Expert: James Michael Roan - 5/14/2007

Question
Your opinion please,
My 8 year old boy defiantly shows some sigh of autism, but I'm unsure what path to take. He plays with other children briefly then looses interest. He has trouble sharing as do my other children. He shys away from my affections when his mother is present as he thinks this may offend her, though he is very cuddly with her. He has only lined his toys up once to my knowledge, he was around 4 at the time. He always has to voice his motives or opinions after you tell him something, ( i.e. seems to talk back allot) He loves dinosaurs and animal planet, and has for years. This seems odd to hold an interest for such a long time. He is always pretending that he is some sort of lizard or dragon.
He does not have outburst unless his siblings upset him. He does not seem apathetic to others, quite the opposite, he is overly sentimental. He does not have any routine change problems.
The school has asked he be evaluated and our pediatrics doctor doesn't belive he has autism, but wants him to see a specialist. I am curious as to your opinion.
Thanks  

Answer
Hi Steve;

I'll agree that from what you cited there may be a chance he has what s called "Asperger's Syndrome." The school may be looking at the low sociality and dinosaur interests. I'll need more information on his social communication:

1. Does he speak with a loud voice?

2. Does he talk incessantly about areas that interest him, yet is a poor listener when others are talking?

3. Did he, does he have trouble with pronoun usage?

4. Does he want to have friends but is unable to make them and/or keep them?

Look up descriptions of Asperger's on the internet and tell me what you think. There are many children who have some symptoms of Asperger's but not enough to meet the diagnostic criteria.

Kind regards,
Jim