Asperger

I never really talked about it here but for over a year I battled with the idea of having Andrea tested for Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger simply put is high functioning autism. Here’s something I got online which defines it well:

The essential features of Asperger’s disorder are severe social interaction  and restricted,  patterns of behavior and activities. It is similar to autism, but children with Asperger’s do not have the same difficulties in acquiring language that children with  have.

So essentially they appear normal but the symptoms manifest when you see them in social situation. I have already come to terms with the possibility that Andrea might have Asperger’s syndrome. I figured if anyone can handle a child with asperger it would be me. What confidence huh? I guess when you’re faced with diseases, disorders and other impairments with your kids the only things you can rely on are confidence and faith.

I was so obsessed with this diagnosis. I was consumed by the idea that Andrea might have Asperger’s syndrome. I read everything I could get my hands on and I actually came across a 23-page checklist detailing the symptoms of Asperger’s.  I carefully marked this list in order to make sure that when I talk to the developmental psychologist I would have detailed notes for him.

Luckily, it seems like Andrea never had Asperger’s but just had severe case of stranger anxiety mixed in with a bit of compulsion. School opened her up like you wouldn’t imagine. I am beyond thrilled with her progress and the changes she’s exhibiting in terms of her social skills.

Her social skills fall somewhere in the middle to the lower percentage compared to her other classmates so I guess her teachers might not understand why I’m so thrilled when Andrea wouldn’t talk to other teachers, etc. They don’t realize that in the past she wouldn’t even be in the same room as other teachers….

From the 23-page checklist only 5 indicators remain for Andrea and they all point to her fine-motor skill.