It can't be AS, can it?

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So, after speaking to my son's teacher today, I'm doubtful that that it can be AS that my baby has. He's 7 years old, btw. The teacher says that he is the smartest kid in her class, makes eye contact, has friends and doesn't seem to have any issues other than w/ homework or instances where he feels left out. Maybe I'm looking into this too deeply, but even his doc seems concerned.

The email I received from the teacher seemed as if she forgot which child is mine. She has told me earlier this year that she's allowed him to sleep in class, after having him start to break down when she woke him up once. She said he gets very frustrated & says his assignments are too hard & will start to get very upset, until she tells him that they're about to do something else, & then he'll finish the assignment in under 5 mins.

I'm so confused. What is going on with my baby.

Isn't it obvious? The kid sounds bored. Who wouldn't be if he can complete the assignment in 5 min.

Oh, there's no question that he's bored. I tried to talk to the school about placing him in "advanced" classes but they said he's too young. Boredom doesn't explain the other issues though.

I can think of plenty of parents I've met who have a kid on the spectrum that follows this pattern. It isn't an all-or-nothing sort of diagnosis. You should see a developmental pediatrician or neurologist and get a definitive diagnosis, if you haven't already - and make sure they go over the results carefully with you so you understand them.

Often, figuring out what's wrong and the best ways to respond to it are really helpful if you are a frustrated parent who feels like nothing makes sense.

I think it explains everything you've mentioned here.

Yes, it does. Today, his principal called me. I guess a couple wks ago, he moved a chair in music class. When she asked him to move it back, he broke down & when another kid tried to move it back, Jay shoved him. I don't know why he moved the chair, but he certainly didn't want it back where it had been. All his teachers have an arrangement; if he gets frustrated, they allow him to move away from everyone else & draw/etc to calm himself, often in the office. I'm so confused.

That sounds like me at the same age. I was bored to death and had difficulty with the other kids and draw—I wanted to be by myself.

I agree with momsparky: get him tested. Something is going on and it could be AS, or another thing.

I've already got an appointment scheduled for next week, so we'll see how it goes.

Who told you they thought he had AS to begin with? And why?
My son is 5 and is one of those kids who barely appears to be on the spectrum. He's been tested at school and is just right at the edge of being on the spectrum.

Anyway, he makes great eye contact with adults (unless he's having sensory issues), plays with is peers (though, very awkwardly... needs others to lead the play a lot of the time), struggles with certain fine motor tasks. He is also one of the smartest kids in the class and has near perfect behavior in class these days. To the casual observer, he doesn't appear to have traits of AS, but when you look closely, you can totally see it. It's about the quality of interaction with his peers and the complete unraveling when his routine is messed up, along with his sensory seeking behavior that really shows what's going on. Doctors who see him once in a while in their offices don't really see it, but most of the teachers he's ever worked with and anyone who has actually taken the time to do an assessment sees it.

Good luck figuring everything out!!