Could my daughter have Aspergers??

[islandmom]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering......many of you know that my 8yo daughter has ADHD/ODD. She was diagnosed with that in 11/06. She has been doing well, but lately I've been noticing things & thinking that there may be more going on...so I started my research. I am wondering if she could possibly have Aspergers? The things I have noticed are lack of social skills, it's almost as though she can't read other peoples expressions. She has been this way since around 4yo. Also, she has "never" been able to maintain eye contact, she always looks away. She refuses to eat certain food because of the texture. She used to clap her hands all the time (constantly), she has gotten over that one (for the most part), but still spins around a lot & is constantly jumping or moving her legs around (unless she is on her meds). There are actually several more of the "symptoms" of Aspergers that she is showing. I'm getting really worried now. Shouldn't the doctor have caught this all when she was initially diagnosed? She does have an appt on the 14th & I will be bringing all of this up, but I just wanted to hear any feedback from you all too. Sorry this was so long, but I needed to get it all out! Thanks

[misty]

Well, Islandmom, alot of kids are DXed ADHD when actually its something else. It COULD be Aspergers, or something else (the not being able to read expressions & the lack of social skills bring to mind NVLD as a possibility). Thankfully you have an appointment coming up soon. If you are worried, you should request a full evaluation, preferably done by a neuropsych if possible. The clapping & twirling don't necessarily call to mind Aspergers. Shannon used to flap her hands when she was over excited & do a bunch of verbal things when she was younger & shes not even DXed hyperactive. She out grew them as her nervous system matured. I hope you get some concrete answers at your appointment.

[katiekat]

My son was DX with ADHD, BP, OCD, and an anxiety disorder by a psych and then when we started going to his current therapist she said some of these things may actually be "symptoms" of Aspergers. When I started looking into it I think that it is a good possibility. I am having a hard time though finding someone who specializes in autism. Right now he is on a waiting list for a developmental ped. & it is a 15-18 month wait.

[charliegirl]

Aspergers can be misidagnosed as ADHD. So many of the symptoms are similar that its easy for someone who isn't experienced in diagnosing aspergers to miss it. It happened to my nephew.

I think the fact that you have looked into it and see warning signs is enough reason to warrant having it looked into. Whether she is diagnosed with it or not, its important to make sure since the treatment isn't the same. Its also possible that she could have both.

[jill]

Islandmom how about Sensory Processing Disorder? My child has it and the not eating certain foods due to texture, repetition almost like OCD behaviors are part of Sensory. With sensory kids are trying to control their environment why the OCD behaviors. I had Annette checked for mild aspergers and she has ODD as well. Also the social skill problem is also a sensory thing too I learned all of this from that book I read
"Sensational Kids Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder" by Lucy Jane Miller, Phd. OTR

* I would discuss with your doctor and OT evaluation.

[islandmom]

Thanks everyone for your input, as you all know this is a very scary road to travel! Thank goodness we have an appointment with her dr on 3/14 & I plan on discussing all of this with him. Like I said there are more things that I have noticed with her than what I put in my original post so I really think there is something more going on that ADHD/ODD. I will keep you all posted! Thanks again