If I suspected DD could have Aspergers what should I do?

[NigellaTheOriginal]

s GP first port of call or someone else?

[bethoo]

Aspergers is hard to diagnose isnt it? see your gp and if you fele they are nto being helpful ask to be refered to a specialist.
from little i know Aspergers is a form of autism where the child cannot relate in social groups and finds it hard to make eye contact. though sometimes it may just be a shy child.
hope you get help even if it is just to reassure you that nothing is wrong.

[MsDemeanor]

How old is she? If school age, I'd talk to her teachers and the Senco for their input and suggestions. If younger, see your GP or HV and ask to be referred to a developmental paediatrician. Why do you think she might have Aspergers? I tend to think parents know when something isn't right, by the way.

[PussinWellies]

Ahem...
the lack of eye contact is not really a good indication one way or the other (parent of AS child here). Maybe have a good browse through the NAS website first and look at the 'triad of impairments' (perhaps you've done this already). Or come over to Special Needs and ask away, whether it's a vague suspicion or something more concrete.

[overthemill]

gp, HV, paediatrician/child psychologist

[PussinWellies]

Oh yes, meant to add that (according to my v articulate son) there is in fact nothing 'wrong' with having Aspergers.
He's starting to get rather militant about this!

[PussinWellies]

Our HV helpfully asked me what Aspergers was...

[NigellaTheOriginal]

She's 10 and something is most definately not right.
has been seing drs for constant nausea and tummy aches for about a year with no 'real' reason why. thought for a while to could be gluten but tests for that clear. she is incredibly stroppy and anxious. needs routine and planning for everything and then if anything changes has spectacular tantrums. She is rude and badly behaved without any understanding that her actions may upset someone else. she has to have everything done her way or else. I cannot get her to do anything she'd rather not do. her diet is rubbish.
she's bright but can't/won't try anything because she is afraid of failing.
she was a dream baby but turned into a monster at about 18 months-ish. She is emotionally immature. still has to sit on top of me and get taken into school rather than going on her own, still has a blankey and sucks her thumb and clings.
She will only wear certain clothes on certain days of the week - if they're not clean she'll go off on one. the list of 'not normal' is endless and she is worrying e.

[MsDemeanor]

OK, I can see why you are concerned. Haven't her teachers flagged up anything before now? Have you had a chat with the special needs coordinator? I do think it would be a good idea to see your gp (you don't have to take her btw) explain all her difficulties and ask for a referral to a developmental paediatrician. Tell the Senco at school you are doing this and that you feel she needs more support at school because you suspect she has special needs.

[bubblagirl]

i went to gp who reffered me to someone else with in child development team who assessed my ds for a yr he is 3 and was just diagnosed with HFA not much difference as far as i was told to aspergers but he has the speech delay

he keeps eye contact but have noticed he doesnt when he talks all the time sometimes he will other times he will avert his eyes away

he is very bright and will concentrate on things above age appropiate has no idea how to act in pre school environment will play along side children but doesnt communicate or play with but been told normal 3 yr old behviour anyway

best thing you can do is tell gp list of worries best to write them down they can refer you to someone in child development team who will assess and see uif any need to refer you for assessments

i hope your ok it is very worrying none of my ds behaviour was typical to what was written on internet but alot to others in sn forum so i got alot of help and advise from there

[bubblagirl]

imm really suprised also that no one had noticed before now you see its really difficult as it can be ectreme stubborness or more to it

pre school noticed ds straight away as at home totally different boy easy going attepts to talk which is coming along great doesnt need routine likes some things the same but doesnt bother him if changed

outsif=de the home completely different needs routine never noticed before pre school informed me at multi disciplinery assessment but not before that though so i persumed all was ok

now i have noticed simple things as going into town he needs routine he has days where he has to have things his own way he has to do it etc strops if i do it but can also be normal stubborn behaviour speak to gp who will refer you

[NigellaTheOriginal]

Thnks.
schoolhave been a bit shite really. they know what she's like but not much practical help. will have to try the GP again.
We did see someone a CAMHs last January after she went through a phase of school refusal. can't say thy were that much help either though. an'understanding' social worker type who wanted to know how happy we were as a family - thereby laying all blame and guilt at my feet. also not much practical help as by the time we got seen i could get DD into school so didn't get followed up. Will give them a call too - or will they think I'm mad?

