My son just turned 4 and was diagnosed w/Asperger's syndrome?

Question

I am confused because, I have heard that Asperger's syndrome usually doesn't effect speech. My son is receiving speech and is improving with that. He does display severe autistic behaviors. They said he is high functioning. I just wanted to know if he has speech delays, is it really Asperger's or just autism?

Answer 1

Asperger's is on the Autism Spectrum. I have a five year old with a diagnosis of High funtioning, mild autism. He speaks well (won't shut up), but he has problems interacting properly with others. He doesn't maintain eye contact with those he speaks to. He also has sensory issues. We are sending him to Kindergarten this year where he will be in the Gen. population as opposed to the special ed preschool he attended.

Answer 2

They do say that people with Asperger's usually have no obvious speech delay. Not everybody agrees (just as not everybody agrees whether there's a difference between Asperger's and high functioning autism) but the doctors I have spoken to say that they don't like to make a diagnosis of Asperger's until the child is at least four. This is for many reasons but there are those who say that there certainly CAN be kids out there with Asperger's who do have trouble with their speech but are able to catch up with their neurotypical* peers by the time they hit school age. For some of these kids it's not a case of not having language - the language is there - the child just doesn't see any reason to use it. Once they have the motivation to speak, some of these kids go from no speech at all (or just a few words) straight into rather complex sentences. Another thing often attributed specifically to Asperger's is a delay in gross motor development. Either way, Asperger's is a form of autism, it's all part of the same spectrum. The most important things are that he is loved and getting the help he needs.

Answer 3

Just about everybody is confused about the differences of PDD.NOS, HFA, and aspergers.  I have spoken directly to top people about this and all have varying answers.

My sons are both PDD.NOS meaning autistic features.  They are 7.5 years and almost 3.  Both have speech delays.  I disagree with the other responder, if you get your child to a good specialist developmental, neurologist, neuropsychologist they can be dx very early even those mildly on the spectrum.  My nearly 3 yr old, looks more asperger's, my father has thought this since before he was 1 yr old, only now are neurologists giving it as a rule out dx (meaning they think that is what he has).

From all the information that I have gathered from specialists, observed myself with my children and others basically most agree to the following.

Those with PDD.NOS are more likely to have fine motor delays (my 7 yr old still gets OT).  Cognitively struggles, high frustration, social skills are subtley off, but better than asperger's, language scores are significantly impaired

Those that are asperger's don't have fine motor delays usually (my nearly 3 yr old was discharged from OT), more socially impaired, obvious differences, interested in peers and surroundings, frequently picked on, more anxiety, academically strong, excel at languages but may talk monotone, difficulty with reciprocity of conversation, difficulty getting jokes this is all degrees of spectrum (my nearly 3 yr old has understanding of prepositions and pronouns, something my oldest didn't master till age 5-6), more rigidity, perseverative narrow interests, do well with peers slightly older or younger.  They are called the little professors

HFA-more aloof, less aware of surroundings but will engage for short periods of time,  fine motor delays, social impairment, language differences apparent, cognitive struggles, less anxiety, don't care as much about what peers think or say

Anywhere on the spectrum people have sensory issues, and gross motor delays.  The gross motor delays usually resolve more quickly with those that are higher functioning with adequate intervention

Answer 4

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning it covers a wide range of delays and behaviors.  Asperger's is part of the autistic spectrum, so he has autism in the form of Asperger's.  Children with Asperger's tend to be higher functioning, but still can experience language delays as well as behavioral and social difficulties.  In other developmental areas however (such as cognative...learning to read, write, etc) they tend to be on target.Treatement for Asperger's offers the same options as those at other points of the autistic spectrum...therapies in needed areas, behavioral management plans and an IEP to ensure the child is in the best educational enviroment possible.

Answer 5

As autism is on a very large spectrum with varying degrees of behaviours no two people who have an autistic spectrum disorder will ever be the same. Usually children with profound autism are diagnosed much earlier than those with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism. This is because autism is easier to diagnose and those who are higher functioning are usually better able to disguise it. My daughter has Asperger syndrome and did for many years receive speech therapy as there were very slight differences in the way she spoke. Even now she is unable to moderate the tone of her voice and has no idea how loud she is when speaking. If you are unsure of the diagnosis your son has been given then either challenge it or get a second opinion. The diagnosis will stay with him for life and will enable him to get the help and services that are right for him. Therefore you must be sure he has the right diagnosis. Good luck.