New to board/ daughter with AS

Post Reply New Topic

Hi, I'm new here. My daugther, who is the only child and will turn four next month, was just diagnosed with AS by a developmental pediatrician two weeks ago. In fact, we sort of knew that she'd had AS from her speech pathologist since this past summer. They ran some tests on her along with interviewing us, the parents, and observations. And yeap, she had a mild case of AS.

We are still in a learning process of what is AS and how to deal with her. We need a lot of suggestions from WP people, because not only we don't quite understand how AS think (but trying to learn, though), but also we are foreigners, who are originally from Thailand (so, please excuse my English) but now live in the U.S. Both my husband and I went to schools in Thailand. So, we don't know much about the educational system, particularly from K up, here.

My daughter's interests are letters, numbers, computer stuff, and any kind of music. She was just able to play twinkle twinkle little star on her keyboard last week, after having practiced for a couple of days. Now, she attempts to play Beethoven symphony no. 5, her favorite composer and favorite song. She could read words before she turned two and before she could talk. Back then, she read stuff and used sign language to talk back to me. She had speech delay due to ear infections and velopharyngeal insufficiency (the latter could be corrected by surgery but according to her surgeon, she is probably too young to undergo such a surgery). Now, she can talk in sentences, but most of her speech are still echolalia.

She attends a special ed preschool, run by Mississippi state. She receives PT, OT, and SLP there. Her weakness is in proprioceptive and vestibular areas. She is fine with fluorescent lights and sounds, but not the sunlight.

I can keep going on and on about her. But I don't want to bore you all with her info. I'd appreciate any suggestions about how to parent an AS very much.

ok while i understnd you anxiety....there is a small step you need to take before asking blanket questions......


you need to realise that AS is a genetic and environemntal caused condition and it is often seen in either yourself or your childs father.

the reason i point this out..is....rather than ask a question about everything there is to know about AS....you may have someone who knows a lot of strategies on how to deal with AS allready living with you.

The more positive encouragment you give her, the better. Criticisim for mistakes never helped me to understand mistakes I made, it really helps more to explain why something is a mistake. All of that will help her self esteem later. As for school, I would suggest checking out the parental discussion forum. That's where most parents go for advice on helping their children with AS.

And as for your English, you speak it perfectly. Better than some people i know who have English as their primary language, to be honest.

If you decide to send her to a normal school like I went to, make sure you diligently work with the staff to find out what accomidations are best for your daughter. (I also have a mild case of AS)

That's all my advice as someone with AS. Head over to the Parent Discussion forum for advice from other parents of children with AS.

"Hello," Pom. Glad to see you on Wrong Planet. All the WP best to you and your daughter.

Thanks for your suggestions and your warm welcome.

You will want to check out the parent's forum. Your daughter sounds precious.

Whenever I pulled a social gaffe, when my mom could get me alone, she would explain what I had done wrong and why it was wrong.