Concerned mom needing insight

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This is my first post here and I'm just now coming to terms with all this, so forgive me if I ramble. I have an 8 year old son that I've always thought fell somewhere on the autism spectrum. He is very bright and articulate, but has some definite stimming behaviors-- wringing his hands, occasional rocking, and almost constantly touching his head and moving around. He is also always deeply fixated in one topic-- always having to do with science/engineering. He can engaged to talk about other things, but will always come back to his topic of interest.

I've never been overly concerned with these behaviors. My husband and I try to be patient and understanding, and have never really raised the issue with our dr. They've never really brought it up, I suppose because he had no language delay and we dint visit the dr terribly often.

However, now that he's getting older, I'm wondering if I should seek an official diagnosis. My husband and don't like the idea of "labeling" and just want to encourage him to be his own brand of normal. But he is having trouble learning to read and write well, so I'm a bit more concerned. I would like to know what others think. What has been helpful and is an "official" diagnosis necessary. I know I probably should have looked into all this long ago, but he functions well and doesn't have any real behavior issues like tantrum or aggressiveness. I just want to help him be as successful as possible. Thank you for any insight!

By all means bring this up with your family doctor or a pediatrician.

With regard to reading and writing delays, your son could be dyslexic, or may need glasses, or may need his corrective lens prescription adjusted. A surprising number of kids end up with temporary reading delays simply because the letters are a blur and the child isn't managing to communicate exactly what's going on. But nonetheless, bring this up with your doctor if you've not done so yet.

I'm afraid I can't offer much insight on this issue myself but take a look in the Parents' Forum http://www.wrongplanet.net/forum19.html I think you'll find a lot of people who went through this and will be able to offer more advice and support.

Welcome to the forum kalyco78!

Which country are you at? A formal diagnosis may or may not help him, health insurance, career opportunities......

Personally, I like the idea of total unreserved honesty in regarding to letting him know and sitting down with him regarding the difficulties he will face.

The formal diagnosis is neither here nor there for me personally.

If I needed financial or special assistance I would consider it but until that time arrives it is of little consequence.

I liked the way you briefly but concisely surmised your situation. Which indicates you are more than capable in educating him, your husband and yourself, regarding the subtleties of aspergers. Welcome

Thanks for the replies. We are in th US, and I had thought of potential insurance problems in the future. That's definitely a consideration. I do have plans to get his eyes checked. He's due for that any way. I plan to talk to our dr, see if they think we need to check further and just keep learning ways to help him. He, like all if you here, is uniquely special and I want to capitalize on that while helping him learn to cope with the world.

I'm really glad I found thus place! What a great resource and outlet for this community!

I think that you should get your son tested. You should also love and accept him.

I would say getting a diagnosis is not such a good idea. especially if he is 8 years old. 12 is a better age to get diagnoses because that is about the age when a kid can really understand it. He would probably benefit from knowing more about himself as a teen. and stimming and having a good interest sound ok. I would only get a diagnosis at this point if he actually starts causing trouble.