting. Sure enough after looking up symptoms of ASD, my son described to a "t". I had just never put all his quirks and oddities into one over-all problem before..suddenly a lot of things made sense... lining up cars all the right way for ages, touching every car wheel on a walk into town, specific orders of things to be done to avoid tantrums, lack of chatting and questions. But yet so many things didn't fit and still don't- he makes eye contact and can talk in sentences about lots of things, he's had us and his playgroup all fooled for so long because he has friends and can behave perfectly "normally"! I think now he's just learned how to behave to fit in, and yet so much of it seems innate in him and he enjoys being sociable and making people laugh.

 

My biggest problem with him is at home. He had a hard time adjusting to the arrival of a baby brother, and this hasn't improved in 16 months! He just can't stop himself hitting him/poking/squeezing. We've done all the usual discipline things but to no avail. I guess I thought one day he would just learn to love him and it would pass so they could play together. Now I'm not sure this will happen and I'm heartbroken that I don't know how to make it better. He does like to make him laugh sometimes but usually he just gets That Look and I can't stop him going over to give him a shove. My HV suggested social stories which we will try. Has this worked for anyone else in a similar situation?

 

Anyway sorry to go on, I definitely need an outlet!

Thanks for any help you can offer

 

Mandy

[wasuup]

Hi

I am new here too. My ds likes to do the car thing-not tyres but touches every car in the car park until we get to ours.

[mossgrove]

Mandy

 

Welcome to the forum. Hang around a while and read some of the old threads and you will see that there are plenty of people here who understand exactly what you are going through right now.

 

One thing to remember is Autistic Spectrum dosorders are called that because it is a spectrum of dofferent issues, no two children have the same ones. Equally it may not be Autism at all.

 

It is probably a good idea to ask your GP to refetr you to a specialist Doctor for asessment so you either know what you are dealing woth or your mind is put at rest.

 

 

Simon

[Karen A]

Hi Mandy Welcome to the Forum. Karen.

[pearl]

Welcome Mandy <'>

[Clare63]

Hello and a very warm welcome Mandy

 

Clare

[MandyB]

Hi guys and thanks for your warm welcome! I'm finding it hard to decide whether to tell friends about my son's likely Asperger's/ASD, so nice to have somewhere I can find other folks with some understanding of the situation, so I don't feel so isolated!

 

Thanks again

Mandy

[sergiosbabe]

Welcome Mandy.

 

It is good to find a place where you can speak with people who understand what you are talking about.

 

 

 

 

 

sergiosbabe

[Bagpuss]

Hi Mandy and welcome to the forum