Autistic Children.....

Does anyone have one or deal with one?

I was told earlier this week that my son's kindergarten teacher from last year, thinks that he is autistic, a high functioning level called Asperger's Syndrome.   Needless to say, it has put me in a whirlwind. 

To us, my son is a normal 6 year old that has tendancies to walk on his toes, flap his arms when he gets excited, he has started to "braid" his fingers when he is stressed.  He has a bit of a lisp on certain words/letters.   Apparently the teacher has seen other "signs" that make her think that he should be tested.

Things I am battling with is whether to have him tested myself or have the school do it.  If he is diagnosed, do I have the school system involved in the "therapy" or do I take him outside to a private therapist. 

Any information that you can give if you have dealt with this is appreciated.

Thanks

Contact the Michigan Department of Special Education and get the guide lines for Special Education. Also contact the Michigan Parent Advocate Society.

Before they can test him they must have an IEPC.

Some schools use the information from testing to manipulate the situation with only their interest in mind.  Get him tested through his pediatrician. Then go from there.

You need to pay close attention to how he would be categorized with this type of disability in the school system the wrong classification could scare and hinder his education for the rest of his educational process. Once they classify the child as Emotional, Physically, or physically or otherwise impared, the child is branded for the rest of his educational life.

Get a Parent Advocate and a Civil rights attorney before you let the school system decide what is best for your child. Once you let the school have control they will treat you as though you are a second class citizen in the decisions of your child welfare. And at his age this can be a long process.

How do you feel about your child's development. do you think there are concerns to have him tested.
Some teachers just don't want to deal with (problem) children.
You must remember that they teach to the middle of the row.
If you child is exceptional or below average this may make it unacceptable to the teacher.
I would try changing his room to a different teacher first.

Wow Mary you have alot of background here. 

My sister is a special ed teacher, and not that I don't trust her, but for my piece of mind, I wanted some additional information.  This is what she told me.  Have the school test him first, if he is diagnosed by the school, they he is able to get SSI/Medicare and or medicade that would help cover the Private testing that my insurance only covers 50% max on if at all. 

My son educationally is at the top of his class and his last year teacher admitted that is one of her hesitations is because he was one of her top students.  She came from special ed before she was bumped to kindergarten last year. 

I will take everything you said into consideration.

Thanks

I know someone who's son has Asberger's so pm me and I  can give you some info.

Shannon

{{{{{{{PAM}}}}}}
Try not to freak out.  I know this is a lot to grasp.  I am not familiar with Asperger's on a personal level, but I do know a little bit about the school system and dealing with this kind of diagnosis.

I would let the school test him (because it's a free second opinion) but also for sure get him tested on your own.  Here is a place to start, but I know it's a little bit far from you:
http://www2.med.umich.edu/healthcenters/clinic_detail.cfm?se rvice_id=639

I've taken my son (for issues with ADD) to the docs at U of M and were pretty pleased with them.  It does take a long time to get in, though.  On a totally unrelated note, Domino's Farms is across the street from this clinic and I'll bet your son would love to go pet the animals!

Anyway, you just have to be careful about letting the school diagnose him.  If they come back with a recommendation of special education, then you'll have a whole other set of things to take care of that are too big to go in to here.  But of course we can talk about that when/if the time comes.

So baby steps first.  Find a doctor that you trust and get him evaluated.  Let the school evaluate him as well.  Then you can compare notes on what each one says and decide where to go from there.

Your son sounds like a bright, loving little guy, so don't let a diagnosis or possibility of one scare you too much. 

We're here for you!! XOXOXO

Thanks Brenda,

My sister is going to State to get her masters in Special Ed with emphasis on these items.  As I told Mary, I trust her, but needed a second personal opinion. 

She has seen things in my son since he was little, and thinks he just has sensory issues.  If he has the Asperger's, it is a very high functioning level. 

We have made an appt to see the doc without him, and I have made an appt to meet with his last year teacher, this year teacher, social worker, principal and occupational therapist to see where we need to go at the school level. 

Sean is a bright loving little guy.  I just want what is best for him to make him the best that he can be.  He wants to be a dentist, eye doctor or judge. 

Pam

Pam, you are so together!

At least Sean wants to be something where he can make money.  My 15 year old wants to be a pro baseball player, a pro skateboarder, or a magician.  I think he'll probably be a pro at living with me til he's 30 LOL

Hello Pam,

If I were you, I would PM Tina.  She is a teacher and could give you first hand experience.  She helped me tremendously when I was deciding whether or not to send my 1st grader to a Charter School.  My daughter has an "IEP" indiviualized education plan.  Your son, may not have Aspergers so its best to get as many opinions as possible.

sorry i couldnt be more help :(

I fought with my sons school for 2 years.  They said he was adhd yet every time they tested him it came back no.  My pcp tested him again no.  I never thought he was.  The school social worker was very pushy with me.--he needs meds.  This went back and forth for 2 years.  It was and still is a mess.  My son is now classified as emotionally impared.  He has some sensory problems as well.  He is easily distracted from any noise. 

My son is a great 8 year old boy.  School work is fair.  His theripist says he stopped developing when my husband died.  He was 6 then.  The dr said in time he should out grow this.  No meds are needed. 

Do not let the school run you over.  Stand your ground.  Please do not let this overwhelm you.  It is hard but managable. 

best wishes

that is my whole point.
if he has ADHD he should have been classified as PHOI , physically or otherwise impaired. not EI emotionally impaired. the treatment of a PHOI and EI are completely different and the stigma that is related to the EI  is very detrimental to the child

Don't let the school decide. ADHD  and Autism are cause by physical abnormalities of the brain. not of emotional control issues. they can not control what or how they function.

For you child sake get a parent advocate don't go into this blindly.

You Sped Ed teacher only see the school side. be aware there are two sides
and the only one that counts is your sons best interest and only you the parent can agree to that.