Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that is part of a group of conditions called autism spectrum disorders. The term "autism spectrum" refers to a range of developmental disabilities that includes autism and other disorders with similar characteristics. They are known as spectrum disorders because the symptoms each can appear in different combinations and in various degrees of severity. AS is often difficult to diagnose and treat. Kids with AS do not have delayed language development, they have average or above average intelligence, in Conner's case above average, he is gifted. Conner has a lack of skills in interacting with others. He has issues with social interactions and the ability to sustain friendships. He also doesn't pick up on social cues or emotions. He has behavioral rigidity which impacts emotional regulation, he also fixates on the need to do things a certain way. He has Symbolic dysfunction, unspecified social/pragmatic language delay, which means, turn taking difficulties with peers in conversations, difficulty joining a group of peers, difficulty making and keeping friends,reduced ability to understand or use appropriate body language, difficulty initiating and maintaining conversations or terminating them appropriately, difficulty elaborating in conversation without being off-topic, difficulty asking and answering questions relevant to the situation, difficulty following conversations and contributing polite, relevant statements.He has fixations and narrow range of interests in play. He has deficits in attention and sensory sensitivity, strong reaction to textures and smells. He has a delay in motor skills. Now I have the answers to why he cried so much as a baby, why he did not sleep well until he was about 4, why he would throw up when he ate or smelled foods, why he has such a hard time in conversations, why he can't make and keep friends, why he has such a hard time learning to tie his shoes and riding a bike, why he could never play by himself, and so many other things that I thought were strange but did not have an answer to. Conner is a sweet, loving, incredibly smart boy who wants so bad to have friends but simply doesn't know how to go about it, he doesn't understand other people's emotions, read facial expressions or body language. He is immature. Has poor coordination and is clumsy. He has peculiar preoccupations. His peers think he is odd, he gets teased and often feels like a social outcast. Right now he is happy but I worry that he can become depressed. My goal is to help him so that he can grow up to be happy, he is so smart he can become anything he wants to be. I want to help him so that he can go on a mission. I worry that his eating and social issues might be a problem. He doesn't know he has Aspergers, we are going to wait until the therapist and Brent and I feel he is ready to know. I knew he had something but could not figure it out, Brent and I thought he would outgrow it. Heavenly Father blessed us with a wonderful teacher who knew that Conner had Aspergers. His teacher Mrs. Fetters used to work with children with this syndrome. She told the psychologist that was evaluating Conner, "If he doesn't have it, then I had no idea what I was doing when I was teaching these kids". I know the Lord was watching over Conner and He loves him! As a parent you feel so guilty that I waited this long, BUT Aspergers is diagnosed between the ages of 5-9 years old. I always felt bad when people would put me down, as if I did not know how to take care of my kid! I would get put down for feeding him, or for always giving him the foods he liked and not making him eat what I cooked. Dinners would and still take a long time. There was no way of having a nice sit down, family dinner. So I would feel guilty of not having a family dinner. It is so hard to go places with Conner, traveling is so difficult. It is so much better to be home!!! I wish there was more charity, that we would not put parents down for doing the things they feel are best for their kids. I feel that as a parent I know my child better than anyone else. When Brent told me there was another baby that needed to come to our family, I had a hard time. I thought I was done!! Parker was my baby. But I agreed because, I believed he had received inspiration and he is the father of our home. I am so glad Conner came to us, I can't imagine him being in another family that perhaps would not understand him. I love Conner so much and I am so thankful for him and that he is my son! He is teaching me so much, but especially patience.
