I was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome a few yrs ago and have finally found an article written from the inside.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/autism.essay/index.html
I hope a few of you can read this with out the normal sarcasm associated with this board and ask questions. I am open to answer anything you all have to ask.

I can only thanks god we picked up on the signs of one of our sons and were able to get him Early Intervention therapy. He was originally diagnosed with Autism but has since been classified to be in the Autistic spectrum like Asperger's but not Autistic. If not for his early(from 2 years old) and constant therapy we would have lost him to Autism. He is currently is Pre-K for special needs kids and next year will be in regular half day K and a half day of a special program aimed at mainstreaming him by time he reaches 1st grade. Some of his abilities like remembering names/faces, places and directions would blow your mind...he will always hold a special place in my heart. I can go on and on but I am sure others on this board are affected or know of someone who is.

I can not stress enough to seek early intervention and to see specialist not your regular pediatrician if you might suspect something. DO NOT WAIT, do not deny it, do not feel guilty, just seek the help that is out there for your child or alert another parent of your concerns. There is hope and there is a light at the end of the tunnel, my son is proof that YOU can take the first steps toward your child living the life he/she deserves and not losing their childhood.

Is there any association between asperger's and memory problems?

I have a friend who has wondered for awhile if he's got it - and he's also been developing memory problems over the past several years.

I don't think you'll get sarcasm presenting the topic the way you have. I do dread the inevitable spread of misinformation about thimerosal and other vaccine components and their (nonexistant) link to autism.

Wapner in 3 minutes....

Sorry.

Vaccines haven't been 100% ruled out. There is thought that certain vaccines can trigger the condition, not exactly cause it. Many feel we give our vaccinations too soon and to many bundled together.

My son also has a strong attachment to cars/trucks which isn't a bad thing. I can be working on my car/truck and he will be right there beside me and ask what I am doing. Months can go by and he can describe to me the way disc brakes go back together from start to finish. Or how I rebuilt my Subaru motor and the parts/descriptions on what I replaced and what tools I used.

Volunteer your time if you can, these kids really need to have someone guide them and help them focus. Check your area but there are usually sports programs that can always use an extra hand, most of us could easily help them out for a few hours a month.

The way you just described how your kid can remember the brakes and motor assembly really brings me back to when my dad had a landscaping bussiness. I was about 6 or 7 and he would take me to the homes he was working at because he would put me incharge of laying out all the parts according to the plans he would draw up and he was always amazed that with out fail I could read the codes on the plans and know exactly what to put where and figure out what it needed to connect to each pipe.

I look back now and I cannot think of not having my abilities. If you ever have any questions or need help with what your son and your family are going through, I have been there I did not find out till I was 17 and out of hs. I have finally gone back and gotten my GED now at 22 so I am very glad to hear that you have gotten him diagnosed because that is the most difficult part.

Hey guys,
Nice to see this post from Wednesday/Thursday. Autism seems to be growing. Many issues in society are growing and or we are getting better at diagnosing the issues.

JMiles - congratulations on completing the GED. My sister is continuing to struggle with the math portion at 30.

FSR - glad to hear you guys are working with your son.

My wife is a pediatric OT and works with a lot of kids with autism. Push your school district and find advocacy groups. She actually called the Director of Spec. Ed in our school district for lying to parents about trying to hire staff. They offered a Speach Therapist 10.00/hour. Probably 1/3 of the typical salary. My wife would love the work schedule, but when she called, the HR said that they were not hiring. Needless to say, she will not likely be hired.

Back to autism, All parents need to make sure that they have good pediatric care to make sure that their children are developing. Insurance companies are also a pain because they are enjoying the uncertainty of the cause and many refuse to pay for therapy.

There are great pediatric therapy groups in most larger communities. Also check with your local Health Dept. because they many times have teams of therapists who work together to coordinate services and are good sources for services within your community.

Take care fellas.

Todd