Aspergers : square one

I am late in posting this, but felt the need to talk about it tonight.

My son was diagnosed with Aspergers in August. He will be 4 this January.

Our first time go at therapy was a joke. She was late half the time ( awesome thing to do to a restless kid) and she isn't very educated on anything honestly. There were a few times we actually sat there Googling things I asked about.

That being said it seems like a stupid question but since some of you moms have been through this much longer, you may have answers.

What should I expect out of therapy? What expectations should I have of a therapist?

Do you sometimes feel like your child doesn't "identify" with his/her diagnosis? Sometimes when we have good days, I think, maybe I shouldn't have taken him for all these evals. Maybe I put this label on him, then my mind races about that.

Then when we have days where he exhibits things that concern me, I feel comfortable/safe with having a word to put to the chaos, and a diagnosis to have answers for.

I am incredibly confused and exhausted. I honestly sometimes feel like our lives are never going to get better. I feel like a prisoner to my son right now. Not because he has different needs. I will always be here for him, but because his mood/behaviors dictate our entire existence.

I have another child to raise, and I feel like she's getting nothing from me.

There's just more questions than answers right now. I really need to connect with people that understand this. My family does not.

I would get a new therapist. She sounds dumb. She should get to know your child's particular behaviors not google crap.

Quoting lolajessup:" I would get a new therapist. She sounds dumb. She should get to know your child's particular behaviors not google crap."

We are in the process. I have a few prospective centers I am looking at.

I asked her if she thought my son would benefit from a weighted blanket, and she literally googled them. I was like   you're fired.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Turd Ferguson:</b>" We are in the process. I have a few prospective centers I am looking at. I asked her if she thought ... [snip!] ... if she thought my son would benefit from a weighted blanket, and she literally googled them. I was like   you're fired."</blockquote>

Omg.   yeah get him some real help. Is this an occupational therapist?

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time right now.

My daughter is 15 and she was diagnosed with autism/asperger's when she was about 6 years old I think? She didn't talk at all until she was 3, she was a spinner, licker and sniffer. lol. When she did start to talk, it was full sentences and she was also echolalic. She would also use whole phrases she'd picked up to communicate specific ideas. For instance, she would say "I'm not dead yet! I feel HAPPY!" to indicate that she was having a good time. It totally freaked out her teacher. lol

It took us a while to find a good psychologist for her social skills training/behavioral therapy. We were lucky enough to find one that specializes in ASD. She would use play therapy to help my daughter work out problems.

There are times that I don't think she's autistic but I'm also aware that I have a skewed idea of normal. heh. There was a period of several years where we couldn't go out in public or leave her with a babysitter because she would have a meltdown. Things have gotten so much better since her OT and behavioral therapy.

Much of my family often overlooked her behavior and dismissed her diagnosis. Calling me paranoid and overprotective. It's exhausting and confusing at times but she's improved so much from where we started. It gets better.

I know how you are feeling right about now. I have a 17 year old son with Aspergers. He was not diagnosed until 4th grade so I have been dealing with this disorder going on 7 years. It is tough in the beginning to understand everything that is going on with your child but once you figure out a routine for him it will get easier. These children require a lot of patience and a ton of guidance but they grow up to be productive people. As for your therapist I would request someone with more knowledge on this disorder, if she doesn't know much about it how can she help your child. Also I'm not sure if you can get this book because I got it from my sons social worker at school but it's called, Aspergers What? My other bit of advice is do tons of research about Aspergers, there is a lot of information out there that will help you help your child at home. I also have a 5 year old son that was just diagnosed with another form of autism so I'm starting all over again too. If I can be of any help just let me know. Best of luck.

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Turd Ferguson:</b>" We are in the process. I have a few prospective ... [snip!] ... was like   you're fired."</blockquote> Omg.   yeah get him some real help. Is this an occupational therapist?"

No OT was not her focus. She was a behavioral therapist. This was the supposed starting point for us. This was our first Aspergers diagnosis.

I had him evaluated with First Steps, PreSchool diagnostics and another doc prior and they all shared the same idea that he was showing extremely defiant behavior and a delay in cognitive abilities. They said his vocabulary was poor for his age but it was workable.

I spent a few hours with this doctor this time, and it had been a year since I had him last evaluated. I trust that what he sees is real so to speak.

I knew the moment I saw my son for the first time he was different. I know that may seem stupid of hard to understand, but I felt it inside me.

I am crying  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Turd Ferguson:</b>" No OT was not her focus. She was a behavioral therapist. This was the supposed starting point for us. ... [snip!] ... the first time he was different. I know that may seem stupid of hard to understand, but I felt it inside me. I am crying  "</blockquote>

*hugs. Don't cry mama. Just keep your head up and find your baby the best help out there. This lady is dumb dont let her get u down. Find a new therapist and go from there. There's gonna be te perfect person for your son out there to help.

I am a parent of Aspergers Daughter, and this type of info is really helpful for her.


http://cluas.ie/children/aspergers-syndrome/