| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 7:48:44 AM | My son had his IQ tested in pre primary at age 5. The reason's for this were because his imagination ran wild.....A scratch on his arm ended up being a bite from a two headed anaconda that jumped out from the bushes, ripped his arm off then he had his arm replaced from a dead kid at the hospital.
Along with the stories came the 'tic's'.....rolling of the eyes, spinning around when excited etc.....and now he just talks and talks.
His IQ was 99% and it was revealed that he is gifted.
Upon enrolling my son into a new school this year I went over his history with the principle and explained the tic's, sucking of his shirt, spinning around and so on.
I was stunned when the principle asked me if I had ever had my son checked for Autism.
I have a referral to visit the child developement centre, but would like to know if anyone here has had any experiences with their children.
An extremely high IQ with it's downfalls or perhaps a child with Autism?
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 7:59:37 AM | Some presentations of autism and aspergers will also include a very high IQ. However, you'll get your best answers from the child development people. In fact, I'd be inclined to recommend a couple of opinions just to be on the safe side.
Wow, it looks like a long, tough row to hoe. You have my best wishes. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 8:05:45 AM | 99% of what? He has a higher IQ then 99% of others? Then his IQ would be over 145. I am not nit picking, I am just trying to understand what you mean.
another question is does your son believe his stories or does he know that he is making stuff up?
you could take him to a hypnotist who workes with integrating fragments.
what ever the case, I would try everything, from all lines of thought (well with in boundries) before I put him on any medication. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 8:08:12 AM | OP, best wishes for you and your son. I had a family member with Asperger's, which is somewhat similar to Autism in many ways, but doesn't bear all of the characteristics that you are experiencing. The individual with Asperger's was extremely bright, but developmentally delayed or socially inept in many ways. He also had Narcissistic Personality Disorder, lacked empathy for others, and exhibited several OCD type behaviours.
I have heard that the rolling of the eyes could be symptomatic of Tourette's, ADHD, as well as other Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The child development centre will run a screening "algorithm" on your son which will produce a "score" and will isolate any areas of concern. Early detection is key, since children often need intervention programs.
Good luck, and be well........ | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 8:49:29 AM | Being that Autism is a relatively newly diagnosed disease, there is still not a lot known about it. However, what you are describing is not necessarily uncommon. There are some people who have a savant mind couple with Autism, which again, is all part of the spectrum. There was a movie about it, I believe it was Rain Man from back in the early 80's.
Overall though, as was previously mentioned, your best bet is to find a Childhood Development specialist and they can give you better answers.
Good luck. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 9:27:52 AM | | hi juliet. sorry to hear about your son. true autistics average out to a higher iq than normal. unfortunately, autism has become a default disease. people that do strange things are diagnosed with autism because the drs don't have a clue what's wrong with them. i had a similar iq when i was a kid, but i knew something was wrong with my brain by the time i was 8. see if you can get a spect scan done on his brain. dr daniel amen has done several thousands of these scans( theyshow blood flow to the brain. ) he has a list of approved drs in many parts of the country that does these scans. people understand that the pancreas can malfunction, but the brain, thousands of times as complex, is always perfectly functional in these peoples eyes. autism is becoming far more prevalent in these high-stress, polluted, man-made chemical times. and these rising numbers are real, not just better detection. high iq has become a scapegoat for many people of lesser intelligence that can't understand how a person can't be interested in american idol or reality shows. larry niven, sci-fi writer of the ringworld series, had characters called protectors. these were super-smart final stage humans. one ofthese remarked "when you can see all the results of your actions you lose choice. one action must be chosen because it is the best action." add and over- function of the left temporal lobe can cause these types of symptoms. good luck in your search. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 4:21:18 PM | | I think schools and such like to blame everything on possible autism. My son was late to start talking;he didn't say much until he'd just about turned 4. His daycare decided that he might be autistic. They said he did other things that clearly pointed to autism. They sent home a sheet showing signs of autism and it said that if a child did 3 of of the things on the sheet then the child was autistic. Well,from what I saw on that sheet every child could be autistic. We had to take him to a specialist who assured us that he was just a normal child with normal development,although our boy surprised her by doing some basic math at age 4. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 4:39:54 PM | Hi Op. I'm a Pre-K teacher with an inclusive classroom. I have children in my room who have all sorts of diagnosises. I understand your concern and understand why you feel you need answers right away, or at least some light shed on the possibilities of what the people at the testing center had to say. I think you'll receive all sorts of answers to this thread. My best advice would be, if at all possible, not to think too much about what the people at the testing center had to say. Sometimes those of us who deal with children on a day to day basis, see things that may raise red flags, but those red flags aren't necessarily detremental, they're just possible indicators, they're not conclusive. The best we can recommend is testing to rule out any and all possibilities. The reason to do that is to give your child the best understanding and best possible start on his path through education, no matter what that be. It could be that your child is just as tested ... gifted. I see ruling out any other possibilites as a positive, not a negative. If there is something more going on, having him tested a bit further can only be a good thing. If there is nothing more going on, then it's good to rule out everything and get focused on his "gifted" nature.
