help with asperger, no idea

[lisad123]

I dont normally post here, but have had another person mention today that dd1 seems like she could have something like aspergers. I work with kids and have worked with SN children for years but guess this is a little close to home iyswim

A little background. DD just turned 6, only child until 16months ago. Shes very broight and way ahead in school with reading and maths. Obessive about drawing, will sit for hours, or her compter. She isnt great socially, hasnt got one special friend, happy to play alone or with us downstairs. Hates change most of all. We will get floods of tears if asked to try new food, activities, meeting new people ect. She doesnt get social cues very well, if she see me crying wont ask or give cuddles ect, doesnt get when people are upset with her or dont want to play with her.
She is very stuck in her ways, will ask a question, get the answer and then ask again.
everything new has to be explained to her step by step other wise the panic sets in.

Is this just normal 6 year old behaviour?? Is it worth talking to her teacher or better to see GP? Any advice would eb fab.
I could be way of course here but not the first tike its been mentioned.

Help!!

Hi Lisad123,

It is worth getting this possibility checked out, yes. It could be Asperger syndrome/ASD, or it could be something else. A good developmental paediatrician/similar specialist should be able to help. I'd talk to the teacher AND the GP if it was me.

Girls are often missed from diagnosis because often they don't go wild in the classroom if they aren't coping. The boys tend to do that, so they tend to get put in front of an assessment team pronto.

I would ask your GP for a referral to a developmental paediatrician. And do not take no for an answer!!.

do i go with a list? whats the likely hood they will say im being silly?

I would go with a list. I would also push that you have worked with SN children. I would also (if possible) take your partner (sorry I am assuming here) with you as that sometimes carries a double weight.

You could observe her over a period of a couple of days and jot down your findings. Obviously not every minute but say at key times - a friend playing with her, a new something or other happening, time the amount of time she is drawing.

If you are specific then I don't think they will say you are being silly. Likewise it may well not be Aspergers but to be honest it doesn't sound like usual 6 year old behaviour but she could just be a somewhat individual and very shy child. I would,however recommend finding out now rather than later - that way if there is a diagnosis it can follow her through school which might help with groupings, social skills lessons, etc.

Print this list out and tick off anything that has ever applied. Take it to show the GP.

Hi

Sorry I am not sure if this is right but are you misdee's sister? I am sure she was having difficulties in the same area with one of her dd's? can be hereditary. How is school? Have you looked at the national autistic society they have lots of useful info on Aspergers. I do always believe in gut instinct. Good luck

yes im misdees and SGKs sister. SGK son has possible asd i think, but its very hard as our "bright" children in each family have "odd" behaviours
thanks for advice.

thanks mumsleife, i was told the other day that dyslexia and displaxia (sp?) are also on as, is that right? Im dyslexic and dh is dysplaxic.
I find her hard work but not in normal sense iyswim. She's well behaved at school, is a real love, but attidude at home is sometimes a pain. She will often appear to not hear me, and certainly isnt graceful in her walking! I think i will take this all to teacher and GP in the next week.

meeting teacher tomorrow nervous as hell!

well teacher said she has the same behaviours at school. She said she asked her to take a note to office the other day and there was mass panic.
Shes a NQT so didnt have any sn experience at all so shes off home to do some reading up. Said she will keep me updated, by said to go and speak to gp if still worried.

It's got to be worth speaking to your GP, I'd say?

Has the school got a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator)? If so, maybe get them involved as well. But I wouldn't let it rest.

I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year, and would say I am dyspraxic but not dyslexic. Its not the end of the world, in fact it has given me many benefits!

I would also say that girls present differently and can also hide/mask the traits. AND learn how to cope better than a lot of boys.

I lent my mother a book on Asperger's and asked her if she recognised anyone in the family, and she said no! (she still doesn't know!)

well i know i hid my dyslexia for years before a good college tutor noticed. We had anothe rpanic yesterday as i ask her to come to shopwith me to buy fresh bread and help choose some lunch! Its so wearing all the time. Will see GP next week hopefully, not sure bout senco, but will ask. thanks girls loads of good advise.

teacher asked to see me after school. She said she went home and did some reading at the weekend, and has decided she thinks a referal to school nurse to get an assessment started is the best plan. Help where do we go from here.

What happened with DS is the school (there was no school nurse) referred us to the paediatrician at the local hospital/clinic, who made the diagnosis. With that diagnosis comes recommendations both to the school, and for any further help within the NHS(my DS's speech for instance).

The school will put together an IEP (Individual Education Plan) which you will have access to, to develop any skills that your DD needs help with. eg how to play with other children.

I'm not an expert though...