Hi, mom of diagnosed 4 year old

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Hi everyone,

I found this forum while I was trying to figure out why my 3 year old could read, write, and do math...but was uncoordinated, and lacked social and emotional skills I was seeing in his peers. We underwent a year of testing, and now have a diagnosis of Aspergers. My little boy is such a gift...so bright, curious, and really very likeable. We also have lots of challenges, which I'm sure you're all familiar with. He doesn't really know how to play like other children his age, so friendships are difficult. He has lots of sensory issues that contribute to his difficulty in focusing and regulating his emotions. He doesn't handle transitions well, and listening to his parents is not one of his strengths But, I couldn't love him more.

I am the mom of three, a 4 1/2 year old boy (aspie), a 2 1/2 year old girl (very social, imaginative, and spirited) and a 3 month old girl. Needless to say, life is pretty busy in our house these days, and some days are pretty long. Life is a little easier since the diagnosis, since we are actually getting access to some resources...and the diagnosis helps so much in understanding what's going on for ds.

Our family is currently facing an enormous decision...whether or not to relocate from Canada, to Texas! DS will be starting school in the fall, and generally handles change okay with lots of preparation. But, it's very scary to think about leaving a school & medical system that we already know for one that we don't. Also very scary to think about moving to an area where we will not have family, friends, or babysitters!! !! I'd appreciate any advice people are willing to share, especially in terms of developing a support network in a new area, the school system in Texas, and medical services in Texas.

Thanks!

Shauna

Welcome to WP!

TIm

Greetings from Austin, Texas. Welcome to the WP party! Whereabouts in our neck of the woods are you thinking of moving?

Funny you ask... Austin.

what does ds mean?

I am also from a big city in Texas.

Hint: oil refineries all over the place, massive gridlock, domed stadiums that stand vacant for years...

Tim

We're rapidly approching gridlock too. Incredible how much this town has grown in the last 15 years. My commute to work is 8 miles and takes 35 minutes. When there's no traffic (like when I have to go in early) it takes 10 minutes to drive that same 8 miles. So either try to live close to where you work or work flexible hours (eg. 6am-3pm) to avoid the worst of the traffic.

Within the Austin city limits the best high schools are Bowie (southwest), Austin High (central Austin, west of downtown), McCallum (north central), and Anderson (northwest). I would recommend living in an area that feeds into one of these four schools, however houses in these areas will not be cheap. If that's not feasible, there's always the burbs. A lot of my coworkers live in Pflugerville, Round Rock and Cedar Park.

Feel free to PM me if there's anything specific you would like to know.

Hi Shauna,

Be sure to pop into the Parents section because we have a texas mom in there (although I don't know what part of the state she lives in) but she might be able to help you out.

Good luck with your move. I personally wouldn't leave canada unless I absolutely had to because I prefer the medical system here (I've lived in the US before) but I bet you'll be able to build a good network once you're there. My aspie is older so I think a move would be harder on him.