AboutPaul Johnson Expertise All questions regarding late diagnosis (Adults with Asperger's Or othe ASD's). Spirituality and ASD, Relationships, How our minds work,
Adolescent development with AS and Self Definition as an Autistic culture.
Experience Diagnosed with AS at age of 47, countless expereinces related to AS.
Journalist and highly self reflective. Two degrees in Psychology.
Conducting two Adult with Asperger's groups. Writer and lecturer in the area.
Organizations Toastmasters
Autism Society of Minnesota
Loft center for writers
Publications Double Dutch in the Nile Garden-Collection of poetry book 1996
Numerous articles
The Love Book-Unpublished
No Woman No Cry book regarding cultural aspects of grief-Unpublished
Education/Credentials High school diploma-Abraham Lincoln Brooklyn New York
Undergraduate City College of New York B.A. PSYCHOLOGY
Graduate school University of Minnesota M.A. Counseling Psychology
Awards and Honors Volunteer of the years-Mayors Award New York City 1980
Unsung hero in community-Minneapolis 2000
Community service award 2006.
Question Hi. Im concerned with the behaviour of my 10 year old son. At times he can slip into his own world as if in a prolonged daydream. While in this state he repeatedly sniffs, blinks or makes peculiar noises from hes throat. Unlike his eight year old brother, he rarely plays with the children in the street even though they constantly ask for hes company and he is happiest playing the same computer game or watching the same TV shows repeatedly. Could this be signs of autism?
Kindest regards, Kim
Answer Hey Kim,
Thank you for your important and interesting question. The simple answer is; that there is no doubt that those behaviors described by you and attributed to your 10 year old are symptoms of Autism. Now comes the harder part. Is he really on the Autism Spectrum of Disorders? To answer the harder part would require the skilled assessment of a pediatrician that is well versed in diagnosing and treating ASD's. Try contacting the Autism Society of your state and find out what suggestions they have for pediatricians.
Simultaneous to that would be to read accounts of young ones like your son to see how well he fits into their pattern of behaviors. You are well ahead of the curve because your question certainly implied that your informed knowledge guided you to make an inquiry into his behaviors. The more you are aware of and more you can inform his clinician the more accurate the assessment will be. A favorite of many is the testimony of Luke Jackson. He was close to your son in age when he wrote Freaks and Geeks.
Lastly I want to end on the first thing you said. The first symptom of being in a prolonged daydream and world of his own is a profound symptom of Autism. I can recall being his age and I had absolutely no conception how I looked to others and even less of a care. I did things peculiarly because they felt good to me and it mattered not how it looked nor what others might think. Likewise my 14 year old son has many odd mannerism and acts in ways that others would think weird and he has no conception that others are watching. Keep and eye on this and make sure to add this to your report when it is time to make a diagnosis.
