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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Aspergers with no steriotyped or repetative behavior

40 replies

hmb · 04/11/2004 19:43

If it possible to have a case of Aspergers in a teenager who does not show any steriotyped or repetative behaviours? In other words do some teen agers with aspergers become able to supress this behaviour?

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Jimjams · 04/11/2004 19:53

Are you sure they don't show the behaaviour in a different setting? Often people with autism can supress at school then let rip at home for example.

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Jimjams · 04/11/2004 20:04

Hmmm actually you may have just answered something for me. This week ds1 has been dreadful with lots of routines- certain doors have to be shut, certain lights have to be on/off- I have to stand in certain positions and put him to bed in a certain way- different food has to be eaten in fixed different places. Very very controlling behaviour- I wonder if its from going back to school...........

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hmb · 04/11/2004 20:27

I just wondered. I have a girl in my form with a new diagnosis of aspergers. She never seems to show any steriotyed behaviour, has quite ordinary peer interactions, no particular 'interests' that dominate conversations etc. She seems very atypical.

I just wondered it it was possible for older children to supress some behaviours while in school. Thanks for the feedback Jimjams.

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mrsforgetful · 04/11/2004 21:09

JMB- Thomas (11 in dec) has NEVER really seemed to me to be 'typical AS'....he is very subtble in how he 'shows it'.

he sometimes 'waggles' his arms....and looks a bit disjointed when he runs.....but that is his only 'outward' signs....and not many notice it.

however he will talk without consideration to his 'audience' and if with a friend will wander off when he's had enough (no idea of social etiquette).

his teacher finds him lovely- no violent outburst...and he has learnt to not call out.

so yes...though he is only 11 i do think they do learn to 'fit in'.

and as i have said loads of times....i had a difficult childhood/adolesense....and see alot of AS in me....and yes i have learnt to maintain eyecontact/keep a comfortable distance from people(respect personal space etc)/take turns in conversation/......but still am obsessive,and take things the wrong way (which i now feel is just the adult version of 'taking a literal meaning')

Hope this helps!!

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Jimjams · 04/11/2004 21:14

I think it can appear different in girls anyway. I suppose the thing to remember as a teacher is that her problems may be in her perceptions of intentions etc- she may not react in a typically AS way- especially at school, but that doesn't mean she has understood or read the situation completely. Watch out for lack of theory of mind- or poorly developed theory of mind- the very able adults with AS I know have frequently told me they have to remind themseleves conciously of it iyswim. They do understand it, and they ca use it, but it doesn't come naturally.

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blossomhill · 04/11/2004 21:16

Hello Mrs F. How are you?

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hmb · 04/11/2004 21:17

I would say that she does appear to lack empathy, thinking about it. Understand I'm not trying to knock her diagnosis, I'm just trying to get more information.

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Jimjams · 04/11/2004 21:26

Oh no didn't think you were trying to knock the diagnosis. Have you read Martian in the Playground (Caire Sainsbury/Sailsbury? can't remember). I just wonder whether that would be useful as its written by a woman?

Mind you thinking about the boys I know with AS- some you can tell immediately you walk in the room, others it takes quite a lot of interaction before you notice. And then something happens and you think "oh boy the really are completely AS"

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hmb · 04/11/2004 21:28

I must say that with all the other Dxs I have seen I've never been at all surprised (and I have seen two girls). It is just that I have known this girl for a while know and while I see that she does have some real probelms I wouldn't have said ASD. The only think is her lack of empathy, and she still manages to have a number of strong relationships with other girls.

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roisin · 04/11/2004 21:28

hmb, I recently read Martian in the playground after a recommendation from Jimjams. It's written by Clare Sainsbury, who has Asperger's, and is a very worthwhile read in terms of getting a bit of an inside picture about what is going on, and what these children particularly struggle with at school.

And certainly she suggests that many children/young people with AS do learn to suppress many of their 'symptoms', it's just that this all has to be done consciously and deliberately, and at some cost to themselves.

