Autism/hfc

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Expert: - 10/17/2006


Question
Hello catherine

my son was diagnoised 2 years ago with apergers and add i was also diagnoised with add at the same time i am being medicated the last few weeks and feel good about myself i always felt extream guilt thinking it was my fault my son was not quite the same as others i am always and have always been very protective alawys making excues for odd behavior.not really odd but he is ten now highly intelgent nd has come on so much with ot but my problem is when he comes home from school he speaks to me pretending to have baby language and tone i love him but have i done something wrong i have told him i would like him to speak normally as he has perfect speech but 2mins later he starts again

Answer
Hi Caroline,

I am not sure why your son insists on the baby talk. Perhaps he feels safer at home to be young and vulnerable.

Does he do this at school?

Right now, I would try the "what gets ignored gets extinguished." That is, tell him you can only respond to a 10 year old voice from him. When he talks like a baby, ignore it, both the kind of talk AND the request. When he asks for something in his "big boy" voice, respond normally. Don't make a big show of it either way.

As you know, kids with Asperger's can hold on to things a long time so be persistent.

Do an Internet search for Asperger's syndrome and find some good web pages and books about rearing your son. You'll need to know as much or more than the school to get him the appropriate services.

Best wishes,
Catherine

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Catherine Ridenour

Expertise

I can answer your questions about parenting your High Functioning Autisic or Asperger`s Syndrome child. In particular, questions about family life, discipline, siblings, finding resources, and working with (sometimes opposing) the educational system are welcome.

Experience

I am the parent of an Asperger's Syndrome child who is now 22 years old. She went undiagnosed for 14 years of her life, so I have done extensive reading and Internet research into the possible cause of her difficulties. Even a short 8 years ago, A.S. was practically unheard of by the public educational system.

We fumbled our way through her childhood and early adolescence without any effective outside support. In some ways, that may have been a blessing as we were focused on her abilities rather than a label for her disability. However, I can think of many times when knowing WHY would have been comforting.

Had we known very early on, some social skills interventions might have made her life in school easier. At this point, I like her for who she is so I do not regret how things have turned out. More importantly, she likes herself.

Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Science in Education.

I have worked to educate myself about Autism in general and HFA/AS in particular.

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