I wish you peace with all of this. The unknown is the worst, isn't it?! It's sort of the same when we have medical tests, you know? We get one answer that requires further testing, then begin to think of all the possibilites, only to find out it really and truly is what was first concluded, something easy to handle, not something as scary as we thought. Those are my wishes for you. That this is something easy peasy, not something more complicated. 
Hi TooShadows!  Sorry you had that sort of experience with your preschool program. It seems a little abrupt to me. I'm glad all is well with your son.  | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/23/2009 7:23:20 PM | Autism is the new ADHD. The drug companies have changed another disease and the way it's diagnosed. I've worked with autistic kids and now all of a sudden every kid has something wrong with them. If a kid fails or is different, pop a drug into them and all is good.
We take more ADD and antidepressant medications then the rest of the world combined.
I would be very careful. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 8:12:58 AM | I have read these reponses with care taking in each individual posting.
I think you'd find better answers from an expert, than you'll find from a bunch of uninformed people in a free dating site's forum. .....This remark, well.....beleive it or not but some of these people on this free dating site just may have a child like mine.
My son was late to start talking;he didn't say much .....I had always thought that Autism was about silence, but at age 2 my son and an adult could have an adult type conversation. The first day I brought the 'potty' out and told him to do a 'wee', he went straight to the loo and bypassed the potty!
cheshirecatalyst.....Thankyou for pointing out Aspergers. I have never heard of such a thing, however I will do some investigating. My son is as bright as anything, however socially withdrawn with children his own age. He's very caring and thinks of others, loves animals and is extremely interested in 'spirits'.....though scared of them.
I don't think he has Tourettes as his 'habits' are fading.....he's almost nine years old now and the rolling of the eyes seldom happens.
This whole thing is very stressful for me as I want to do the right thing by my son.
There is a 3 month wait at the child developement clinic so I guess I need to do some homework.
Thank you to everyone for your advice and personal experiences. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 10:08:18 AM | We went through a situation where they tried to tell me my son was autistic. I was having a hard time with him when we would go out in public. He would have a melt down. When his dad was around he would just be mean. There were a couple of times he was mean to the cats here. I could punish him and he would look at me like a bull ready to charge. One day we were at the doctors office and he told me that my son was showing signs of autism. I thought that was kind of silly but ok. After all he is the expert right? So we go to a children's psychologist. The Dr. gives him all kinds of different tests and tells me he is sorry but he thinks my son is a 4 year old boy. That around that age change isn't always good for them. He said that there might be some signs at a very low end of the scale but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. I am not one for medicating a child so I was happy to hear that. Now, if he is having a bad day we just don't go out and about as much. After all we are all allowed to have a bad day. But we aren't allowed to make the person in the restaurant or at Wal-Mart deal with it. He deals with abandonment issues because of the choices his dad makes. I just have to make sure he knows it is not his fault what his father chooses. It is a hard road but I am hoping it gets easier.
Good luck on your road ahead. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 2:41:20 PM | I have an Aspie kid....took years to have her diagnosed.
She just finished her first year high school and did well in some subjects...not so well in others.
her social skills always need work....she has to be organized... I have to be organized to keep her focussed an ontrack.
she started to play piano at age 2...excelled at it too!...she is gifted in certain ways.....yet lacking in other parts of her life at this point.
we practice....practice ...practice....set goals....and it takes a lot of patience and a good sense of humour.
as for gifted...well....yes...lots of Autistic kids are... lots are lacking social skills...as in...not social butterflies....only comfortable in small groups....they say a lot of computer geeks who spend time alone in their only little world are Aspies....geeks like Bill Gates they say too.....not sure if that is true.