[MsDemeanor]

Defintely GP and ask specifically for a referral to a DEVELOPMENTAL PAEDIATRICIAN. That's the person who can diagnose Aspergers.

[NigellaTheOriginal]

We're seeing the paed gstro dr again in a week would it beworth asking them? GP thinks I have munchousens.

[Flamesparrow]

For me, we went to the GP (one I trusted) and I told him all my concerns. He then referred us to the community paed.

The paed was a bit of a nightmare who just kept telling me she wasn't autistic (I know that!!), and they can't tell AS until they are older (DD is 5, but you should have no problem with the age thing!!), but even with the uselessness, he is seeing us every 6 months to see how she is developing.

[MsDemeanor]

My ds was diagnosed at three with no problems at all! You do really need a developmental paediatrician. They are the experts.

[Flamesparrow]

Trying to get to see one here is like trying to buy rocking horse sh*t in sainsburys

[NigellaTheOriginal]

oh dear - where are you FS?

[Flamesparrow]

Bournemouth. They just keep pointing me back at the same doctor. I'm starting to think that he sees any children who have names starting with a certain letter - we saw the same bloke for her hearing test too!!

Problem with DD is that it is mild. I know in the whole life situation, that is a good thing, but it also makes me seem more like neurotic mother

(sorry - thread hijack )

[NigellaTheOriginal]

not at all. would assume they'd send us to Bristol - will do a bit of searching to find nearest developmental bod to us.
although will possibly just bury my head in sand again for a bit onger.

[Flamesparrow]

Head burying not good - she will be starting senior school in a year (or Sept if she is a summer baby???), if you get a dx then you have something concrete for her next school.

[IndigoMoon]

bit of a random question, did she walk late???

hope you get a diagnosis x

[NigellaTheOriginal]

Walked at normal age - just over a year. speach took a bit long though. quite unclear for a long time.

[ScottishMummy]

gp referral to developmental paediatrician for assessment. do take any observations or concerns, try write down your specific worrries eg nausea,temper with dates, frequency, does anything set it off, any specific cues. keep a diary see if any pattern emerges

has she had physical tests eg blood tests etc to check for any underlying physical condition

you say she is 10, how long have you been concerned

has anyone else raised concerns

the physical concerns - how long and with what frequency

is her behaviour consistent with everyone else or is she better/worse with others

do be persistent and request an assessment

[VictorianSqualor]

Go to GP and SENCO/Class teacher.
If you go the teacher and explain you're seeing the gp wrt possible AS and ask him/her to have a word with the SENCO and get anything they have noticed written down (they should have a criteria they can look at and see if she has the traits) they are more likely to get something done.

Same with the GP tell him that the school have suggested you get a referral from him to a developmental paed as it will be quicker than going through them and that they're assessing too.

When both parties think the other party is on top form they work better and quicker (or so it seemed when I spoke to DD's teacher about the possible dyspraxia)

[mindfulmama]

Agree with all the sensible advice about GP/SENCO etc. Also NAS. They have helpful people who can talk to you and guide you to your nearest local specialists. However, it is possible that she has anxiety based difficulties so you really need someone who can look at everything, esepcially as there have been physical things too. I never get why profs think any Mother wants their kids to have things which are wrong... most of us just want support to help our children when there are things which really are wrong! Don't give up being your daughter's advocte, but beware of seeming to have diagnosed her even in your head as that puts profs backs up and you are going to need them on your side for a while yet!. Good luck.