feeling worried

[cheeryface]

ds2 is 11 , he has recently left his secondary school. He seemed unable to cope with the transition from primary and was being bullied . The school were appalling and refused to accept there was any bullying , they say its ds2 problem and suggested aspergers.

His behaviour has been pretty bad since all this, upsetting and angry outbursts etc . maybe a bit to do with puberty though aswell, who knows

whats worrying me though is that ds2 has been having very frequent headaches for the last 4-5 months and today , twice he forgot very normal words. He couldnt remember what lemonade was kept in (a bottle) instead saying 'round at the bottom, you know and smaller at the top'

then he forgot 'grid' saying 'what are they called ? those square drainage things'

we are waiting to have him assessed about the aspergers but we have to wait 6 months and i dont really think thats it.

.

Bumping for you. Has he seen the doctor about the headaches? Could it be a symptom of stress?

The doctor didnt seem too concerned about the headaches and told me to just give painkillers but when its every week i think thats a bit much especially since hes missing doing things he likes .

could be stress related but hes been off school 5 weeks and still having them. saturday he was in a very happy mood all day and then woke with headache sunday morning.

do you think its normal for him to be forgetting simple words ?

Tbh I would ask for a CAT scan. Even though it's extremely unlikely but morning headaches can be a sign of a brain tumour. Is he feeling nauseous/is sick as well?

He may be suffering from migraines resulting from the stress at school. These can still be happening, even though the cause of stress has been removed, as he'll still be thinking about it. I do think another thorough check up wouldn't do him any harm at all. You will be getting some boundary pushing at this age, including outbursts and angry behaviour (I have 3 11 year olds, 2 of whom are boys, plus an 18 year old boy), but there will probably be an element of anger at his treatment there. Some counselling might be good for him. Your GP can refer him to CAMHS.

I would look to pushing for neurological examinations (MRI etc) to rule out a physiological cause. Only then would I look at stress increasing his AS tendencies and liaising with the school, psychologist etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about this Cheery. Although i know you will because you are a mum!

I'm a teacher and frequently come across children who suffer with regular headaches. Generally, they tend to stop as mysteriously as they started without any bother. Although he's been off school, he may still be anxious about going back (is he going back to the same school, going somewhere else, or being home educated?)especially if he has struggled socially.
Have you tried talking to him about his behaviour? He may find it easier to draw or write about his feelings than talk, but it may be useful for him to express himself.

The staff at his school have behaved appallingly. Asperger's or not, there is no excuse to ignore or dismiss bullying and you have both been let down.

I would keep an eye on him forgetting simple words, but don't worry too much. Stress, anxiety and tiredness can all do that, and we all have moments when we forget simple things. May be worth keeping a log of when this happens.

There is lots of info on the web regarding how to support people with Asperger's - you may find a few simple adjustments make his life, and yours, a lot happier. Good luck.