AboutMichelle Fattig Expertise I can answer questions about educational testing, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Special Education, IEP, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing, Parent Advocacy, Response to Intervention, living and parenting with disabilities, parent rights in special education, school psychology, and more. I cannot provide a medical diagnosis.
Experience I am a school psychologist, medical technologist, author of the Annie Books series: Experience Aspeger's Syndrome and Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a Child, RTI facilitator, ILCD facilitator, parent advocate, presenter, and researcher. My children and I have Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Organizations National Association of School Pyschologists, American Medical Technologists, Learning Disabilities Association of Nebraska
Education/Credentials Ed.S. in School Psychology, doctoral studies in SPED Law, SPED Systems Enhancement Leadership, and doctoral candidate Education Leadership. MT(AMT) and MLT(ASCP)
My son is 33 months and we've been suspecting some issues for some time. He has been in early intervention since 15 months old. He was discharged from speech scoring in the 99th percentile for expressive and receptive language at 24 months. He still receives OT for muscle, strength and coordination issues.
He is so difficult to describe because I do not feel that he fits in the box at all. Some days he is 95% typical and other days not at all. I think this is why I am confused. I have looked over the Aspergers criteria numerous times and he does not fit the all the criteria to me. I don't see a severe social impairment.His therapists said they have never met a kid like him and don't know if he's on the spectrum either. Even his former speech therapist who has a child on the spectrum and considers herself an "expert" at knowing who is and isn't, said he's the only one who left her so on the fence. She thinks he could just be quirky and have sensory issues.
Here are my concerns
- low average fine motor skills
- low average self help skills
- low average gross motor skills
- sometimes jumps and flaps
- sings too much
- does not repeat dialog exactly as the TV shows but will get ideas from TV shows and re-enact the shows, for example he will pretend I am a character from a Tv show and address me as such with the same storyline
- is obsessive about 1 or 2 things. Always keeps track of where one toy is and loves my nose.
- low arousal at times
- shuts down when pushed or when he's not good at something (very aware of his abilities)
However, while he is shy with certain people he does know how to interact with adults and children. Sometimes he is anti-social and other times very social. He loves two or three boys in his daycare. He imitates them, initiates and plays interactively. He loves sisters 2 year older friends tries to fit in, and says he wants them to come over for playdates (he hasn't had his own yet). He seeks my or his sister's companionship all the time and plays well with her. However, if someone forces him to make eye contact he will squint at them. He does naturally make good eye contact with me and family memebers. His speech is good. I don't see pragmatic concerns. He talks about his feelings and other people's feelings. He can tell a story about what happened at school and can summarize a TV show. He initiates conversations and hangs out and talks about whatever we are talking about. He does not have a subject he likes to talk about exclusively. The only concern again with the speech is the almost TV scripting thing. I am just unsure if it qualifies as that. The singing is used to tune out when things get too difficult like at his OT sessions. He also seems smarter than his peers other than common sense things like washing and drying hands, putting on a coat etc.. He knew colors, shapes 18 months and letters by 29 months. We really didn't teach him any of this esp the letters. He is not obsessed with them though. He picks up concepts at rapid speed and has been able to answer "why" questions for months.
Does he sound like a type of Aspergers to you?
ANSWER: I have to laugh just a little (and not in an offensive manner), as you just described both of my children! Both have Asperger's, but were not officially diagnosed until 2nd grade and 3rd grade respectively. The reason it is so hard to define, is that it is such a broad spectrum. If he is a happy little boy, and not experiencing difficulty socially, emotionally, behaviorally, or preacademically, I would define his behavior simply as "traits." Traits can simply be idiosyncratic and non-problematic. It generally isn't until school age, that people on our team begin to experience anxiety, frustration, isolation/rejection, or other societally imposed difficulty. If he remains just a happy little guy with some quirks, I would suggest just enjoying every moment! If you suspect that there is more to your concerns, ask that the school psychologist provide a Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) and a Gilliam Asperger's Scale (or equivalent). With those scores, you can better assess if any further investigation may be necessary. If you have any other questions, please let me know.
