sarah42

My niece is 6 years old and just started kindergarten this fall. She's been having some trouble in school, and my sister told me that the school counselor thinks she might have Asperger's syndrome.

The trouble she's been having is that she won't follow directions from the teacher, or she'll behave for a little while and then stop. (E.g. getting up from her desk and walking around the classroom). My sister has been working with the teacher to try to improve my niece's behavior, such as taking away computer privileges when there's a bad report from school. This does not seem to be motivating her to behave better.

On one hand, this seems like it's probably typical kindergartner behavior. They're still so young and just learning how behave in school. But I looked up some info on Asperger's, and there are some pieces that might fit. Sometimes when I talk to my niece, she seems oblivious to the conversation and won't respond, or she'll answer without making eye contact. She is shy, so maybe that's all it is. She's always been clumsy, and apparently Asperger's syndrome can cause motor skill delays. My sister also told me that my niece is very sensitive and particular about textures of clothing, blankets, and other fabrics. My niece is also left-handed, so I don't know if that could have an effect on the clumsiness or any of the other factors.

Does anyone have experience with Asperger's syndrome? How do they test and make a diagnosis? What are typical treatments?

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cympreni

From what I understand, it's along the lines of ASD. So multi-discipline evaluation. They will want to know EVERYTHING, as far as medical history. They do a lot of observational evaluations. Ask 50 billion questions of what was done during the pregnancy, and what times they reached certain milestones, (including stuff most people don't even think about, like what age did they learn to jump on 1 foot), what they can do now, any observations that you think might be relivent. The child is usually tested on skills. Each evaluation usually takes several hours And this is repeated with a mulitude of professionals, usually a physical therapist, occupation therapist, speech therapist, developmental expert, and a child psychologist, and sometimes people in the medical field. Also medical testing is not uncommon. My son had to have his hearing checked by 2 different people, his eyes, a ton of lab work. He hasn't had a neurological work-up yet, but they are not uncommon as well. Schools frequently insist upon their own evaluations, so the entire process is repeated again.

Treatment as far as I know similar to autism. So therapy in whatever they are behind in, plus whatever else is felt necessary and available; ABA, RDI, biomeds etc. The therapy for kids, is usually play therapy so most kids love it most the time.

nynaeve77

My friend's little boy was just diagnosed with this a few weeks ago (he's 9). I'm not sure all that she had to do to get him tested or what they do to treat it...it's pretty new to her at this point. I do know she said that it's easier to diagnose when kids are a little older because so many of the behaviors that relate to Asperger's are also typical little kid behaviors, too. It's pretty rare in females, isn't it?

I hope that if this is something your niece has that her parents can find out sooner rather than later. From what my friend says, the earlier it can be detected, the better the therapies used to treat it can work. Good luck to your sister and niece!

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WileE-Dead

Does the child have imaginary friends?

mrspoppers

Is that a symptom, Wile?

Cynaminbear

How does she relate to her peers and socially?
From what I understand (which is limited) that's the main trait to look for.
To be honest, looking at the items you've listed:
antsy in school
doesn't always follow directions
leaves seat without permission
doesn't look you in the eye, sometimes
sometimes doesn't appear to be listening

all sound like my husband, my brother, and both of my boys at different times. With those specific characteristics, it sounds like she's a normal kid. Now, if there are other traits you don't know about, that's different.
However, I'd want someone other than a school counselor to evaluate her. Someone with extensive experience with Asperger's and autism. I hope this isn't a case of a an overwhelmed teacher with too many kids to handle.

Asperger's symptoms according to WebMD.

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kathymack

My husband and I were both supervisors of special education, I was also an elementary principal. If the school district feels that there is an issue that could impact education, they have an obligation to do a multidisciplinary (all the necessary types of those mentioned above) evaluation to determine if there is a problem and then if it requires "specially designed instruction." Asperger's Syndrome is on the continuum of Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Most states require an evaluation by a school certified psychologist and possibly other tests--speech, occupational, psychiatric, etc. evaluations. In order to make the diagnosis, it is necessary to collect a lot of information, rule out medical issues, etc. There are also several good checklists and behavior rating scales that compare the child to age norms. The first issues we look for in children with any of the Autism Spectrum Disorders are language and social issues.

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Guide34

I wouldn't assume she has Asperger's based on what you wrote. I would recommend getting an evaluation from a developmental psychologist or pediatric neurologist (which we used). In order for your niece to get services from the school district, she would need a diagnosis and an IEP. Early intervention is key, if your niece is definitely on the spectrum.

Poodlehead

It may turn out to be nothing, but if it's not, a diagnosis would give her access to the tools to let her live her life like other kids, rather than to have to struggle every single day.

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Sleigh

how's her diet?

dairy, sugar, or a food intolerance could be causing that.

then again, i walked around my classroom up until 9th grade...?

i have a lot of energy and had a hard time sitting still. the more active i am, the better i can sit.

is your niece physically active?

melloweer

My school district works the same way. There are a lot of steps to evaluate and your newphews ped should definately be involved. ASP is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. They are very very smart kids, but are sensitive to touch. They do not like loud noises and when they get frustrated agression will come out. If you talk to them, and they do not know you well, you might not get a response at all let alone eye contact which they do not hold well. If you are general in your explanation to them, they might not understand exactly what you expect. If he is diagnosed he should receive an Individualized Education Plan which will state their needs and how the school will meet them. They might have an assistant come into their class during certain times to work with them. A lot of ASP kids are placed into the gifted and talented classrooms also or do acceleration work in their grade level class, esp the older children.

sarah42

Thanks for everyone's replies. My niece usually plays with her younger sister all the time, and I haven't seen her interact with other peers very much. I don't think she has imaginary friends. Her language skills, or at least willingness to talk, seemed like they may be lagging. It improved when she started going to preschool last year, but for a while she wasn't talking as well as her sister who is 1 1/2 years younger.

I know you can't diagnose my niece over the internet, but I appreciate the information. I've taught high school so I have a little experience with autism spectrum disorders, and I know her, and I don't feel confident one way or the other. My sister doesn't feel like her daughter has Asperger's based on the information she's read. I don't know if they have any comprehensive evaluations or screenings planned, but I'll be as supportive as I can.

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