Twelve year old son - Asperger's?

[hazelnutjava]

I have been reading some of the posts here.  I have been doing research over the last few months because I suspect my child's behavior is just not normal.  I have a 12 year old boy who is very sweet, extremely bright and displays very strange behavior.  I just thought he was a little nerdy.  He has always been different.  When he was younger, people thought it might have been ADHD, but it wasn't.  He has been slow "getting things" socially.  Things like personal space and other obvious social cues that he would really like to understand are very hard for him.  He has also always been a bit clumsy.  His movements are awkward when he tries to play sports, it is more than simply being clumsy.  He has a really great vocabulary and taught himself to read by the age of three years old.  He was really obsessive with video games.  He read a great deal, but that has tapered off a little bit in the last couple of years.  I noticed that he has many, many of the symptoms of a child with Asperger's Syndrome.  I am in the process of trying to get an appointment.

Recently, I became alarmed when I discovered that he has been defecating in the shower and trying to hide it.  There is stuff on the walls, toilet, inside the shower, on the floor and the toilet.  He has obviously tried to clean up the mess.  He tries to deny that he did it, but it is obviously an intentional act/behavior.  I am trying to get him into counseling asap.  I am very concerned.  

Has anyone experienced something similar?  Does this sound like something that might be a symptom of Asperger's Syndrome?  I am really concerned and want to deal with this in the best way possible.  I just don't know how.  Thank you...

[Myrna Libby, Ph.D., BCBA]

I am sorry you are having all these problems and understand your concern.  Please do follow-up with a thorough diagnosis with a pediatric neurologist and/or a team of specialists who are very familiar with diagnosing and prescribing educational and behavioral treatments for students with Aspergers.  Regarding the shower issue I do not think this is necessarily related to that diagnosis as much as it is a symptom of some behavioral issues probably related to your son's social problems.  It could also be, I suppose, related to some increasing hormonal/masturbation/sexual issues that are manifesting a off-beat way.  I would definitely consult ask the people who participate in the diagnosis of these behaviors to see if they are familiar with them and I would also think seriously of contacting a behavioral specialist to work on a non confrontational program to reinforce him taking showers appropriately and, if it is at all related to sexual behavior, to have appropriate private time.  Hope this helps.

[JMF2]

Hi,

I have a stepson who is 12 years old and I honestly think he has Asperger Syndrome. He too has wiped his feces on the wall, under the table, on his clothes, and etc. At first, I thought it was chocolate, until I smelled it. I was so horrified. I talked to his dad and his mom, but they were no help at all. By getting him help you are doing the right thing.