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QUESTION: Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your answer. I was just wondering a couple of things. What about my son reminded you of your sons? And, if your sons were fairly social at his age, what problems did you begin seeing in second and third grade with them? At this point, like I decribed, my son's problems are mostly behavioral but I do have hope because he has coem so far. Finally, what is my son's future likely to hold if he is like this now? We have Aspergers/ADD traits on both sides of the family but nobody has ever been diagnosed. There are a couple of passive mute like adults on one side. They hold many traits, even minor stims except that they were exceptional athletes????. Both grown men now, one of them works in a rat lab and has never had a girlfriend. That is the kind of thing I am afraid of. On the other side of the family, is another grown man who couldn't sit still and ran around the classroom through 2nd grade. Dubbed a "spaz" as a child by my husband. As an adult he has social anxiety, numerous OCDS, and is rude and obnoxious without even knowing it. He, however, is very successful and divorced. I want to do what I can to prevent my sons furture from becoming either of these! Thanks and I appreciate your feedback. Also, do you have articles or your own thoughts on female Aspergers? I've heard it presents differently in females but haven't found any good info on exactly how!
Answer I'll copy and paste some information from my website about my son and my own experience (my daughter presented more like me as a child):
Considering my early experiences in education, which were not so grand, it is a surprise to find myself in 23rd grade and actively seeking yet another degree. I have a son, who is gifted with learning disabilities, Asperger's, and ADD. I, too, have learning disabilities, AS, and ADHD. My goal in creating the Annie Books, is to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children and their parents. During my Kindergarten through Second grade years, I was placed in a box at school. I don't mean a figurative "box," I mean a real "stove" box. A hole was cut out in the front to allow me to see the teacher, but it was meant as a preventative measure for my incessant need to chat with my neighbors.
Being young and happy, I had a lot to say. I just assumed that everyone else enjoyed my company as much as I did! As I moved into upper elementary, I became more, anxious, shy and self-conscious. My social ineptness became more glaringly apparent, and my seeming inability to make or keep friends, caused me great sadness. We moved a lot, and I experienced five school systems prior to middle school. My extreme shyness and discomfort gave way in high school to a "cheerleader smile," which I used to keep anyone from asking what was wrong. AS girls are excellent at "masking" our difficulties.
I excelled at sports, academics, and leadership activities, but I could never figure out why I felt different. The meltdowns I experienced in response to random over-stimulation (could be a great basketball game or a fight with a boyfriend) became more and more extreme. My hyperactivity and impulsivity gave way to anxiety and depression. During my sophomore year, I began to believe that I was stupid, and started threatening to quit school. Six weeks after graduation, I left for the Air Force. It was during my service in the military, in night school, that I began to realize that I could be a learner. I found enjoyment in the pursuit of education.
I became a single parent at a very young age. Working fulltime during the day as a microbiologist and medical technologist, I completed my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree in School Psychology. When my son started school, he was a happy, smiling, outgoing little boy. The day he stepped into his classroom, the light in his eyes dimmed. His teachers bemoaned his inattentiveness, and seeming inability to focus.
My son was in second grade when he began labeling himself as stupid. We had many afternoon and evenings of the, as I call them, "Why can't you just(s)?" Why can't you just focus? Why can't you just get started? Why can't you just put something on paper? It took me years to understand, if he could … he would. I started reflecting on my own, "Why can't I just(s)?" Why can't I pay attention? Why can't I just be normal? Why can't I just be happy? Working as a School Psychologist, I found enjoyment and my professional niche with inner city emotionally disturbed children. I could work with all of my students and diffuse the most volatile circumstances with understanding, support, and acceptance. Unfortunately, even as a 'successful' adult, my inability to 'get' the unwritten rules of social niceties, continues to plague my interactions with same age peers. I do, however, find extreme pleasure in working with children, parents, and senior citizens. The rules are clear, and the expectations are obvious. -Michelle
If you would like to email me, or go to the website: anniebooks.com, I'll send you a click book "I have Asperger's yes I do. I have Asperger's how bout you?" and a couple of articles I've written about women/girls with Asperger's. There are many suggestions in both the book and the articles about addressing the social emotional and behavioral concerns in a proactive way. I hope this is helpful.
