How many are familiar with Asperger's ?

My 11 yr old son has Asperger's. He was only diagnosed 2 years ago. I'm still learning every day about it, and I can tell you it's not the easiest disorder to deal with and very frustrating for all parties involved. Socialization for my son has been the hardest thing, and has caused him alot of stress and kids of the same age don't know really how to handle being around him or how to act around him. He doesn't really have friends, and gets teased because of it too. Need some one to talk to feel free to PM me......good luck!

 

My 31 year old daughter has it, only back then she was diagnosed as autistic as asperger's was not known about then. She was an excellent student, but had no good sense about things and while she was a gorgeous teenager, she did crazy things behind our backs and luckily (or unluckily!) never got in trouble for it. . .she made terrible judgement calls about men as a young adult, they took terrible advantage of her and no matter how we all talked and talked and talked, she never did learn until she had a complete breakdown and went to a home to stay for several months and really did have some wonderful counselors. They are extremely hard headed and hard to manage at times, but she was never violent and has a sweet dispostion and a wonderful sense of humor. she is living now in Southern Illinois with her SO who also has mental issues, and is actually doing quite well. Able to manage her own money and cleans and cooks and manages their home very nicely. It does get very frustrating; I cried for hours over some of the things that she let people do to her, or the messes she would get into, and the sad thing was, she looked and acted so normal, it was hard NOT to wonder what in the heck she was thinking . . .but then she would have to go to the hospital for a few days and get re-regulated on the meds and I would realize that she really couldn't help it. Just hang in there, there are going to be more good days than bad days coming along, you just sort of have to learn to look for those bright moments in every day with them!

 

My brother as fairly severe ADHD and Oppisitional Disorder...he does present a lot of the signs of Aspergers and has a lot of problems socially. ADHD and Aspergers are related though. It is difficult enough living with Kevin and he hasn't had an easy time socially.

 

My boss has a 17 year old with Asbergers and some of his stories crack me up, but also make me understand his frustration with the child. He is currently obsessed with his American Indian heritage (he was adopted) and drives my poor boss nuts wanting to go to pow-wows, and wanting indian dress, etc.

 

My grandson has it, and from what i have learned am pretty sure his mom has leanings that way- i was diagnosed with OCD about ten years ago, and the more i learned about all these 'disorders' that are inter-related the more made sense- as far as my grandson, he is in special ed, and that has made a world of difference for him-

 

I have been married for 26 years to a man with Aspergers. He didnt know till last April when I figured it out. All his life he has felt like he is"out of sync" with the rest of the world. Finding out he is an aspie was a huge relief for him because now he knows why he has such trouble. It was a huge relief for me too for many reasons. You said you are on another group for aspie spouses, is it ASPIRES? I understand what your feeling and I understand how isolated your probably feeling. Living with a spouse with aspergers can be so hard but it has its good side as well. If you want to email me or pm me I would be happy to chat with you about it.

 

Interesting... I have a brother who is turning 50 this year that we have always thought something was not quite right but he was never diagnosed with anything. I end up doing many things for him as he's not always able to get it.. like doing his taxes, taking his car in., etc. Yet the guy loves classic cars can tell you the dates of when certain ones were manufactured, what part goes in it ( unfortunately he cant change his oil or work on them even though he's been shown a few times...... My sister just thinks he's lazy because of this but I've seen him struggle with many things and also had to clean up messes he got himself into because he didnt know how to deal with it and was left to his own devices. He also went through a few periods that lasted for a month sometimes as a child where he would just stop talking for a month... my parents took him to doctors but he was never diagnosed with anything. I wonder....... those of you who have had family members diagnosed later in life.. how were they tested? Anyway thanks for enlightening me, I'm sorry for your struggles with this disorder.


Nancy

 

NancyDz There are tests that are specifically geared towards adults that people can take. Find someone in your area that specifically deals with high functioning Autism and or Asperger's and you are likely to get more help. Many professionals who are good at the lower functioning forms of Autism are not good with higher functioning Autism, or Aspergers.

There are different schools of thought on whether or not Higher functioning Autism is the same as Asperger's. Some feel it is, and some feel it isn't, so be sure to mention both when asking the professionals in your area what they treat and diagnose.

Btw I have twins who were recently diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism, and we are looking into having my oldest evaluated for an Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) We believe he may have Aspergers. I also believe that both my father and I might have some form of ASD so I will also be pursuing testing to confirm or deny a diagnosis.

There is a great book out about Aspergers called The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood. It's a great book. I have heard that other books by him on ASD's are also good but have not personally read them yet.

 

thanks okiemommy, I will look into it.