Expert: James Michael Roan - 2/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello - our happy little girl is no longer happy.  About 3 months ago she seemed to change.  She used to love playing with her friends(has one friend who she still enjoys playing with) and one day she told us she no longer wants to play with them. I asked her why and she said she does not like children as they take her toys and push her.

She spends allot of her day pretending. She will talk to her dolls as she runs about and pretends to be different characters throughout the day ie: Cinderella.  At time, she also talks to us through her toy bunny.  ie: bunny wants to go out now or bunny is not feeling well.

She also chatters all day long, some of the talk makes sense and some of it does not. Her preschool has noticed this constant chatter and they believe she has severe anxiety.  She will not play with the children, however she takes part during circle time and enjoys snack time with the children.  She enjoys playing with one of the teachers.  

She has also become afraid of people and does not like people to say hello or goodbye to her etc.

She enjoys playing with adults, as they will play the game of her choice and she loves books.  She will pick up a book and just walk around the house making up her own story about what she sees.

What are these signs of - could it be aspegers since she talks all day long or could it be something else?  We are very concerned, especially since the preschool pointed out that she chatters all day long and suggested we look into getting her into a special kindergarten program once she starts school.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.  

Thanks in advance for providing your wonderful services.

Regards

ANSWER: Hi Pina:

This does sound like Asperger's syndrome (AS). Most children I have observed at this age do NOT participate willingly in Circle Time. At this age children with AS tend to play according to their own agenda as you have described here. Eye contact and interactions are quite limited with peers preferring adult interactions. She should have social therapy or intervention. Do you live in the U.S.?

Kind regards,
James







Disclaimer:

While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find our resources useful.


Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello James,

Thank you so much for your quick response.  

We reside in Canada, do you know if there are social therapy programs in Canada?  

Also, how effective in social therapy; what does it consist of and do individuals who obtain therapy learn to communication/function normally?

Thanks again for your response, it is greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Pina;

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what Canada has, although a parent from there recently commented on how good the services were. Social interventions help increase eye contact and social interactions. The child with Asperger's syndrome (AS) will always struggle with social behavior and will blend in with others quite well in post adolescence.

Kind regards,
James









Disclaimer:

While James Michael Roan has attempted to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. The purpose of this web site is to provide information to families with children, teens, and adults with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay. James Michael Roan does not prefer any one organization to another, and it is not responsible for the information listed on an organization's web site, or any disseminated information either verbal or written. Please be advised we are not giving medical advice and that circumstances can dictate different treatments. If these issues affect you or your loved ones you should seek professional advice. This site is operated for informational purposes only. At no time will James Michael Roan attempt to diagnose or dismiss a potential diagnosis over the Internet. We hope that you find our resources useful.


Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.