Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/15/2006

Question
My son is 7.  He has shown all these behavious since he was about 3, he has stopped the headbanging, but I was told he would grow out of it. In social situations with friends his own age he wants to control the situation, it is either play by his rules or not at all.  He also pretty much the same with adults.  
His social language is very pedantic and somewhat literal, he is often discribed as a "little old man".   He will talk for ages about something not really caring if anyone is listening to him.  He is very obsessive, and will talk about little else.  At the moment his current obsessions are volcaneos and doctor who.  
Also I forgot to mention in my previous email, I was told he scored very highly in the autistic questionaire.  Autism was thought to be the first line of investigation but was dismissed within minutes after my ex husband said that when we were married we rowed "all the time". They then said he was an "odd" little boy with complex problems but he is not autistic, His brain has apparently "hardwired" to cope with arguements and that his "hardwiring" can be undone.  This was all done in one session of less then two hours!! And they have catorgorically stated to me that he is definitely not autistic.
I live in the UK. My son is involved with CAMHS.
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Followup To

Question -
My son displays behaviour such as hooting, screeching, flapping arms, "chicken" dancing, rocking, bouncing, jumping, limited repetitive play skills, low self esteem, difficulty commencing and occasionally sustaining adult directed tasks, diffiulty maintaining relationships with adults and peers, he becomes easily frustrated and will become physically and verbally aggressive, can overreact to being touched, easily distracted by noise, short attention span, likes routine and finds it difficult to change task, difficulty listening, and difficulty following verbal instructions.  He is like this at home and school.  I have been told by the local NHS group that he is not autistic because of his parents seperation and divorce in his early life and he does not present these behaviours as a "pervasive feature". Instead they suggest he needs a hearing check and he has "neuro developmental immaturities".  What is your opinion? Should I get a second opinion?

Answer -
Hi Amanda;

Yes, you should get a second opinion. I need to know a lot more about his social language, social behavior, his age, etc.

Do you live in Ireland or the UK. I have considerable experience with the health and education departments in the Republic of Ireland.

Kind Regards,
James

Answer
Hi Amanda;

Based on the behaviors, social and cognitive features I would hazard to guess that your son most likely has Asperger's Syndrome (AS), which is synonymous with PDD-NOS and high functioning autism. I am almost certain. Your parental difficulties would cause a behavioral pattern consistent with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)and not what you are currently seeing. You need a full assessment by an individual or team expert in the areas of AS.

I can recommend the testing that should be done. Also, there is a very good Asperger's forum on the Internet in the UK. These experienced parents can help you get the services your son needs.

Kind Regards,
James