Aspergers in Children

[SunshineMama]

Does anyone have any insight concerning this topic? Signs/symptoms/etc? I have a 3 yo dcg that is functional in all ways but extremely socially awkward.

[Blackcat31]

http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2011/02/aspergers-symptoms-in-infants-toddlers.html

http://www.asperger-advice.com/asperger-syndrome-and-children.html

Hope that helps

[spinnymarie]

I'm sure those links are awesomely helpful - aspergers is part of the autism spectrum and there are many available check lists, articles, etc.
I would also speak to her pediatrician.
Many of the key signs are similar to autism, little/no eye-contact, inability to read social cues.

[e.j.]

What are you seeing in her social interactions that concerns you?

[e.j.]

http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2011...-toddlers.html

http://www.asperger-advice.com/asperger-syndrome-and-children.html

Hope that helps

I love hair on the red headed kid pictured in the first link!::

[wabbittrouble]

My son is 27 now and has always been a bit "different". We've finally figured out he is borderline aspergers (he is now an engineer so they can thrive). What we noticed when he was little

1. Sensitivity to light and noise, esp. loud groups of people milling around and people in his space.

2. Sensitivity to tactile stimultion. He hated tags, itchy anything and his socks had to be just right.

3. Awkward social interaction. He still has a hard time not just blurting out things, even things that are kind of hurtful. I have to point out to him that it was hurtful and he's like "oh, I didn't mean it that way".

4. Lack of demonstrated affection. Hates hugs, or any type of emotional display which is still hard to get used to sometimes.

[SunshineMama]

What are you seeing in her social interactions that concerns you?

The child is very stand offish. She is 3 and tends to stand back and just watch the other children most of the time. Occasionally she will join in, but not often. She rarely smiles, and simply glares at people most of the time. She speaks extremely well. The other day she was the only older child here, so she went into the playroom by herself and sat on her cot...for 2 hours. I repeatedly told her she can come and play, etc, but she just sat and sat and stared. She didnt move, didnt play with toys, didnt talk. She has repeated that behavior every time she is the only older child present (3 times total). She is intelligent, but very odd socially. The mother is also a bit awkward, but not to the same extent.

[MCC]

The child is very stand offish. She is 3 and tends to stand back and just watch the other children most of the time. Occasionally she will join in, but not often. She rarely smiles, and simply glares at people most of the time. She speaks extremely well. The other day she was the only older child here, so she went into the playroom by herself and sat on her cot...for 2 hours. I repeatedly told her she can come and play, etc, but she just sat and sat and stared. She didnt move, didnt play with toys, didnt talk. She has repeated that behavior every time she is the only older child present (3 times total). She is intelligent, but very odd socially. The mother is also a bit awkward, but not to the same extent.

This sounds just like a child I had, she was on a temp spot so I only had her for 6 weeks. She was about 6 months younger. The mother was also a bit awkward, but the child was on a whole different level. Does your little girl talk in 3rd person?

[SunshineMama]

This sounds just like a child I had, she was on a temp spot so I only had her for 6 weeks. She was about 6 months younger. The mother was also a bit awkward, but the child was on a whole different level. Does your little girl talk in 3rd person?

No, she says "I." I've never had a child like her before. Most kids are very happy and playful, and she is just very aloof. It's almost hard to describe, so I was wondering if aspergers was the cause, and if I should mention something to mom.

[e.j.]

I would ask the mother if she has any concerns about her dd's social interaction with other kids and if so, if she's discussed them with her pediatrician. If she doesn't have concerns, I'd open up a conversation with her regarding your concerns. Sounds like she could have Asperger's but there's usually other characteristics that go along with it. Does she handflap or stim in other ways, how are her gross and fine motor skills...?

[SunshineMama]

I would ask the mother if she has any concerns about her dd's social interaction with other kids and if so, if she's discussed them with her pediatrician. If she doesn't have concerns, I'd open up a conversation with her regarding your concerns. Sounds like she could have Asperger's but there's usually other characteristics that go along with it. Does she handflap or stim in other ways, how are her gross and fine motor skills...?

Her fine motor skills are good, and her gross motor skills are just at or right below average. No hand flapping= jut lots of quiet staring.

[e.j.]

When I'm not sure about a child's behavior but think there could be something going on, I try to keep a written record of the behaviors I'm witnessing during day care hours. After compiling a list, I talk it over with the parent and ask if they've seen similar behaviors at home and either way, I'll explain why I'm concerned. Usually I'll suggest that they take my list with them when they go in for the child's well check visit so they can run it past their pediatrician and ask what he or she thinks.

If this dcg has been in your care for a while, you'll probably be able to write down a few specific examples of what you're seeing. If dcg is relatively new, is it possible she's shy and just needs time to feel more comfortable with the other kids?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

When I'm not sure about a child's behavior but think there could be something going on, I try to keep a written record of the behaviors I'm witnessing during day care hours. After compiling a list, I talk it over with the parent and ask if they've seen similar behaviors at home and either way, I'll explain why I'm concerned. Usually I'll suggest that they take my list with them when they go in for the child's well check visit so they can run it past their pediatrician and ask what he or she thinks.

If this dcg has been in your care for a while, you'll probably be able to write down a few specific examples of what you're seeing. If dcg is relatively new, is it possible she's shy and just needs time to feel more comfortable with the other kids?

This is EXACTLY what I do as well.

[Atroya]

I have a set of 7yr old twins that I have had since they were 4. I suspect they are either Asperger's or high functioning autism. They are not identical twins, and both boys show different symptoms. (Parents are in denial, even though I know through the grape vine that the school also believes they are in the spectrum). I have not said a word about it, since I know they got very angry with the school when the school brought it up...I can't afford to loose them. The one is very socially awkward, has anger issues(and when he is angry he makes extreme faces, throws or kicks at things, and makes a growly noise), stutters, walks on his toes at times, has trouble with normal conversation(usually if he talks a lot, it is basically repeating an advertisement, or all the info about a toy he wants or likes to play with), he also will gag on food he does not particularly care for. His brother is VERY ocd, and has the reverse problem...incessantly talks. With the ocd, the incessant talking is also a sign of either aspergers or HFA. I have learned to deal with both of them over the last few years, but summers can be hell, especially with the incessant talker.