My ASD Child

 "What should we do exactly if we decide to go ahead and get our child diagnosed? We have our suspicions and we think it's probably time to investigate the possibility that he is on the spectrum." Some parents know that there is something “not quite right” with their child – and they may suspect some form of autism – but they delay in seeking a formal diagnosis for fear that their child will be “labeled” (e.g., “If my child gets labeled as having a ‘disorder,’ people will discriminate against him and treat him unfairly”). In addition, schools downplay the diagnosis to give less services and save money. And worse yet, some physicians are afraid to give the diagnosis of High-Functioning Autism (Asperger’s) out of fear of frightening moms and dads, hurting their feelings, or stigmatizing their youngster. Why do some parents resist getting a diagnosis? Here are some possible reasons: I don’t want my child to get lumped into a category. I need him to be “normal.”

Kids with Asperger’s (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA): are easily distracted by internal stimuli are often off task are very disorganized have difficulty figuring out what is relevant, so attention is focused on irrelevant stimuli have difficulty learning in a group situation have difficulty sustaining focus on classroom activities (often it is not that the attention is poor but, rather, that the focus is "odd") tend to withdraw into complex inner worlds in a manner much more intense than is typical of daydreaming Programming Suggestions for Teachers: 1. Work out a nonverbal signal with the AS or HFA youngster (e.g., a gentle pat on the shoulder) for times when he is not paying attention. 2. Actively encourage the youngster to leave her inner thoughts and fantasies behind and refocus on the real world. This is a constant battle, as the comfort of that inner world is much more attractive than anything in real life. For these “special needs” kids, e