Aspergers and high intelligence?

[Soapysuds64]

DD (11) has always had unusual behaviour traits, but I have just had a 'light bulb moment' that they might be associated with Aspergers. Of note, she is obsessive about things (trains, dinosaurs...), very precise with the time, can't stand being touched, cannot lie. Socially, she doesn't understand if she is told that she is being rude, has only ever formed two friendships (rather than socialise/play with other children she reads a book. She always carries 3 books with her), unless she is speaking to someone about her special interests - particularly music. I mentioned my concerns to her teacher, who said she wasn't sure.... she sees some of it, but in her 30 years of teaching she had rarely taught anyone as intelligent as her (she reads ALOT). She felt that her reluctance to speak to her peers was attributed to the fact that she felt superior to them and found them uninteresting. I see her point, but I wonder if her intelligence is masking the Aspergers, and that she has been successful in developing strategies to help her overcome her Aspergers traits. She has never really had any behavioural issues, meltdowns etc - but I wonder if this is a girl thing?

Does anyone have any experience with very clever kids and Aspergers?

Have a look at this soapy

www.senmagazine.co.uk/articles/articles/senarticles/is-autism-different-for-girls

Good luck Ineedmoretinsel, hope it goes well.

There is also an article on 'twice exceptional' about gifted children with learning disabilities, I cant remember who wrote it. Im sure someone will remember, might be worth a read

and this www.sengifted.org/archives/articles/overexcitability-and-the-gifted

Take a look at Potential Plus, previously known as the Gifted children's association. They have some stuff on Dual exceptionality too.

Thanks claw you know how it is, you have to just keep going

Thanks again, have read all these extras. Things are ok at school, but I am less confident about next year, mostly because of her lack of organisational skills. It is good to hear that socially things might be better for her anyway. I knew she was bright, I just hadn't realised she was that bright. This is giving me a lot more confidence to push the school for more action, and I will give some thought to demonstrate how she has been masking her asperger traits.

The increased organisation required for secondary is a challenge even for neurotypical children. If she will be boarding, then perhaps think about starting to teach her organisational skills now. They can be learned.

I have Aspergic traits and was disorganised to the nth degree until adolescence. I am now the most organised person I know, because I have continued to use the strategies I developed in secondary school.

You have just described me as a child, and I am mid (adult) diagnosis for ASD - and I have a friend who was the same and is also awaiting a dx. Both of our IQs are 140-150 depending on the test used.

A lot of coping strategies can be learnt. Many aspies find lists are helpful - I carry a notebook with them in, with a timetable of regular activities inside the cover. Would this help your DD?

Ds1 has an asd diagnoses, specifically PDD although I think AS fits better tbh.

His intelligence is through the roof but he struggles socially, is very abrupt and rude and doesn't really grasp social norms. Plus a whole host of sensory issues and behavioural problems (he has ADHD too)

CAMHS diagnosed him within 2 months of initial contact.

Your best bet is getting a referral yourself, in some ways it's actually harder for kids who have high intelligence as people seem to make fewer concessions for them as they are so bright, they're sort of expected to just figure it out but can't and are often punished for what's seen as rudeness, superiority and bullying when in fact they just don't grasp what's expected of them.