Queries about 'bizarre' Asperger's behaviour

[RockinSockBunnies]

As I'm fairly newish to the ASD world, having become step-mother to DP's son (aged eight) who has a formal diagnosis of Asperger's, I'm trying to fathom and try to understand his behaviour and how common it is.

I know that ASD is a spectrum and that all children with ASD are different in their behaviours, to an extent. However, DSS's 'bizarre and disturbing' behaviour (I'm quoting school reports that have been compiled for the statementing process) seems extreme to me for a diagnosis of HFA/Asperger's.

Examples of DSS's behaviour (mostly at school, less so at home):

Licking the other children
Spitting
Occasionally biting other children
Crawling under desks
Shouting out incomprehensible words or phrases, repeatedly, when the teacher is teaching or when the children are supposed to be working
Soiling himself and not telling anyone or being bothered by it
Picking fluff off other children's clothing
Throwing items across the room

DSS is struggling hugely academically in certain areas, although is extremely intelligent and has an incredible vocabulary, can read very well and is fascinated by science. However, his written work is atrocious, he refuses to complete simple tasks and is currently taking 90% of the teacher or TA's time everyday as they endeavour to make him engage and focus on the tasks in hand.

DSS is at a mainstream primary and the statement process is underway. The school is pushing for 1-to-1 provision.

This aside, though, are such extreme and disruptive behaviours the norm for a diagnosis of Asperger's, rather than autism? I read about children with Asperger's on these boards, who try to fit in, or try and keep their heads down and not get picked on, who are self-conscious. DSS is nothing like that.

Anyone with any experience like this. Has anyone's DCs improved, behaviour-wise, as they've become older?

well as far as I know HFA & AS are diagnosed where there is autism (triad of impairments) with no learning disability (average IQ). AS means there no speech delay at 3 (which doesn't mean language & communication are typical).

I think this illustrates the problem with a diagnosis of HFA or AS - people do tend to think it means 'mild autism' but that really isn't the case - there cam be very severe behavioural disturbances with either diagnosis. Locally they only diagnosis ASD, with specific language/learning/behavioural/sensory issues as a secondary diagnosis (e.g. DS has ASD + Language Delay which basically means HFA) to avoid the whole 'oh he's not that bad it's only HFA/AS' situation.

DS is 8 and has AS, in some ways he is very self-conscious - he won't put his hand up to guess an answer even if he is 99% sure it is right in case people laugh that he is wrong, he would have to be 100% sure to put his hand up.
But he doesn't get self conscious about the fact that if something goes differently to normal he will be hidden under a desk - where he feels secure. Or shouting out if the vicar uses a word in church that he doesn't recognise and wants to know what it means. Or crying in class or having a panic attack that he can't write a story.
He doesn't lick other children - but he does lick metal railings, or puddles, and carries around rocks in his pockets.
Like your DSS he has a massive vocab and reads well, but having to write things down is a major struggle, and his teachers find it frustrating that he appears very capable but never seems to achieve what they would expect.
I am trying to tackle one behaviour at a time.

Ds has become better as he has become older and is using strategies tocope better.

All children with ASD will show different behaviours from each other purely because it's is a syndrome and so although there are common aspects ( the triad of impairments) they all will have different bits they struggle with to different intesities.

Actually your list doesn't look too unfamiliar tbh.
Lots of sensory intergration there by the looks of it, issues with attention, lack of theory of mind etc etc.

You may want to read 'the complete guide to aspergers' by tony attwood, 'the out of sync child'
and have a good nose through the NAS website.

And totally agree with tackling one behaviour at a time.. Try and work out why first and then small steps and lots of positive re-enforcement...

And when our children do achieve you get so proud of what would be small things to NT children. Just look through the board here and you'll find lots of proud posts for what would seem small milestones. But they are HUGE!

Rockin I have some excellent powerpoints from my Uni course in MA and would happily share with you if you PM me your email addy.

I agree with carrot BTW; inparticular sensory issues are screaming from that list. often these can be helped with decent input, either from an OT (I heaard someone spotted one still in the NHS recently ) or you could consider a charity such as BIBIC as I would anticipate a good skills match there; Dyscovery also good, slightly more expensive though.

As for diagnosis, severity of behaviour isn;t a factor somewhat unsuprisingly. basically, anyone getting a spectrum DX has got to meet the triad and related criteria (google DSM Autism adn you will find the list- almost all PCTs use this: ICD-10 if not).

Then it's this simple:

Presence of no significant langauge delays and no formal learning difficulty (so IQ around 65 up) = Asperger's.

Language delay before 3 + no learning difficulty = HFA

laanguage delays before 3 + Learning Difficulty = autism.

you will note the whole concept of Aspergers as mild autism is wrong; I have one with AS, one with Autism: I knwo which one's ahrdest toc are for, it's the one with Aspergers every time.

Oh and a final word: when people say langauge delays they do mean that very specifically: langauge issues etc without delay are common in all parts of the spectrum.