If you saw the movie Rainman.... well Raymond was an Autistic Savant....brilliant with numbers.
they say there is a correlation between music and math for many Autistic people.
my kid may not grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer...but I do know that there are many options for her future and we are going to explore those options together....she is a smart cookie. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 4:53:29 PM | OP..thankfully you have the net to do some searching before that appointment in 3 months. Geez. Wow ! I cannot wait to have socialized medicine in the US.
Get those questions ready! | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 5:01:53 PM | While Aspergers and Autism do have some negative aspects, such as the inability to form emotional connections, inability to read body language and facial expressions for example. There are plenty of things about it to encourage, and as a person with Aspergers myself I can tell you this:
Your child will be extremely knowledgeable about the subjects they want to persue, we have our own obsessions about certain subjects, I for example am obsessed with Engineering and Star Trek for instance and am studying for an Engineering degree. it will help them make a life for themselves. Although we struggle to make bonds with others we are not so bound to society and what it expects of us, we can happily go int our own world and don't need to notice all that goes on around us. Yes we will worry and get anxious a lot, but that's because we care about the thing we are worrying about, we want things to be right.
Besides, if your child has Autism and Aspergers don't look upon them as afflicted with something, but as someone who can claim to be a unique individual, who will stand out and perform brilliantly in what they choose to do, who can look at the world in a different way, people with Aspergers and Autism are arguably more sensitive and considerate people since we need to think twice as hard about how to act. they will need support from parents and schools and jobs, but it is all to help them settle in and feel a part of a community, and helps them to reach their potential. Our imaginations can range form limited to very active and creative, despite what that story your son mentioned about the bite and the animal, look at him as being creative, although make sure you remind him to tell you truth.
So make sure you encourage them, be understanding and research Autism and AS, help them to understand how they should and should not act while at the same time allowing them to be the unique individual they are, be gentle and supportive and you will see that us Aspies are capable of being our own people who can function in society just as well as any other.
I look forward to graduating in two years time :) knowing that for my family all that work they put into helping me paid off. I hope that you and your son will also be able to get the same kind of support and encouragement I got. Aspergers and Autism in my opinions are states of mind, we do not need to be cured in my opinion :)
Whatever happens, the best of luck to you both. I hope this Aspie's advice has helped you somehow. =) | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 5:04:11 PM | my eldest child was diagnosed as 'gifted' at around the age of 5, was found to be a couple of points lower than genius level... then was diagnosed with aspergers at the age of 16 - so he has autism and giftedness; both of which come with their own challenges...
my third child was diagnosed with PDDNOS - in the autism spectrum, when he was around 3 or 4 - but he had never spoken much at that point (didn't start to really talk until he was around 5), so didn't share that trait in common with your child... however, autism can vary greatly in how it presents itself and in the degree of 'severity' (or ' function')
it can be scary for a parent at first - entering a new world here-to-fore unknown - but try not to be too worried/put off by any diagnosis that your son may receive
- he's still the child you've known and loved before any diagnosis and will remain that same child after any diagnosis... the only difference will be that you may be able to receive more help and advice as to how best to help him achieve his full potential and in understanding any special needs he may require... and it will provide you with an explanation to share with others too, if they are concerned and don't understand why he may act a certain way
best of luck and joy to you both
edit: kudos, ckb! it's heartening to hear your story and about how well your life is going :) | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 5:17:24 PM |
edit: kudos, ckb! it's heartening to hear your story and about how well your life is going :)
Aww, thank you!  I went and PMed you without checking for the edit  But thank you all the same, kudos to you and your family for being able to rise about the challenges autism and gifted provides. The rewards speak for themselves :) | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 5:21:20 PM | You're wise to prepare yourself for the appointment by doing some research beforehand. And yes, do wrtie down some question you would like answered.
You will also benefit from taking notes at this meeting. It serves you well to keep track of the info you'll be receiving, For example, your understanding of your son's IQ score is a little confusing.
The man who developed the original notion of IQ suggested using the following scale for classifying IQ scores:
Over 140 - Genius or near genius
120 - 140 - Very superior intelligence
110 - 119 - Superior intelligence
90 - 109 - Normal or average intelligence
80 - 89 - Dullness
70 - 79 - Borderline deficiency
Under 70 - Definite feeble-mindedness
Please note that these scores are measured in POINTS, not percentages.
The normal distribution of IQ Scores across the general population, however, IS measured in percentages:
50% of IQ scores fall between 90 and 110
70% of IQ scores fall between 85 and 115
95% of IQ scores fall between 70 and 130
99.5% of IQ scores fall between 60 and 140
You might find it helpful to clarify whether your son's score is 99 POINTS (right in the middle of the range of 90-109 points for normal or average intelligence) or the 99 PERCENT you quoted (which places him within the range of any of the IQ classifications between 60 and 140 IQ points).
