Asperger, Autism, or just being a 7yr old boy?

[cager]

My 7 year old began developmental preschool based on speech delay/possible PDD NOS at age 3.  My son did display odd behaviors such as humming to himself frequently, toe walking vs. using his whole foot, appearing to not hear when being spoken too (hearing was tested and fine), making little to no eye contact when being spoken too, inability to follow simplistic directions, shrugging away from hugs/affection unless he was one to initiate, obsessed with color green, and very delayed speech with poor communication of needs.  When we moved to Idaho, the developmental preschool said my son was very bright.  The staff didn’t observe any autistic-like behaviors.  My son was released from special education after completing kindergarten.  He is currently finishing 1st grade and doing academically fine. However, his current teacher has recently brought to my attention behaviors she feels are causing social problems for my son:
* Obliviously hums to himself or makes some sort of self-soothing noise when stressed/ concentrating
* Appears not to hear (little to no eye contact) BUT will follow directions being spoken
* Shrugs away from any sort of affection
* No consistent/close friends
* Aggressive on playground, not knowing or respecting boundaries
* Poor communication/written expression skills causing great frustration for (feels no one understands him)
* Often so obsessed with routine that if routine changes slightly he is totally unable to cope
It was suggested by his teacher/school counselor that my son likely has Aspergers.  His pediatrician (who has experience working with autistic children) assured me that my son does not have Aspergers/Autism.  The school has encouraged me to seek expensive child development specialist on their recommendation.  Should I pursue this further or trust my son’s doctor as my husband does and chalk it up to my son just “being a boy?” If I should pursue this further, any suggestions where to turn for a parent w/little cash and no health insurance?

[RockRose]

cager,  on what grounds does your doc say your son doesn't have Aspergers?  What experience,  exactly,  does your doc have with children with Aspergers?  I would be hesitant to take his word for it alone.

And your husband is being a dad.  ;D  They seem to have a very hard time,  in general,  with realizing their children may have special needs.

I think you should have him thoroughly evaluated, because the social difficulties he's having will probably get much worse and he'll be isolated.  The earlier,  the better on catching this.

Best wishes.  

[mjx]

my advise is just to follow your sons doctor, you could also try to talk to your son regarding this matter. try to visit this site http://besthealthoptions.com/baby-child-care, you might get some useful information about child bahavior. gud day!

[Christy H]

Cager, the info that you have provided in my experince as both a special ed teacher for autistic children and a parent of a child with PDD, i advise that you ask and be firm about recieving a full assessment for your child, I do not know if Idaho has laws as Calif does that the school district must provide you with a full assessment at their expence, this should include , nursing assessment, speech, social assessment, academic assessment and behavior assessment. If your child does not meet the requirments for being labeled with a disabilty under the 13 catagories of diabilties under IDEA, You can request what is called a Section 504 under the IDEA act which says that if your child does not meet the classical label for tradional IEP services you can recieve services for behavior and social issues. As the other post said the earlier you get services the better off you and your family will be. You are your child best advocate and the best weapon is knowledge, please research what the 504 law is in your state and cross-refernce that with what IDEA and NO Child Left Behind Laws states. Once you ask for a full assessment is most states the law states that the school district must provide with a meeting to discuss the findings of that assessment within 60 days of you signing the consent for assessment. Please make sure that they do not try to tell you that you will not recieve this info because its the end of the school year and that it will be next year before you recieve that info. If you have a good relationship with your child's teacher ask her to help you get the help you need.
I will tell you that if you feel that there is something wrong do not let others tell you that its in your head, a mother knows.
Again you are your child's best and most important advocate and if they do complete all the assessments and it shows nothing then you will have the piece of mind that you did every you needed too.
Please let me know how things go and if you need help with anything please let me know because your situation sounds exactly like mine because they exited my child after Kindergarten and she is in 2nd now and I had a heck of a time getting the services we needed when we noticed problems occuring again
Your friend and follow advocate for our children,
Christy :)

[cager]

Thank you all for your helpful posts.  

Christy,

I'm going to research the Idaho laws and info you provided to me.  I know my son needs help and I just don't quite know how to get the testing/help he is entitled too.  The one time I spoke to the school district's psychologist (a few weeks back),  I was told that Caleb wouldn't have any testing done until next school year due to the fact that his "problems" have only just been noticed and the school year is so close to ending.  This really angered me as I feel my son has as much need/priority as the others.  

I do have a "PST" meeting with Caleb's school scheduled on Monday morning (after much insistence on my part). His teacher, school counselor, speech pathologist, and myself will be attending.  I am concerned that the district psychologist will not be attending as it is HER I want involved in the testing of my son.  

Another stressor is that we have property in a very rural area where the school district isn’t near as advanced as the one we are currently in.  It is vital Caleb get tested NOW while we are in a good school district with plenty of help. I am hoping my husband will recognize the need to keep Caleb and his little sister in this school district and will reconsider or delay the move to our property.

Any additional advice on what kind of testing I should ask for since academically Caleb is doing fine, but socially not so good?  I will demand the school do it ASAP since it is my right.  I do volunteer at my kid’s school twice a week and am very comfortable with the staff and especially his teacher.

My mom is a teacher in California (Bakersfield) and she gets so irate when I tell her the hoops I have to jump through trying to find answers and help for Caleb.  She too has always felt that Caleb was on the spectrum for autism and has insisted all along that I have him tested …..

Your grateful friend,
Eileen

[Christy H]

Cager, I live in Bakerfield! Where does your mom teach at? Is she a regular ed teacher or special ed? I live in the rosedale area but I teach at a special ed site in Arvin. I work for KCSOS.
As far as the right to test your child, i would write a letter requesting a full assessment, get it notrized and give it to the director of special Ed for your district. I would also give a copy of the letter to the princpal ofthe school that your son goes to and I definitely get a hold of the regional Center and explain your situation and ask that your child needs to recieve testing so that you will know what to do for school next year.
By the way if you want to discuss any thing else at all you can email me at
***@**** that way ifyou feel like discussing others possiablities for you son we don't have to go through the message board.
Please let me know and contact me if you have any more questions.
I will be checking in to see how you are doing! It looks like you and I have a lot in common doesn't it? ;)
your new friend,
Christy :)
P.S. i would like to know your real name you can email that to me if you don't want others to know.
Talk to you soon.

[Christy H]

Sorry Eileen i didn't see that you signed the last post with your name. I guess i was too excited that your mom lives in bakersfield!
talk to you soon
Christy :)

[cager]

I just checked the message board here and emailed you from my personal email address.  

Wow! Bakersfield, what a small world. LOL

Eileen