It's a great book, well worth the read. (Thanks again Jimjams). I got hold of it through the library.
HTH

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roisin · 04/11/2004 21:29

Ha! Crossed posts!

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roisin · 04/11/2004 21:30

How old is she btw?

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Jimjams · 04/11/2004 21:39

lol roisin

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mrsforgetful · 04/11/2004 21:40

hmb- certainly didn't think you were 'knocking her dx'...i was just thinking how good you were coming on here to ask us!!!

Tom has a friend in his class (seems originally the teacher chose her to be his buddy- but they seem to genuinely get on )...and she helps him pack his bag at the end of the day (is this girl disorganised or slow geting packed up at end of lessons...another sign!!) and she also 'tests' his social skills ...it's actually a 'game' they play...she pulls a face....and he has to guess her feelings! This is something i was only aware of today...so what i wonder is you say she has some close friends....maybe they support her as this girl supports my son???

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blossomhill · 04/11/2004 21:42

Can someone with Aspergers tell lies or do they still have the theory of mind difficulties associated with asd?

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mrsforgetful · 04/11/2004 21:42

BH ...ok but feeling the strains of 4 days at school.....mind you....after last week being on MN till 2am most mornings....what do i expect!!!!

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Davros · 04/11/2004 21:51

My sister who has AS doesn't show stereotypies in a physical way but very much in her "conversation". I didn't think repetitive behaviour was so typical in AS????
Ha ha MrsF, I did that to Simon Baron-Cohen once, made a face and asked him what I was feeling!!!!

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mrsforgetful · 04/11/2004 21:55

DAVROS....how do you get to meet these amazing peeps?????
I've not had the courgae to even post on the Autism list i read frequently...since i found out that Jaqui jackson and mike stanton post there too...i am not worthy!!!!
I would love to get into a converstation with Mike stanton....i love his book ! And he is promoting flexi-schooling which sounds a perfect solution for alot of HFA secondary school pupils

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blossomhill · 04/11/2004 21:56

I was up unitl 12.30 last night too Mrs F. I am wrecked, seriously need an early night. I am so, so tired. At least I can have a glass of wine now as I am not on my anti-biotics anymore.
I will try and e-mail you soon. Just been a manic week and dd has inset days monday and tuesday. We are going on another shopping trip

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mrsforgetful · 04/11/2004 21:58

davros...i'm seriously thinking i need to pay to get MYSELF assessed!!!! Any suggestions ewho'd be best.....that way i could get to meet one of these amazing people you keep telling us about!!! (and to get a diagnosis would be an added bonus!) My DLA is only till august - so i expect by april they'll be after an update as to whether i still deserve it!

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Davros · 04/11/2004 21:59

Is this a new phenomenon of the era of celebrity, a name-dropping SN person ?? I was at a PACE "do" and SBC was there and I couldn't resist, I don't know him. BUT I do know Mike Stanton a little and I respect him a lot, he always talks sense but...... he doesn't have great eye contact!!

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mrsforgetful · 04/11/2004 22:01

BH...hope that you have such a great time as the last shopping trip!
I had a lovely moment with leigh yesterday (this is a bit daft). I was putting a plaster on his thumb and i was pinching the end to make it fit snuggly...and he asked me to make 5 'pinches' as there are 5 in our family! I love it when he says these silly things. it's like i get an insight into his thoughts!

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Davros · 04/11/2004 22:01

ooops MrsF, posts crossed! I don't know about who best to dx an adult (ha, ha you I mean!). It might be worth asking the NAS but I really don't know..... I'll see if I can come up with any info for you.

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blossomhill · 04/11/2004 22:05

MrsF Leigh sound slike a real sweetie. It is Leigh that they think has sematic pragmatic difficulties like my dd?

Can People with AS lie, please anyone?

I too feel like I need to be assessed as I definitely have add. Always felt different if that makes sense. My mum says I am talking rubbish when I say mum was I different as a child!

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blossomhill · 04/11/2004 22:06

Ah thanks MrsF. Dd really wants to go shopping again and as ds will be at school I can give her my full attention. I am actually looking forward to giving her some time.