Right I had a very insightful appt today and wonder how many of these are common for Aspergers children?

[TheLadyEvenstar]

These are the things DS1 does and I have been told they are common for Aspergers children.

Eating fast

Not washing/showering/bathing

Stripping bed

Wearing same clothes day in day out

Late to ride a bike

Chewing knuckles/pens/nails.

These are a few of the things DS does and I am curious as to whether they are as common as I was told they are.

I have been told most are down to his sensory issues. I don't understand how the bike riding is, unless it is down to the sensation of both feet off the ground???

I thought I'd read this one before

And we got an ASD (AS) dx if anyone was interested in my musings above :) So a joint one!

My DS has dx of HFA since 6 but they reassessed and tried to change to AS when he was 12 - but I refused the AS dx (long story) - but thats what the 'experts' think his dx is.
Re the list: Apart from the chewing fingers (DS chews nails and cuticles - but so did my brother and he didn't have AS) none of the other things apply to him. In fact he rode a bike at the same time as his peers and I constantly have to shout to get him out of the shower!!!
So I am not convinced that the list is something that could be used to point to a diagnosis without lots of other 'issues' added to it.

Hmm,

Eating fast....No Dd3 is really slow and likes everything to be cold.

Not washing.... yep her handwashing is an artform. Showering always involves lots of shouting and general angryness.[sp]

Stripping bed... no but she takes other things apart all the time.

Wearing the same clothes... Oh yes, she currently has two tops, a couple of pairs of shorts and tights/leggings. She has very recently started putting shorts over her leggings/tights because her big sis told her its trendy. No clothes must fit, everything is 2 sizes too big.

Late riding a bike... No but is not really in control of it and crashes alot.

Chewing.... Yep, she chews her way through her stabilo pen/pencil at school regularly and also t shirt collars and the TV buttons.

It is definitely sensory, we try to ignore as much as we can and have learned to live with most of it.

Oh, sorry meant to say she has a dx of ASD is 9 and is high functioning.

Answered for my boys:

Eating fast - Yes. Sometimes slow. It's all sensory, but they're definitely more on the side of being mouth stuffers, so we have to keep a close eye at mealtimes

Not washing/showering/bathing - sensory. DS1 goes through phases of hating getting washed and both boys hate the shower, so have calm baths, instead.

Stripping bed - best not give them ideas, since we're free of this one. I tend to find everything piled ON DS1's bed.

Wearing same clothes day in day out - we escape this, too, but they have definite styles and makes that they prefer. Seams, labels and fabrics itch horribly and even hurt to over-sensitive skin (I know this one from my own experience)

Late to ride a bike -Both boys. It's part of the dyspraxia and poor motor planning which often comes alongside ASD.

Chewing knuckles/pens/nails. Sensory again. Both boys chew all sorts and DS1 has become a sod for chewing the base of his thumb until it's raw when he's stressed about things. I cured myself of the pen thing with sticky bandage!

We're still very early days pre dx if there is anything there.

DS is 8 and I have more chance of winning an oscar than I have of getting him to ride his bike without training wheels. (Apparently I'm trying to kill him)

He eats very fast and constantly. Due to constant activity his weight is normal thankfully.

Loves being in water, hates getting washed. Would never change his clothes if we didn't persist, with the exception of underpants.

Loves his hats. Have to not be itchy though, so many clothes are itchy.

He bites his nails a little but his main habits are hand flapping and touching each finger to thumb on both hands.

(He has so many lovely traits too which are great fun. Reading since he was two. Talking since he was about 11 months in sentences. Hilariously deadpan. Ability to recall anything he's seen on QI or horrible histories. I just wanted to list some of the flags I love about him. )

Your DS sounds great Debeez. All of our children have quirks and bits that are a bit irritating but the lovely bits really are lovely :)

Thanks Ben10. I actually think he's blooming ace! I'm lucky in that my social circle is all of the same flock like me and DP. Lots of understanding and love.

He's just started playing outside with the other children. He stood up for himself recently. I got a tear. Massive social breakthrough. The challenges make the triumphs all the sweeter.

DS only has "autistic traits" - not a full diagnosis : (

Eating fast

No but he sure does make a mess, cutlery use remains a source of confusion.

Not washing/showering/bathing

Water was his earliest obsession and it still is. Getting him OUT of the bath is the problem!

Stripping bed

Sleeps in onesies & a sleeping bag as ordinary duvets are a wasted effort.

Wearing same clothes day in day out

Doesn't everyone buy outfits in identical batches? I often buy 3 of the same style jumper in different colours once it has passed the DS approval rating. Thank heavens for Primark joggers . Clothes and sheets etc MUST be soft.

Late to ride a bike

yes

Chewing knuckles/pens/nails.

Not really but is a constant fiddler - luvving that blu-tack for his teachers sanity.

All sound familiar apart from the eating fast!

Eating fast - Not fast but very messy and at 12 still struggles with cutlery.

Not washing/showering/bathing - Has to be reminded constantly to shower, usual cry is "do I have to wash my hair as well".

Stripping bed - hates his bed clothes being changed as doesnt like the feel of freshly washed linen.

Wearing same clothes day in day out - has favourite comfy clothes but is getting better, doesnt seem to mind looking dirty these days though :(

Late to ride a bike - Oh yes took us years to teach him even now he is like a toddler and very wobbly, struggles to get his balance and hates the feel of bumpy ground, is also petrified he is going to fall off and hurt himself (v low pain threshold for small incidents)

Chewing knuckles/pens/nails. - Nails and surrounding skin bitten til they bleed, now chews clothes, pencils, rubbers etc at school.

I'm still learning new things about aspergers, I recently came into contact with the school nurse who comes in to massage some children and she has given me some great insights!

Can I ask a question? Do any of the parents here fit into a non neurotypical diagnosis themselves?

No to eating fast and bed stripping, yes to the others although we have now got the bathing accepted as part of routine.