Help with socially awkward son

Corelli

LandyAndy wrote: »

Then you don't know much. Asperger's is and always has been identified as an area of the autistic spectrum.

Actually DSM 5 has removed the Aspergers diagnosis. http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/12December/Pages/Aspergers-dropped-from-mental-health-manual-DSM-5.aspx

thriftyemma

Thanks you everyone for taking the time to read and reply to my thread. I have given lots of thought to your suggestions, as they have been really helpful.

I would like to avoid going down the 'autism' route, as at the moment I think any sociability issues he's having are not causing a major problem. I am not keen on DS having a 'label', especially if it is of no benefit, as I think this will make him stand out and be a target even more. It may be something to investigate in the future though.

The idea of getting him some turn based board games sounded brilliant. I've ordered junior monopoly and trivial pursuit for kids. We'll have great fun playing over the summer holidays. I think TP in particular will help him, as he will have to ask other people questions and then listen for the answers.

We have also introduced talking time at the dinner table. Each family member gets two minutes to talk about what ever they want. DS's face lit up when it was his turn, he couldn't believe he had everyone's attention! And I made sure he listened carefully when it was other people's turn.

I have also been gently encouraging him to take turns when talking, suggesting he let someone else talk, that kind of thing. I will keep going with this, and hopefully see an improvement soon. Thanks all for your help.

pollypenny

That sounds a wonderful strategy, Emma.

I'm sure it'll be something that the whole family can enjoy, as well as your son learning from it.

Too many labels around, anyway. Good luck.

ClarkeKent

He is a young lad with plenty of time to learn and grow. One of the "advantages" you have knowing he may have Aspergers, is you can concentrate on those traits and improve.

I face, at 38, the prospect of an Aspergers diagnosis. Would I have liked to know when I was younger? No, I think my life would have turned out different and it wouldn't have helped me knowing.

But now I know, I can understand why things were like they were and to focus on the Aspergers traits and put effort into overcoming/dealing with them. When it first dawned on me I may have Aspergers, it reminded me of a Zig Ziglar speech I heard many years before. On how the "environment" of a diagnosis can sometimes be detrimental. Whether that be aspergers or any other illness. You can hear the section of it here at 14mins in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9_zPs4uPeA&t=14m02s

There wasn't anyone diagnosed with Aspergers in the 80s, but many thousands will be in schools now. Whether it is a good or bad thing for those tens of thousands now or those currently in their 30s/40s is a difficult question.