Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 2/1/2012

Question
QUESTION: Dear Valerie,

I stay in India. My son aged 5 years has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndorme. He has problems in communication (repeatitive speech, difficulty to comprehend), limited social interaction and also he has this obsession with a particular thing. He also has some motor difficulty like buttoning his shirt, wearing shoes. Sometimes he feels lost in his own world. Now he has been diagnosed, how do I change my way of parenting. Its a very emotional concern for me. As its my only  son and I want hime to be independent. I have advised to see a OT for his sensory integration skills.  Please suggest.

ANSWER: HI Meenu

I think you have taken the first steps: diagnosis and looking into OT. By the way, the OT will also be able to work with him on the motor issues as well.

Being that he has some speech issues, you will also need to seek out a speech therapist who will help him to learn to speak and comprehend more clearly.

I don't know how to advise you in terms of parenting as I don't know what you have been doing up until now. However, I would recommend that you try to understand that your son's obsessions are not his fault, however. There are strategies that you can use to help him deal with them. I would recommend that you enlist the help of a behaviorist who can guide you to help him with the behavioral component of his issue

Good luck and write back anytime.


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

QUESTION: Thanks Valerie. Its a tough time for me to accept the scenario. I will take him to OT and speech therapist, but  in terms of what I need to do at home, is also important. Is it possible to get the help of a behaviorist here on this website. thanks, Meenu

Answer
Hi Meenu

I know how hard it is to accept. Take it one step at a time. This website services is not structured to give specific therapy interventions for a specific child. I am sure that there are behaviorists in India that can help you. If not, a behavioral psychologist can help.

Take care