The purpose of my blog is to allow myself to open up get it all out, and hopefully raise some awareness, of what I like to call "The Hidden Autism".
Let me take you back a few years, Zachary my son who is now 11 had some issues when he started Kindergarten, while he had always been in daycare or Pre K, the more structured environment of kindergarten was really difficult for him, he could not focus, get work done, even crawled under the lunch room tables. I asked his teacher to try some different approaches and to document every little thing. I did the same at home and finally took all of the information to the doctor. Zach was diagnosed ADHD, and started medication, as a different kid, he sat in his seat did his work it was a new beginning, we were all happy and thought that would be the end. Lord I wish I could say it was.
Everything seemed to be well until first grade, after speaking to Zach's teacher, he was once again distracted, by what she said was imaginary sounds, always fidgeting, making noises, spinning his pencil, I was so upset, one that it took her so long to tell me anything was wrong, and two why didn't I notice this. I took Zach back to the Dr. and they changed his meds, this time there was a small change, at least enough for him to function in school. I decided to post some of the things going on to my My Space page, and a friend of mine told me how her son was diagnosed with Aspergers, when I asked detail the word Autism popped up and I shut down. See in my head all Autistics were like well rain man, to me Autism was not my kid. I sure wished I had listened, I regret that one day of not listening more than anything in my life.
The next few years that conversation stayed with me but I pushed it way down, we switched out meds, tried different behavior tactics, and for the most part things went well. My biggest complaint at that time was his breakdowns, horrible outburst that came out of no where. At times he would even attack his little sisters, he would scream bang his head on the wall, just lose all control. I noticed he always said really inappropriate things and didn't seem to get different emotions. Not that he didn't know what they were, but for instance if you watched "Old Yeller" and cried, he just didn't get it.
By the fifth grade I noticed any friend he had no longer called, I never heard about them anymore. I drove by the school a couple of times during recess and he was always alone. Then we found out he was being bullied, by most of the kids. He came home with nasty letters, calling him names, pencil marks all over him, complaints of be pushed or hit. Kids calling him names making fun of his actions. It was a nightmare, and this time I knew, I had to bring up Aspergers.
The week before the doctors appointment i researched, had teachers take notes, really hoping to find a different explanation. The day of the appointment I presented the facts to his Dr. who then set up a referral with a specialist in Lubbock, in march, 2 months away.
In March 2010 my son was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, it is on the Autism spectrum, he is a high functioning Autistic. Why did I not notice it? All of the signs had been there, all along, I was blind, but most of all uniformed.
Long story short Zach had a horrible school year, summer was great and now he has started school at a new school, he is only 2 days in so here starts a new journey. He will get the MISD eval he never recived from his previous school, start his speech and AS therapies soon. I hoope you all join me for this journey, a journey through my awakening as a parent, as I learn maybe others will too.
Love,
Amber
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