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[kesha ward]

Hi! My name is Kesha Ward and i am the mother to 4 children. I ahve a 3 year old daughter who was diagnosed with Asperger's last year. My 8 year old son also some some defining characteristics of Asperger's as well as my 2 year old. Can one family actually have this many children with needs? I have not had my 2 year old diagnosed or even seen a specialist because I don't want the doctors to automatically think he has something worng with him as they all seem to think. I know what is in the best interest of my son but it is hard enough to hear the news for one child let alone another one. Is this even possible? My life is very hectic. My 3 year old functions very high and has great vocabulary but she does not like new people and can become over stimulated quickly which sends her into behaviors. My 2 year old is much like her but i wonder if this can be learned behaviors also. Please send me any responces about the chances of Asperger's or Autism running in families. Thank you!

[ariane321]

Hi Kesha,

Thank you for joining and I hope that other parents on the site can serve as a source of support for you :) In my years working as a school psychologist, I have noted that there tends to be many children on the spectrum with brothers and sisters also on the spectrum or having characteristics...I've also seen parents who find out later in life that they may also be somewhere on the spectrum...

Use your support system....make sure they are getting the support they need through the schools...and most of all, try to take care of yourself when times get hectic :)

Good to meet you and look forward to talking more!

Ariane

[Mike]

Hi Keesha, I read your post and I guess that I may be someone of interest to you. I have two children with Aspergers. I have a son 12 and a daughter 14 that display their Aspergers in different ways but both are definately on the spectrum. I went for my first training at Auburn University and then in 2005 and I'm sure the figures have probably changed since then. I was told that a sibling of a child with aspergers/autism had a 30% greater chance of being on the spectrum. If it does turn out that you have two children on the spectrum I am very happy to see that you are addressing it early. I had never heard the term "Aspergers" until my son was almost 6 years old and after many heartaches, and nightmarish events. I feel now that if I had just known then much of those events my son wouldn't have had to go through. My son has very good Eye and I was told back then over and over by doctors and phsychiatrist that i could rule autism out. Well we have came a long way in the understanding of autism in the last 5 years. In our my support group of the 12 original families that joined my site now 3 others have children with two children with aspergers. Though the chances are more likely that doesn't by no means mean that your 2 year old has aspergers. I hope that this is of help to you. I have rating scales that can be done in the privacy of your own home. I believe that no one knows there child better than you know yours. Though at older age I found out that my child was different when in other more stimulating environments that I did not see at home in his comfort zone. I hope a tidbit of this has been of some help to you. Nice to meet you welcome to the site.
Mike