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Aspergers: Different Levels of Severity

Question

As I read articles about Aspergers, I have to question if there are different levels of Aspergers? My son does not have extreme behavior however I also have to ask if some of the behavior training I have drilled into him is showing more now as he ages. Some of the stories that I read seem extreme. I can think of extreme behaviors that he has displayed and lack of reasoning skills that he has shown, social issues, but still I wonder if he was dx incorrectly or am I just grasping at straws?

Answer

Health care providers think of autism as a “spectrum” disorder, a group of disorders with similar features. One person may have mild symptoms, while another may have serious symptoms. But they both have an autism spectrum disorder. Different kids with an autism spectrum disorder can have very different symptoms.

Aspergers (high-functioning autism) can range from mild to severe. A child might have a few traits of Aspergers, or might have a large number of traits, and each of these traits can range from mild to severe. So, some children with Aspergers have only minor difficulties functioning in society while others need someone to help with most aspects of life.

Some children have all of the criteria for Aspergers that are quite severe and very noticeable, and others may not get diagnosed until they are a teenager (or even later) because they were thought of as just being shy or eccentric. Some adults with Aspergers can't get a job, can't live on their own, can't drive, have major marriage problems, and have very few friends. Others are married and have children, hold down employment, can drive, and have plenty of friends (but still have the social problems and obsessive interests/routines that are part of the disorder).


More resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's:

==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's

==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook

==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book



 
COMMENTS:

•    Anonymous said… Everyone is different and has a different set of circumstances. Consider yourself lucky if your kid doesn't rage. I know my daughters rages are not just because of Aspergers, unfortunately the split between me and her dad has affected her negatively. Sometimes I think some of her rages stim from that and lack of control. She is a major control freak......
•    Anonymous said… I have 2 boys with it, 1 with the extreme rage and 1 not. Totally different behaviours and aspects of it. I beleive the younger 1 is because we didn't know what was going on with the older 1 and at the time we were told this is what we were looking at the youngest had started showing the smae traits. So the younger 1 had earlier intervention and help than the older 1.
•    Anonymous said… Many adults have Aspergers and they don't know it. And you would never know it. Its not about being "extreme".
•    Anonymous said… My 13 year old Aspie daughter doesnt get on at school,can hardly get her 2 go.She sits in her room,she used 2 go 2 judo twice a week but now doesnt go.Her anxiety is thru the roof alot of days.Ive tried 2 get her the help but mental health say she has 2 be 14 before certain organisations step in.
•    Anonymous said… My 9 year old aspie does not have any rage - he has infrequent meltdowns or gets overly rigid & emotional - but no rage. Every aspie, autistic, autism spectrum, sensory child - every child is different & unique.
•    Anonymous said… My son has definitely changed in his teens. He used to be crazy and funny (when he wasn't melting down or angry). Now he is super quiet and shuts down a lot. Closed off. He won't leave the house at all except for school. The social anxiety is more extreme.
•    Anonymous said… This article reminds me so much of my thoughts! It gets so tricky-! There are 3 kids one of which is a cousin that my son can make that connection with everyone else is like back ground noise to him- as if there not in his picture - just there- he operates in same room but not connecting- however while one on one play date s he thrives!! Leaving me thinking-- did they get this right! Could it be wrong! But then we go out to the world such as a Drs appt and I see his body language and demeanor- he can't stand to even be in same lobby with others of its close quarters- he will even take his blanket and cocoon hisself with it-- then it's like yep! They got it right! And also going into the classroom to just observe is so telling!! So so telling! He's in his world  🌎-- and will allow the one kid in-- I think tony Atwood's book- Guide to Asperger is best read I have found!! It's like a blue book to my son! I think they should mandatory every therapist, that is going to be giving therapy to these kids to read it 3 x!!! Lol!!! Then let's have a session!! I am so worried about his teen age years-- that will be the crucial part! Keeping him going to school , trying to interact will be so important-! This year it almost got to point of home school- I'm so glad we pushed through because he is so happy there now! He is still who he is but it's as if the others kids have accepted him but not only accepted it they help him! It was Beautiful how I saw them helping him! Wish I had it on video to share !! Kids can be just awesome!  ❤

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Problems with Insurance Reimbursement

Question

My son has Aspergers, and I am having problems getting my insurer to pay for specialty medical treatments that should obviously be covered. Do you have any suggestion?

Answer

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. I have found that parents with Aspergers (high functioning autistic) children not only have a tough enough time locating a good referral for either diagnosis or treatment of the disorder, but they also have problems with insurance reimbursement.

Sometimes, parents simply need to do some good old fashion “ranting and raving” to get things done – seriously! When parents are in HMO's and they are only offered low level assistance by therapists who don't know about Aspergers – it’s time to get tough.

