Is it Asperger's Syndrome (AS) or Not? And does it really matter?

OMG---so much information from so many different specialists. Bottom line: we want to know how we help our son so he is successful in school and life and I will do anything and everything to be certain my little man never has self worth/esteem issues. NEVER!!!!

We just had the final report given and gone over by the NEISD (our school district) gals. All really nice and eager to help us and Paul. Basically, all the administered tests tell us he does not have autism--severe or medium. However, given a couple of his characteristics and tendencies--they do feel he is on the Autism Spectrum somewhere...... I have been reading a lot and talking with other Mommies of children with AS. From all I read---a child must exhibit a certain number of symptoms -- to be considered Asperger's. According to all those checklists--Paul does not have AS. But he does certainly have "stuff" and we're taking him to a pediatric neurologist Oct. 29.

Here are some things about Paul his doctor, the NEISD gals, Brighton teachers and us think might be going on with Paul and his brain.....who knows for sure!

His brain takes in everything, or shuts down and takes in nothing when it gets overwhelmed. It seems like he can’t filter out any thing at times.

A lot of things that people say don’t make sense to Paul--their sentences I mean. Paul's brain thinks people use words and phrases that don’t really go together, or they’re not clear. Maybe Paul sees everything in pictures in his head, and with little printed words going across this little screen. I get mixed up. Paul's brain is literal.

Some people feel that it is atypical that Paul can label and identify something like 40 animals, but he doesn't understand when you ask him..."how are you doing?" or "what did you do today at school?" However, when I ask him if he loves me...often times he does say YES or nods his head yes. So, it makes it difficult to figure out what he does understand and what he does not. Paul is SUPER affectionate too! Most of what I read about any level on the autism spectrum states AS children are often not that way--and many are clumsy and have not so good motor skills. Uh, Paul's fine motor skills kick ass and the boy can run...skip, jump, climb and all sorts of other playground things and is very coordinated. So---I don't get it??? So, he like to line up his animals and cars sometimes--I do believe typical toddlers sometimes do that too......!!!!

I often feel that Paul's been slower to develop socially due to his prior ear infections. Ear infections correlate with slower developing verbal skills and verbal abilities are highly correlated with social skills. What do any of you think?? Someone suggested this...

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) http://www.firstsigns.org/downloads/m-chat.PDF.

Do other three year olds do these two things.....Paul does neither one.

1. Answer “what,” “where,” and “who” questions easily?
2. Talk about interests and feelings about the past and the future?

Danny and I feel that Paul's expressive language delays may interfere with academics and social communication. Again, who knows? I hope the neurologist can offer some help.

Paul certainly has difficulty with pragmatic language. These are the communication skills used in social settings. However, he has made progress and improved overall since going to Bright Beginnings at Brighton. We are ever so grateful for all the folks there who love, care for and teach Paul. Praise God for Ms. Janice, Ms. Gwen and Ms. Laura and all the other teachers and staff!

I am off to do some chores. We have a meeting here at our home tomorrow from 2-4. And then my friend's 40th bday party at Stonewerks in the evening! Woo Hoo!!!