When do you move to thinking it could be Aspergers/ADHD?

[Magcitrate]

Hello all,

I've just come back from a camping trip with my 7 year old DS. Seeing him amongst a big crowd stirred up thoughts of whether he might have Aspergers/ ADHD. I've had thoughts for a while but because nothing - as yet - is holding him up, I've not worried about it.

I have this sneaking feeling - and I could be wrong, I'm an overthinker! - that the gap is about to widen.

Where do I look first to check his traits/see if I might be right. Can anyone direct me towards a credible site?

Thanks

Hi,

This site is very good
www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asperger.aspx

The video on this page is good too
www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx

I find this comic strip explanation of the spectrum excellent - it shows how people with autism can present in very different ways - and not everyone has all the traits you might, as a non-expert, think are required for a diagnosis themighty.com/2016/05/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/

Thank you, that's really helpful

What things have you noticed about his behaviour? My 8 year old DS was diagnosed with autism at age 5 - it was only when he started school that it became obvious that he didn't fit in easily with the other children and didn't behave as the majority did.

Hello

Apparently, he's fine at school. He gets on ok with others - has two good friends. One, I think, is prob on the spectrum - very gifted as well - they argue but also care about each other Teachers say he's a delight to teach. What bothers me:

• he can have a very brusque, slightly off (rude sounding) way of talking to his peers, especially if he doesn't know them
• very honest to point of rudeness
• went camping and he really struggled with the big crowd of kids we were with - it was fine when they were playing footie (which he was strangely obsessed with while there, which I think was a place of safety for him) but if they were running around playing or just hanging out, he didn't seem to know how to fit and eventually stopped trying altogether. He didn't even want to say goodbye to any of them, just wanted to go to the car. It made me sad; I saw him as very vulnerable and a bit lost. It could have just been overwhelming, didn't know them all or it could be more
• controlling and argumentative - likes to constantly negotiate over everything. Thinks he's often right. Won't be told. Very wearying. I don't believe it comes from anxiety, though, like PDA
• very loud voice - VERY loud
• doing v well at school, top couple in class

But he's also very conversational (talks all the time, and does want engagement) and is emotionally very in touch and astute. No particular focus on interests - if anything, I can't get him to stick to anything - and does not like doing anything on his own. That's a battle.

Very funny and wonderful and I adore him.

But some of the above worries me and I'm trying to work out if it's ordinary age stuff or more into it.

Sorry for any errors, I'm on the phone

It sounds like he has a lot going for him so that's good.

You could maybe use social stories to improve his social skills - like, for example, not speaking too loudly - www.autism.org.uk/about/strategies/social-stories-comic-strips.aspx. Whether he has autism or ADHD or nothing he will benefit from a bit of help.

I use the Everyday Speech app with my son as it has videos teaching all sorts of social skills. It costs about £8 a month but I find its worth it -you can do a free trial. This is one of the free samples m.youtube.com/watch?v=NLm2BuW73m4