aspergers or lang delay?

[babyinarms]

Ds 8 attends speech and language for language delay for nearly 2 years now. Started with new salt recently who feels there maybe more to Ds than previously thought. she thinks he might have asperger syndrome. He lacks imagination and finds pretend play very difficult . However he is very sociable and doesn't have repetitive behaviours. He can play with friends well as long as its outdoor and physical like football but any other socialising is difficult for him. is there a possibility it is aspergers or can all this be put down to his language delay? any help appreciated

I always understood it that way that one aspect of aspergers was that speech/language were not delayed - unlike autism for example (not saying your DS has autism though).

Thanks for reply. I have also read that. I personally feel it's a language delay but he had some quirks also. He can be difficult to read. He isnt the most expressive child and doesn't show a lot of emotion but I'm not sure it's aspergers either. Just its confusing when something else is thrown into the mix!

It's more of a language delay than a speech delay. As in his speech developed fine but its his language and ability to describe/ retell/recall events etc are difficult for him. I do think he lacks social imagination as he finds it hard to understand humour and read people. This also affects his reading comprehension. But as I said before he is very sociable and actually craves company. he is not good on his own Always wants friends over. His IQ is high average ( tested last year). maybe it is all down to his lang delay

ps: Thanks polter

DS's consultant told me that if they can talk clearly before they can walk it is a huge pointer for Aspergers. DS was using two or three word phrases before he was 12months.

I wasn't' making light of Aspergers, far from it, but just passing on what I was told.

thanks everyone. He does struggle a bit socially but not majorly. I supposr my concern is going forward that he doesnt distance from his friends as conversation takes over from the rough and tumble. Will see how he gets on with this new salt and take it from there. thanks for the advice. It's just so hard some times when your not too sure what is going on x

choc, polter and zzz, I was trying to remember exactly what the new salt sai and she actually said she felt that DS maybe on the mild end of the spectrum. I (through ignorance) presumed she meant aspergers as I obviously haven't a lot of knowledge about autism. so maybe she did mean Hfa and not aspergers as he does have a language delay. I will be seeing her again on Thursday and will ask her. It's a lot to take in. I do think at last I've found someone who "gets" ds and understands him x

My Dd3 definately does not have a speech delay but she does have huge issues with social communication, talking and understanding her emotions and describing events accurately.

She also plays well with friends when it is charging around the garden or soft play centre. She finds it extremely difficult to have play dates at home.

She has a diagnosis of Asd, she is academically able although she does struggle at school, we often describe as having aspergers because she does fit that profile.

I think your SALT sounds quite observant and that maybe you should try to get chance to sound her out about what she is thinking.

Good luck

DS's speech is delayed and disordered which leads to social impairement and anxiety and although he has ASD dx many professionals have commented that is not a clear boundary if the speech problems lead to autistic type behaviour and learning difficulties or is it ASD. On top of it to make it more complex he had a head injury.

I agree with others, SALT should be looking into strategies in helping him. DS struggles so much in school because his S&L is not addressed appropriately as all his issues are seen as part of his ASD :(

Thanks again all. i am going to persevere with salt and see how he prgresses. She has some new approaches which I think are addressing his major issues at the mo. She is working on getting him to visualise and descibe things. He seems receptive to this approach also. so heres hoping . I will not jump into getting anymore assessments done until I see how he responds to this therapy. I do realise that a language delay can cause social issues in its own right. Thanks again and good luck in getting the help your dc's need and deserve also.