Sorry it took me awhile to come back to you. Shea is ok at reading body language and he is actually incredibly sensitive to picking up on how people feel - but then at other times he is like a bulldozer and life is very difficult. I guess with him it is all about how he is feeling at the time i.e. if he is stressed or in a situation that he doesnt like. He can be very difficult in dealing with as he can get on his high horse and it comes across as being overbearing and bossy and drives me insane. And once he gets an idea in his head then that is it - nothing will change that.
He can be very stressful when he is full on - but then he can also be very sweet. He deals really well with my little sister who suffers chronic depression and he is even getting her out of the house walking!! He is like those dogs who pick up when someone is about to have a seizure!! Shea picks up when people are mentally unwell or in need of a shoulder to lean and he gets them through it just by being there for them.
Shea doesnt have meltdown tantrums but you can see it bubbling away under the surface when he is pushed too far - he becomes like an angry brick wall and you know just to leave him alone until he comes out of it. It is way easier to cope with though than a major screaming meltdown.
As a little boy he was very sweet and kept up with his brother and sister but he definitely developed slower in some ways. He didnt walk until 16 months, learnt to ride a bike ages after the other two and we learnt that we couldnt push him to do these things because he would just refuse to even try then all of a sudden when he was ready he would suddenly do it.
I took Shea to a psychologist/psychiatrist in Hamilton for a diagnosis - she was lovely and she didnt even charge me for it. I have to say though that there doesnt appear to be a lot of help out there. Hopefully you will get a referral soon - are you going through the public system? Maybe you could try the squeaky wheel thing - the more you annoy the dr the better chance you have of getting a referral through.
The Dr you saw needs his head reading!! Why would people want their children to have a disability??? Because it is one and no matter how positive a spin you put on things - people with Aspergers have a really hard time of it. I wouldnt wish that on anyone.
There is a nz website - www.withyoueverystepoftheway.com - The Cloud 9 Foundation they may be able to help you get your son to someone for a referral earlier than what your GP can. When does your son start school?
12 Apr 2011, 1:52 pm
