[Nixtribe]

My son just recieved his aspie diagnosis...although I have suspected it for quite sometime, it is just now official. I would love to communicate with other parents of children with aspergers. I am an ESE teacher, but most of my students have more severe disabilities...my son's issues are very mild compared to the children I teach. He is in a regular ed classroom for most of the day, and goes to a resourse teacher for Math and handwriting as his motor coordination is difficult for him.

He has been referred to a ABA therapist for some sensitivity issues...clothing...food...sounds...and social issues. He will also be going to an OT for the motor coordination issues. I am not as familiar with ABA therapy and wonder if anyone could let me know how it has helped them or their children.

Thanks for helping..

Nixtribe

[Junerain]

I wanted to extend emotional support to you, as much as you suspected it, hearing the diagnosis must have been hard.....be sure to take care of your heart,in the midst of all this...................

((((((((((((nixtribe)))))))))))))

I have a son with Aspergers - he was diagnosed when he was....5 or 6??....and he will be 9 in June.

We've never done ABA, so I don't know much about it. We've had a LOT of success with diet changes (gluten/dairy/artificial color free) and he's been in and out of OT for sensory issues. We work a little with a program that uses Floortime and teaches social skills through outdoor activities like ropes courses, hikes, etc...that has been very cool!

Good luck to you...I know it's kind of alarming to finally get a diagnosis, but it's nice to have a clearer idea of the direction we need to move to help our little guys.

My son just recieved his aspie diagnosis...although I have suspected it for quite sometime, it is just now official. I would love to communicate with other parents of children with aspergers. I am an ESE teacher, but most of my students have more severe disabilities...my son's issues are very mild compared to the children I teach. He is in a regular ed classroom for most of the day, and goes to a resourse teacher for Math and handwriting as his motor coordination is difficult for him.

He has been referred to a ABA therapist for some sensitivity issues...clothing...food...sounds...and social issues. He will also be going to an OT for the motor coordination issues. I am not as familiar with ABA therapy and wonder if anyone could let me know how it has helped them or their children.

Thanks for helping..

Nixtribe

We've got a son soon 11 years old who has Asperger's (diagnosed in spring 2006), ADHD traits and most likely Tourette's.
Finally after a long fight we're now seeing a psychologist who will start working with our son using ABA. So far we've done specific observations concerning our son's behaviour.
I use "social stories" a lot when a new event is approaching and I know he'll be worried or when he says his worried about something. (social stories with images, photos and text) I also write and draw together with him teaching him how to behave, after he's done something not so good.
Our son is in a regular class - a lot thanks to his wonderful compassionate teacher. She's got the right "feel" to understand him and his disorders.
This fall it's time to change teachers though... so that's a worry. He's had this one for 4 years... so this will be a big change for him.

I would really like to exchange thoughts and knowledge with you Nixtribe and you treehouse.

One day at a time...

/daynnight

[Nixtribe]

Thanks to everyone that has responded to my thoughts and questions. Maybe we can all keep in touch as parents and help each other out.

It is good to know that I am not alone.

Nixtribe

MY son has PDD
the best thing that ever happened to my son was when our home school asked me if he would like to go to a private school.
So there is about 5 kids per room. they do unblieveable stuff. He graduates this year.
I was very blessed.
here is a link for you
http://www.brighttots.com/aba_therapy

My son is suspected of having Asperger as well, but I missed the assessment appointment for him due to my inability to acquire the tons of data they wanted me to bring.

I admire all of the services they will be providing for your child in school. I don't think our schools provide even half of the services you are speaking of. Of course, all of the services are not available to my son anyway until he is officially diagnosed. Bureacracy is crazy in our school systems here in Canada.

I wish you all the best in your experiences with this. Please keep us informed of how your child does in all of this. I would like to see what options i could seek up here for my son.

Ingrid

(((Ingrid))) there is here a handbook they are suppose to give out telling you everything there is to offer specail children. At least here thats how it works.
I had to ask for it as they did not offer it. I was told threw the grape vine of it.
Ask as many questions as you can ,if you do not get a answer then ask for someone who can give it . and never give up hope

[Nixtribe]

Originally Posted by Ingridave2

My son is suspected of having Asperger as well, but I missed the assessment appointment for him due to my inability to acquire the tons of data they wanted me to bring.

I admire all of the services they will be providing for your child in school. I don't think our schools provide even half of the services you are speaking of. Of course, all of the services are not available to my son anyway until he is officially diagnosed. Bureacracy is crazy in our school systems here in Canada.

I wish you all the best in your experiences with this. Please keep us informed of how your child does in all of this. I would like to see what options i could seek up here for my son.

Ingrid

I have to tell you...I have worked with special needs children for quite a few years...and if I have learned anything to use in my own life...it is keep data. Even if you just keep a calendar...write down anything that your gut tells you is different, same, constant, important. Somethings that was used to make my son's diagnosis was what he ate...(eats lots of the same foods..refuses new ones) what he wore...(he has a preferred outfit...I also wrote down what would happen if that outfit wasn't available.) what he played with...how long...what he talked about...how long...

with everyone it is different...just trying to give you some examples. I also had access to the school psychologist...she gave me autism/asperger evaluations. I filled them out and she scored them. I took all of this and all of his report cards...work samples...notes and documentation from his teachers to the doctor. I gave the doc the documentation on the first visit. He was referred for some ot/pt evaluations, and some bloodwork. A couple of months later...at his next appointment I was able to get a diagnosis.

The doc told me that due to my extensive documentation and charting that she felt confident that she could diagnose him aspergers.

Good luck...keep a notebook handy.

Nixtribe

[Callista]

Have you tried sensory integration therapy instead of ABA? You're saying your son has sensory issues--ABA is a teaching method, not a therapy for sensory sensitivity. I suppose there is some learning involved in dealing with hypersensitivity, but most of it is learning what annoys you most, how to stay away from it, and how to deal with the overload when it happens. ABA, as a very concrete sort of teaching style, is more suited to concrete skills that can be taught by imitation. An OT trained in teaching children how to live with sensory hypersensitivity might do more good than a traditional ABA therapist, especially if the ABA therapist is used to trying to change a child's behavior without first finding the function that behavior serves, and deciding whether it is worth changing in the first place.

[Nixtribe]

Originally Posted by Callista

Have you tried sensory integration therapy instead of ABA? You're saying your son has sensory issues--ABA is a teaching method, not a therapy for sensory sensitivity. I suppose there is some learning involved in dealing with hypersensitivity, but most of it is learning what annoys you most, how to stay away from it, and how to deal with the overload when it happens. ABA, as a very concrete sort of teaching style, is more suited to concrete skills that can be taught by imitation. An OT trained in teaching children how to live with sensory hypersensitivity might do more good than a traditional ABA therapist, especially if the ABA therapist is used to trying to change a child's behavior without first finding the function that behavior serves, and deciding whether it is worth changing in the first place.

I really like your suggestion...I will ask around to see where I can find these services. I believe the ABA was suggested because my son also has a few minor social issues and I was under the understanding that they know how to deal with those. I will definatly get some information locally on the sensory intergration therapy...
Thanks so much.

Nixtribe