This is a Journal entry by Zarquon's Singing Fish!
Probably but not definitely
Zarquon's Singing Fish! Started conversation Apr 18, 2007
I took little to the Community Paediatrician on Monday afternoon. A lovely Scottish doctor, four days away from retirement. Apparently my lovely Egyptian GP had written a long letter to him asking him if he could fit let in to see him before he retired. We had quite a long chat. Initially all the focus was on let and it was some time before he spoke directly to me. He had him to some copying of line drawings and a picture of me, then some balancing on one leg. He said that we would talk in circumlocutions in front of him and after a while sent him out of the room so that we could chat more freely.
I was told that he probably was somewhere on the autistic spectrum - the main thing I think was that he didn't maintain eye contact - and that he would refer him to a speech and language therapist. He should get an appointment reasonably quickly and then we'll see the rather nice young Indian doctor who will be taking over from him.
It was encouraging that the doctor thought highly of the school he presently goes to and to our own GP. As far as I can tell, let is in the best possible hands on both counts, which is encouraging.
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Also Ran1-hope springs eternal Posted Apr 18, 2007
Absolutely thrilled to hear this news. And that he is in safe good hands.
Very much to you both
Christiane AR1
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Zarquon's Singing Fish! Posted Apr 18, 2007
I'm pleased that there appears to be something that can be done to help him. I'm told that ASD can't be cured, but that people can be helped to cope with it. They need to be taught stuff that comes naturally to other people. Like, for instance, that maintaining eye contact means 'I think you're important' to the other person.
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websailor Posted Apr 18, 2007
It sounds as if you are getting some sympathetic responses which at the moment must mean a lot.
I have a friend with Aspergers Syndrome and he does maintain eye contact but with no expression whatever. It is most disconcerting. I know others who make no eye contact whatever, so it sounds as if little is only marginally affected by whatever it is.
Isn't it strange that in our culture eye contact is regarded as important, good manners even, yet in other cultures it is seen as insolent or bad manners.
with further progress anyway. He is so lucky to have such a caring Mum.
Take care,
Websailor
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frenchbean Posted Apr 18, 2007
I'm delighted, ZSF And in my book, you can't beat a good Scottish doctor
Do you feel reassured simply having confirmation that the let is in the autism spectrum? Now you can work out things to do to make his life easier (and yours). I hope you continue to get good support - it sounds as though the next doctor is up to scratch as well.
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Zarquon's Singing Fish! Posted Apr 19, 2007
Hi Websailor
Do you know, little 's not maintaining eye contact hasn't been a big issue for me, although I've noticed it in him - 'Look at me when I'm talking to you!' I think his wonderful smile more than makes up for it.
Another thing that I've noticed is that often he will interrupt at the most inconvenient times to ask me to do something for him or to share a piece of information. When I asked him if he did it on purpose or if he simply didn't notice that it was an inconvenient time, he told me he didn't notice. Examples are while bending down and taking something hot out of the oven, or whilst on a ladder reaching for something. I've agreed to tell him it's not a good time to ask me things.
I suppose the other thing is that he will often start a conversation in the begining and expect me to know exactly what he's talking about. Often I do, as I know him well, but other people would find it difficult to know what on earth he was talking about. His usual subjects of conversation are things like Doctor Who and Star Wars.
Hi Fbx7 Do I feel reassured having confirmation that little is in the autistic spectrum. In one way yes - if there's a problem, then it's good to have it in the open so that he can get help. I don't think that anyone like to hear that their child is different (unless different in a good way). Listening to Stephen Fry on 'Shrink Rap' last night, I see that he had problems in school and these days would have been diagnosed with ADHD. And he has such talent, but he'd not really happy in his skin. I wonder how different things would have been for him if he'd had help early on. Would he have been as successful? I'm imagining he would have been much happier. Mind you, compassion comes from a place of suffering.
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