An Official Diagnosis

WE LOVE YOU ABRYN!!

Well, after years of wondering, reading, doctors appointments, crying, blessings, and so forth, our journey has finally come to a point where we have a clear direction.  After many pages of questionnaires about Abryn from birth to now, teachers reports, meetings with counselors, psychologists, and intervention teams at school...we have the official "diagnosis" from someone who knows it when he sees it.  Dr. Leavell at St. Lukes Developmental Pediatrics  is amazing.  It was like he knew Abryn from the inside out, and I suddenly had someone who understood what we were going through.  Many tears accompanied a very LONG and intense two hour appointment today, and with a smile on his face, Dr. Leavell said this..."Abryn is a very complex little boy." (You're telling me..) He gave me 4 different 'labels'.. if you will...of what Abryn is dealing with.  He said: Mood/Sensory issues, ADHD, anxiety, and Aspbergers.  Aspberger's being the biggest contributor!  Now before you freak out, or think, "What a crock!"  He went on to say not to get hung up on the labels.  It is a very mild form of all of these things, and he is very high functioning and won't require medication ever probably.  He said it was good we caught it young, and will hopefully be able to avoid depression and major problems in adolescence.  But he put it in a very simple way.  With all the fears and things going on in his little brain...he comes home exhausted and emotionally on empty at the end of each day. TRUE, TRUE, AND TRUE!!  His biggest problem, are not getting the social "cues"..thus the misbehavior.  I can't type it all here, buy mostly with all of these things intertwined...he's just a special little guy that the good Lord entrusted to me.  I feel so relieved, and sorry for him at the same time.  Glad we caught it early, so we can help him build a happy, successful life. If you don't know what Aspberger's is, I've included a brief (or not so brief) description.  He mostly leaned towards this as being the biggest category of things he deals with.

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome, also called Asperger's disorder, is a type of pervasive development disorder (PDD). PDDs are a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate, and to use imagination.

Although Asperger's syndrome is similar in some ways to autism -- another, more severe type of PDD -- there are some important differences. Children with Asperger's syndrome typically function better than do those with autism. In addition, children with Asperger's syndrome generally have normal intelligence and near-normal language development, although they may develop problems communicating as they get older.

What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome?

The symptoms of Asperger's syndrome vary and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

• Problems with social skills: Children with Asperger's syndrome generally have difficulty interacting with others and often are awkward in social situations. They generally do not make friends easily.
• Eccentric or repetitive behaviors: Children with this condition may develop odd, repetitive movements, such as hand wringing or finger twisting.
• Unusual preoccupations or rituals: A child with Asperger's syndrome may develop rituals that he or she refuses to alter, such as getting dressed in a specific order.
• Communication difficulties: People with Asperger's syndrome may not make eye contact when speaking with someone. They may have trouble using facial expressions and gestures, and understanding body language. They also tend to have problems understanding language in context.
• Limited range of interests: A child with Asperger's syndrome may develop an intense, almost obsessive, interest in a few areas, such as sports schedules, weather, or maps.
• Coordination problems: The movements of children with Asperger's syndrome may seem clumsy or awkward.
• Skilled or talented: Many children with Asperger's syndrome are exceptionally talented or skilled in a particular area, such as music or math.

What Causes Asperger's Syndrome?

The exact cause of Asperger's syndrome is not known. However, the fact that it tends to run in families suggests that a tendency to develop the disorder may be inherited (passed on from parent to child).

How Common Is Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger's syndrome has only recently been recognized as a unique disorder. For that reason, the exact number of people with the disorder is unknown, although it is more common than autism. Estimates suggest Asperger's syndrome affects from 0.024% to 0.36% of children. It is more common in males than in females, and usually is first diagnosed in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years.

How Is Asperger's Syndrome Diagnosed?

If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical exam. Although there are no tests for Asperger's syndrome, the doctor may use various tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms.

If no physical disorder is found, the child may be referred to a specialist in childhood development disorders, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, or another health professional who is specially trained to diagnose and treat Asperger's

How Is Asperger's Syndrome Treated?

There currently is no cure for Asperger's syndrome, but treatment may improve functioning and reduce undesirable behaviors. Treatment may include a combination of the following:

• Special education: Education that is structured to meet the child's unique educational needs.
• Behavior modification: This includes strategies for supporting positive behavior and decreasing problem behavior by the child.
• Speech, physical, or occupational therapy: These therapies are designed to increase the child's functional abilities.
• Medication : There are no medications to treat Asperger's syndrome itself, but drugs may be used to treat specific symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

What Is the Outlook for People With Asperger's Syndrome?

Children with Asperger's syndrome are at risk for developing other mental illnesses, such as depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But, there are various treatment options available for these conditions.

Because the level of intelligence often is average or higher than average, many people with Asperger's syndrome are able to function very well. They may, however, continue to have problems socializing with others through adulthood.

Can Asperger's Syndrome Be Prevented?

Asperger's syndrome cannot be prevented or cured. However, early diagnosis and treatment can improve function and quality of life.