Find out who in your area is an expert on Aspergers and demand that your insurer pay for that person (even if they are out of network). It’s up to YOU to make sure your insurers will pay! If you are in the U.S., ask your State Insurance Office to help you. Keep notes on all phone contacts with your insurer (always ask the name of the person you are talking to), and if you are getting nowhere, file a complaint with the State Insurance Office.

The Aspergers Comprehensive Handbook

The Best Books About Aspergers

Question

I’m a psychologist in the Chicago area. I’ve been getting more and more Aspergers clients over the last year, but am not well versed with this disorder or its treatment. Are there any books on this subject that you would recommend?

Answer

The following is an alphabetical list of “must have” books if you’re really serious about becoming an “expert” in the Aspergers field. These are all in my personal library:

1. An Asperger Marriage by Gisela Slater-Walker

2. Aquamarine Blue 5: Personal Stories of College Students With Autism by Dawn Prince-Hughes

3. Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationships by Ashley Stanford, Liane Holliday Willey

4. Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal by Liane Holliday Willey

5. Aspergers in Love: Couple Relationships and Family Affairs by Maxine Aston

6. B. Smith Myles, K. Tapscott Cook, N. E. Miller, L. Rinner, L. A. Robbins, Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Issues: Practical Solutions for Making Sense of the World, (2000) Autism Asperger Publishing Co.

7. Biological Basis of Autism by William Shaw, Ph.D., available from Great Plains Laboratory (913) 341-8949

8. Brenda Smith Myles, Melissa L. Trautman, Ronda L. Schelvan, The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situaitons, Autism Asperger Publishing Company (2004)

9. Children with Starving Brains, by Jacquelyn McCandless, M.D.

10. Employment for Individuals With Asperger Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability: Stories and Strategies by Yvona Fast

11. Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence by Luke Jackson

12. G. Berard, Hearing Equals Behavior, (1993) Keats Publishing Inc., New Canaan, Connecticut

13. Gail Gillingham, Autism: Handle with Care! (1998, 3rd edition), Tacit Publications, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

14. H. Irlen, Reading by the Colors: Overcoming Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities Through the Irlen Method, (1991) Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY.

15. How to Find Work That Works for People with Asperger Syndrome: The Ultimate Guide for Getting People With Asperger Syndrome into the Workplace (and Keeping Them There!) by Gail Hawkins

16. J. Dimitrius and M. Mazzarella, Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior—Anytime, Anyplace, (1999) Ballantine Publishing Group

17. J. L. Savner, and B. Smith Myles, Making Visual Supports Work in the Home and Community: Startegies for Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, (2000) Autism Asperger Publishing Co.

18. J. Newport and M. Newport, Autism-Asperger’s & Sexuality, (2002) Future Horizons

19. Jean Kearns Miller, editor, Women from Another Planet: Our Lives in the Universe of Autism,(2003) 1stBooks Library

20. Jeanette McAfee, Navingating the Social World: A Curriculum for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and Related Disorders, (2002) Future Horizons, Inc.

21. Jerry Newport, Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome for Parents, Professionals, and You!, Future Horizons, Inc.

22. K. Stewart, Helping a Child with Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger’s Syndrome: A Parent’s Guide, (2002) New Harbinger Publications

23. L. Holliday Willey, Pretending to be Normal, (1999) Jessica Kingsley Publishers

24. Loving Mr. Spock: Understanding an Aloof Lover, by Barbara Jacobs

25. Rebekah Heinrichs, Perfect Targets: Asperger Syndrome and Bullying, (2003) Autism Asperger Publishing Co.

26. Right Address ... Wrong Planet: Children with Asperger Syndrome Becoming Adults by Gena Barnhill

27. Stephen M. Shore (editor), Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, (2004) Autism Asperger Publishing Co.

28. Stephen Shore, Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, (1961) Autism Asperger Publishing Co.

29. Succeeding in College With Asperger Syndrome by John Harpur, Maria Lawlor, Michael Fitzgerald

30. Temple Grandin & Kate Duffy, Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism, (2004) Autism Asgerger Publishing Co.

31. Temple Grandin, Thinking In Pictures: and Other Reports from My Life with Autism, (1996) Vintage Books

32. Teresa Bolick, Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens and Teens Get Ready for the Real World, (2001) Fair Winds Press, Gloucester, MA

33. The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome: A guide to an Intimate Relationship with a Partner who has Asperger Syndrome by Maxine C. Aston

34. Tony Attwood, Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, (1998) Jessica Kingsley Publishers

The Aspergers Comprehensive Handbook

Strategies for Transforming ASD Meltdowns into Moments of Connection

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurological condition influencing how individuals interpret the world around them and how ...