Knowing exactly what his score is and what it means can be an important guide in your decision-making in accessing the best supports available for your son's social and academic success.
Good luck to you both. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 6:25:49 PM | I took many online tests in the past (give or take 3-4 years ago) that are supposed to analyze whether or not you have a form of autism. I don't remember what sites I found these tests at, but everyone of them yielded "high" or "extreme" results. After a bit of research on the symptoms I have (e.g., block stacking, staring at a washing machine, fascination with flashing lights, anti-social behavior [which I'm slowly growing out of?]. I still have a hard time interpreting people's facial expressions. As for making eye contact while speaking to someone.. er.. I only do that to my girlfriend. I'm afraid to stare directly into other people; It feels awkward and weird. So do those count? Hahah.
I do acknowledge that online tests can be highly inaccurate and that I'd do better getting checked out by a professional, but someone with limited psychological experience contemplated that I had a form of autism when I was younger.
Still.. I'd like to know whether or not I truly have such a mental "illness", if you'd call it that. I've got a friend who's autistic and we get along perfectly. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 6:57:15 PM | OP~
My son was dx'd was Asperger's at age 5. If your son is on the spectrum my guess would be he sounds more Aspies than autistic. One of the main early detectors of autism is lack of language whereas Aspies tend to talk not stop and they have very vivid imaginations -- lol
My son is also gifted in music, art and language...his vocab has always been rated superior.
My son also had a a tic disorder which he has now out grown at age 12 but it was pretty bad when he was younger.
As for the spirits... look up indigo children if you are not familiar with them..... it is common with Aspies and gifted kids.
I could talk all day about this but will spare you
Feel free to email if you would like..... | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 9:10:06 PM | Until these children grow up .... and they can be evaluated as adults ... nobody knows... anything ..... !!
We are now dealing with .... a new phenomenon .... and have no clue as to what's going on ... as well as why ... and what is causing it !! | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/24/2009 9:24:03 PM | | lone haranger. nice chart but iq tests are often scored in percentiles, which measure the % that are below you. a 99 percentile puts you in the low 140's and above. when i was tested in grade school and high school, i almost always scored in the 98-99 percentile range. good on you mate for the chart and the bell curve.nice to see that someone came up with some real help. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/25/2009 8:57:52 PM | geeks like Bill Gates they say too.....not sure if that is true. - WesternWildRose
It is apparently true WesternWildRose, when my son & daughter were diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder, it was mentioned in one of the lectures/classes, for the
parents of newly-diagnosed children. With some help (a teachers assistant) & some speech therapy, my son is now doing well in school, he is now diagnosed with Aspberger's,
which is generally described as a "high-functioning" form of autism.
I have many websites & other resopurces that you might find useful. Drop me a line, if you'd like to chat. | |
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/25/2009 9:00:09 PM | ckb1989.....Thank you so much for sharing with me your own personal experience concerning Aspergers. I have done a little research now and find that it is more likely that my son my have AS rather than AU from what I have read.
Just for informations sake, the IQ result is taken from a "Composite Score Profile"...perhaps I worded it wrong! The CSP goes... Extremely low, Borderline, Low Average, Average, High Average, Superior then Very Superior. My son is at the middle of Very Superior.
Verbal IQ is 90%
Performance is 93%
Full Scale is 99%
ckb1989...You have opened my eyes as to what to expect and how best for me to handle this situation. Thank you and thank you to everyone else.
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| Autism...Is this possible?
Posted: 6/27/2009 7:35:47 AM | Autism is a neurlogical disorder and is complex. There are many red flags and one clear thing I recognized that I can suggest how to handle is the sucking of his shirt. That is a sign of acid reflux. A gastroenterologist will help in this department. My son has severe acid reflux and causes pain and discomfort creating children to be impulsive at times, well quite often. I suggest getting your son to a Developmental Pediatrician and or a Neurologist for a diagnosis. They are the ONLY two types of doctors able to diagnose. The pediatricians cannot diagnose Autism/Aspergers/PDD-NOS, RETTS, Fragile X Syndrome, and the list goes on.
A great website is Autism Speaks, Doug Flutie Foundation and I have information I can pass onto you if you so desire. I hosted an Autism Summit here in Massachusetts held a UMASS Dartmouth and have the results from that as well. Please simply message me if you would like further information. | |
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