How does it feel to be the parent of your child?
Although many difficulties come with raising a child with Asperger's, my 5 year old daughter, Jane, has positively impacted my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. She is extremely intelligent, uses a wide range of vocabulary, and has an extremely impressive long-term memory. However, it can sometimes be hard to have a child that is unsocial, prefers to be alone, and shows little to no empathy. Our family has learned to adapt and make modifications to our daily life in order to best suit Jane's special needs. For example, I have created a daily schedule for Jane that hangs in our kitchen. Jane and I plan her day on the previous evening using pictures that show the order of the days events. For example, a days schedule might include a picture of a school, then a house, then homework, and then a soccer-ball for her siblings soccer game that she must attend. This helps her to avoid behavioral outbursts and frustrations. Because of her antisocial tendencies, I arrange for one friend to come over a few times a week to play. Her friends typically bring Barbies or dolls. The type of role playing and imaginative play that is involved when the children come over with these toys help Jane to imagine the thoughts and intentions of others. Our family also makes a point of watching movies together that highly focus on friendships and evoke strong emotions for Jane, such as Toy Story. I have also enrolled Jane in a child's gym class that helps her to work on her coordination and movement, since she is far behind her peers. Jane's intense interest in horses has helped us to schedule outings and activities that encourage social interaction and considering multiple perspectives.
How is your child developmentally the same or different from other children at various ages?
Jane is more advanced than her fellow students in regards to vocabulary and overall cut and dry knowledge and instruction. However, her abilities begin to lag when it comes to motor skills, emotions, language, behavior, social interactions, thinking patterns, and play. Jane's poor coordination sets her apart from other children because of her catching, throwing, and kicking ball skills. She also isn't as aware of her body as other children, which contributes to her poor coordination and clumsiness. Her writing is also very sloppy, revealing a delay in fine motor skills. Jane is also developmentally different from other children when it comes to emotions. She lacks the ability to think from another's perspective and feel empathy. Something that might slightly bother other children, will severely upset Jane. Although I previously stated that she has an extremely wide vocabulary for a kindergarten student, she has much difficulty understanding metaphors and other figures of speech. However, Jane's Asperger's is most apparent when she is placed in social situations. She secludes herself from the others, makes inappropriate remarks and comments, displays little to no facial expression, uses little to no body movement and hand gestures, and makes limited eye contact. Whenever she plays with her friends she has a hard time sharing, can throw fits or tantrums if she can't control the situation, and has no concept of appropriate social behavior. While Jane takes interests in certain things like other children, she becomes intensely obsessed with one or two topics. Right now she is obsessed with horses.
What professionals/agencies do you deal with? What services are available to you and your child?
We have found it particularly beneficial to have Jane formally diagnose with Asperger's so that her school and teachers take her disorder more seriously. We did this using a clinical psychologist. The psychologist evaluated Jane using a review of her past academic achievement, behavioral analysis, an interview with myself and my husband, as well as an observation of Jane interacting with others. Because of Jane's disorder, she can qualify for special education, although we have not receive any special services at this time. I have requested a Section 504 meeting with Jane's principal in order to determine whether or not she will receive special accommodations and modifications in her educational career. At the meeting, I will have to present a case as to why Jane is eligible for special services, should she need them. These special services can be as small as providing us with an extra set of text books to keep at home, or as detailed as allowing her to wear ear plugs, have extra time to complete exams and writing assignments, or being able to use the computer to complete assignments.
How did you find out about the above services?
We were referred to a qualified clinical psychologist from our family's pediatrician. While the pediatrician is also capable of diagnosing Jane, he can not provide treatment. Our clinical psychologist recommended that we request the Section 504 meeting as early as kindergarten so that services are readily available when we feel Jane needs them, since the process may take some time.
What financial burden, if any, are you experiencing?
At this time, Jane is not attending behavioral workshops. However, this may be an expense that we incur in the future if our family feels as though it's necessary for Jane's social development. As I previously said, she is enrolled in a child gym class. It's not very expensive and is used by many socially adjusted children. Therefore this expense may not be directly attributed to Jane's Asperger's.
What other information do you want to share?
It is difficult for other parents to understand Jane's behaviors and use of language when they see her interacting with their child. Although at some times it may be embarrassing or an extra burden, the progress Jane has made since the year of her diagnosis has made everything worth it. She has come a long way already, and is thriving academically in school.
My Glogster-http://amanda3688.edu.glogster.com/aspergers-syndrome/
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