is there any value in having a diagnosis

i would defiantly say that getting a diagnosis is important. my situation is slightly diffrent but would like to share. 

i have always known that something wasnt right with my son but couldnt put my finger on it. i was always fobbed off with he will grow out of it or he was 8 weeks premature he will catch up. i accepted this.

then in year 1 he started to really struggle at school and refused to go in most mornings. he would have major meltdowns and would be sent home after only 10 minutes at school. then he started getting violent and at 5 was excluded from school. he was put on school action plus and an iep. the behavioural specialist was bought in and work begin. she suspected that he may be asd and referred us to a community peadiatritian. the tantrums and exclusions carried on until last septemeber then he went to school for the first 3 days of term had a major meltdown,smashed up the classroom and was permanently excluded and labelled a naughty child.

that was until he went to a special temporary school and they recognised the signs. we have been on the journey for almost a year and two days ago we got his diagnosis of aspergers/high functioning autism. this will now help his as we can now get him his statement and the one to one that he will need to be reintergrated back in to mainstream school. it is also good that i now no that he isnt just a naughty child and i was right. i just wish i would have pushed earlier and maybe he wouldnt have had to go through the last awful year

good luck on your journey what ever the outcome and always remember that you are doing the best for your child

Ignoring the symptoms you list (no one can diagnose your son via a forum, and every symptom can have multiple possible causes), and adressing the main question in your original post (i.e. is there any value in having him diagnosed):

As someone on the spectrum who was not diagnosed until my late 30s, I'd say, yes, absolutely, there is value in getting him diagnosed now!

1. A diagnosis will tell you whether your suspicions are correct or not.

2. If he is on the Autistic Spectrum, then a diagnosis opens doors to support and help.

3. Either way, it's better to get him help and support now, than to just muddle on, and for him to end up unhappy, and lonely because of the difficulties he has.

It is said asperger gives two different persona's,, one under stress and another under non- stress . The stress is the world moving about and overwhelming outwith your security, the non-stress is enjoying your daily route doing what you like within your security. Shelter, guidance, reassurance, comfort and a joyful activities withing a regular route without too many outside pressures helps me cope and stay in the non-stressed persona, aka relaxed and happy.

Hi again Sparkle,

I think considering your circumstances that is a wise choice, your son is doing really well in coping with all of the above, but good to help him in case he gets bogged down it can be a stressful time for boys that age.  Read all you can about Aspergers to help you understand, that is the best thing you can do to support him and stand your sons ground if neccessary.

Good luck

Puffin

Thank you for replying. A few more details, things he does genuinly did not understand

 asked him whats it like in the back (new car). Just can not grasp what I'm asking

If having a shower, can not work out what to use. Lots of tears and distress. He has to have his own things and gets upset if anything changes. 

could you live with yourself you hurt someone. No idea what I'm talking about

choose a long sleeved top to wear. Massive confusion and crying, as cant decide 

hurts himself when confused. Hits head, or pinches himself

 I have to cut labels out of things as they hurt him. Would not wear junior school uniform as the logo hurt him. Assumed it was exzema. 

Focuses on the details can not see the bigger picture. At a wedding in the summer, he could see the bride was struggling with her dress, and just went and helped her. During the speeches, he couldn't hear, and very loudly told me he couldn't here, and that the person was talking to quietly. 

has hyper mobility  and shoe insoles, so always ran awkwardly and hated walking, but this can be explained by physical reason

obsesive about anything he collects. Can recite all Pokemon names, charecteristics etc but only just managed to teach him the months of the year. Through repetition every day . 

Brilliant at art, copying things. Great with detail, but can not express any emotion. Does not see that anything is beautiful ie a flower tree, it just is what it is.

does well in maths in middle group, but struggles to write things down. 

he was on school action until year five, now year 7. His history teacher, has noticed that nstead of writing he answers questions by drawing.

Friends wise, he does not have any friends that he would call a best friend, but he does fit in. Mainly because he good at drawing, and will happily draw things for people.

He struggles to talk to people, with one word answers even to his grandparents. How are you xxxx, answers Fine or fine thank you if we are lucky. He is bright though, in so many other ways. As a young  child he showed no emotion towards us. Now we get hugs and I love you, which are very genuine at bed time.

Terrible temper, will throw things or hit himself.  We try and boost his confidence by sending him to an art teacher. And give praise often

physically has mild asthma, excema, hyper mobility of joints. One hand has a single Palmer crease. He goes through phases of clicking making strange noises, which hugest worse if you try to correct. 

Hope that answers your questions 

Thank you, I think I would like to know how to deal with his confusion better, and try and help with his communication. The school is huge, and he is easily lost in the system, there are 270 in each year group. The only teacher that has noticed anything and reported back to us, is his history teacher. The SEN department, talked the talk then did nothing. We also think he has dyslexia, he wants to be an artist, but you need an English qualification to get into art, so if having him assessed and confirmed helps in anyway with taking tests etc, then that would be a good reason. Thank you again.

Hi Sparkle,

i am no expert but on reading about your son he does seem to be showing signs on traits of aspergers.  My son is six and has aspergers although not officially diagnosed yet.  His teachers raised the possibility first when he started primary school.  All the behaviour you have mentioned is very similar to my son.

Have your sons teachers not raised any concerns?  They can start the ball rolling for an assessement if wanted, or your GP.

I have not had my son assessed as i am told his needs are being met at the moment and he needs no extra care or help at school ( a very small school). I have been told that all that would be gained at the moment in having my son assesed is an "answer" to his behaviour and i would be able to contact local support groups?!

Well i have finally accepted he has aspergers, he copes at school, i have this site for support , so for me there is no point in getting him assessed, he will not gain any extra help from it at the moment, possibly when he starts high school or if his behaviour got worse causing him stress then i  may reconsider.

I think you should chat to the head teacher at his school first and see what they say?  Some children with Aspergers need extra help at school if your son is not one of these children and he hides his traits well as my son does, they will not give extra help at school and the main reasons then for a diagnosis would be peace of mind for you, to finally know the answer to his behaviour.

Puffin

In order for me to answer that question, you will have to provide some more information, as the behaviour you describe above, could be displayed in any 11 year old child, particularly the bit about him jumping on his brother. The witch thing could be a case of taking something literally, but on its own does add up to much - any 11 year old could possibly get confused by this. However, if it is part of a general inability to understand things, then this is more significant.

The crucial question, regarding Aspergers, concerns whether or not he struggles with making and/or keeping friends, but particularly within his peer group.  Are his social interactions, in general, inappropriate for his age? Does he have any obsessions/rituals/a need for routine? Any intense and narrow interests? Is he clumsy in certain areas or does he struggle with some aspects of coordination? Is he anxious and nervous about small things in his environment such as lots of people or chaos?