Going to dr tomorrow for referral for Aspergers for my son

[buildingmycorestrength]

Hi all. After years of wondering about my now 8 yr old son, lots of anxiety about him (for multiple and not always rational reasons), reading books, enquiring about referrals, having low-level assessments by the school and being told by everyone that he may be a bit 'borderline' but there is nothing to worry about (inc friends with children with HFA), it is finally time to deal with this properly.

I am going to the (fantastic) doc tomorrow armed with my lists and notes from the brilliant chat I had with his teacher at today's parents' evening, and I'm going to present my case, and I will get a referral.

I may wait months for a diagnosis, but I will then know one way or another.

I could give you all a long list with symptoms, or whatever I should call it, quirks? Personality attributes? Anyway, not necessary just here. He is definitely not a very serious case but it is causing some problems at school and it won't get easier as he gets into adolescence.

I am so calm about this, it is a bit weird. I'm just totally certain it is time to sort this out.

Suffice to say, he isn't 'growing out of it'. Thanks for being there, all you kind people.

Good luck with your appointment! I unfortunately have no advice to add . My ds' s salt has suggested we apply to have him assessed for aspergers also. He is 8 and attending speech and language for approx 1 1/2 years for language delay. however our new speech and language therapist feels its more of a communication disorder he has. He does get anxious when trying to express himself. He is very literal. Doesnt get humour. Loves his friends being around but can only play outdoor games. no pretend or imaginary games are allowed and he will just leave the group or storm off if they begin that type of play. he has no repetitive behaviors. he has limited intersts alright and will always resort back to these if he is stuck for something to talk about. he is not an affectionate child as in does not like to hugged but likes to sit next to me just not cuddling etc. Just not sure what to do for the best. Maybe an assessment would answer a lot of our questions too !

Okay, pediatrician will see him on Thursday. I am surprisingly nervous. It is just...important...isn't it.

A few things I know I want to ask...apart from 'What's up with him, then?'

1. does he need Physio for his years of tiptoe walking? He has been complaining of sore legs and I'm not sure if the stretches I get him to do are the right ones.

2. Do we just speak to the GP about a bedwetting alarm?

3. He has flapping, chewing, rubbing, and various other sensory behaviours...he should probably see an OT for that..does that come from GP? And how to deal with in the meantime? We have given him a chew toy but not sure if this is good.

4. He sometimes goes into a sort of 'limbo' state when he isn't being told what to do, or if he has forgotten the instructions from one minute previously how to to deal with this?

5. How should we deal with school anxiety for now?

6. Will he now be assessed by others? at school by an EP? What happens about the statement process? How do we even determine whether it is necessary?

Anything else that I should ask?

Thanks so much everyone.

Good result, I think.

He looked at all my notes I had sent, and after quite a short chat, I thought, said he would refer for Physio and OT, as well as ensuresis clinic, and gave me a couple of questionnaires to complete. He also will get some more information from the school, and then will meet with me and my husband. He hardly looked at my son but he said he wouldn't get a clear picture from a short interaction anyway.

He said he doesn't have enough information for a formal diagnosis yet, but is thinking Aspergers and should have enough info by the next time we meet.

I am pleased but a bit shaky now.

Awww I was the same after our initial appt, I actually went to bed at 7pm and just lay in the dark crying! It really hit me then what was happening, and it is exhausting!

Ours was slightly different in that the school and I filled out lots of questionnaires before hand, and I brought an 8 page diary of the previous week with me, I also copied every single school report she ever had and sent it to paed. So she was able to refer dd to autism assessment clinic at that first appt, we are now waiting for that.

It's great you got those referrals made, we are having a lot of trouble getting them!

Yes, I had written up a load of stuff and sent school observations as well! All helpful. Don't think we have a separate autism assessment clinic here, not sure.