First off-does a child w/ AS seem fairly normal, with some relation issues (incl. lack of attachment and communication) and coping difficulties (NEVER skip a bath after dinner) that aren't obvious to others who aren't frequently around the child?

I have another person who strongly opposes an ODD dx for my son(3.5)-his speech therapist who has worked w/ children w/ the disorder .Beyond debunking that dx, I don't understand why it's better to dx AS early. My son is already in regular daycare-----with minimal difficulty-he's having trouble staying seated when he has to, and he's becoming more social, though he's a little "different" in his interactions and can't communicate very well-----and obviously speech therapy(through pub. school system). We can't afford much in the way of private therapy. From talking to the spec-ed director of the school system he has to be pretty seriously impaired to get any further help right now. I want an answer, but if we get one what then? Do we just sit on it until (and if) he develops problems when he starts Kindergarten?

As with any disease,early detection & treatment is the betterment of thier life later on...........

The reason to get an early diagnosis is because the earlier your child starts getting help the better off they will be. Childrens brains are not fully developed until the age of four so there is still time to correct a lot of the problems. I think you should read the book Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice. It saved my life. It is so hard to know what to do. This is a true story about a mother with 2 children with autism. Through early intervention both of her children are now indistinguishable from their peers. Both of her children started therapy when they were 2. I kept dragging my feet about what to do. My son's symptoms were so mild. He has always been able to play with friends and went to a regular pre-school. I thought he will be fine and I just need to give him some time. After I read that book, I knew exactly what I needed to do and my son is doing phenomenol. My son started ABA therapy at 33 months.

The more help your child gets the better their chances of adjusting in society as they get older.

I put Charlie into a regular Pre K setting last year that is NOT within the school system because we did not agree on placement. Last year, he excelled in that class. He was so HAPPY with the kids in the class, his teachers loved him to death, and he functioned with minimal difficulty.

This year has been a TOTAL nightmare since he started K5! We had more outbursts, meltdowns and problems with behavior in the first 3 months of this school year than we had the entire time he was in daycare and pre K.

Some of the situation has been resolved--getting him into another classroom away from the first teacher was the best thing that's happened this year--some things are ongoing, like getting work done and the hyperactivity factor.

On the therapies... I don't know where you are at, but look into getting SSI or a Deeming Waiver if you are in the US. They will turn you down FLAT the first time you apply, but appeal appeal appeal! Don't let the ball drop. Keep at them, we did and now Charlie's outside therapies are paid for along with other medical things.

One thing I've noticed about school therapies is that it's HARD to qualify for them. I know a 10 year old that the school is refusing OT for because he's "not disabled enough" This is a 10 year old that cannot write his own name! He receives outside therapies instead with a Deeming Waiver.

I hope this helps you some!
Carol

First off-does a child w/ AS seem fairly normal, with some relation issues (incl. lack of attachment and communication) and coping difficulties (NEVER skip a bath after dinner) that aren't obvious to others who aren't frequently around the child?

I have another person who strongly opposes an ODD dx for my son(3.5)-his speech therapist who has worked w/ children w/ the disorder .Beyond debunking that dx, I don't understand why it's better to dx AS early. My son is already in regular daycare-----with minimal difficulty-he's having trouble staying seated when he has to, and he's becoming more social, though he's a little "different" in his interactions and can't communicate very well-----and obviously speech therapy(through pub. school system). We can't afford much in the way of private therapy. From talking to the spec-ed director of the school system he has to be pretty seriously impaired to get any further help right now. I want an answer, but if we get one what then? Do we just sit on it until (and if) he develops problems when he starts Kindergarten?

While it is good to get an early diagnosis, it doesn't necessarily mean that will be correct later on. Mainly, it is just to give you a starting point in getting the help that he needs. My son is 7 yo and wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until 5 and Asperger's until 6. It really doesn't matter when you get the diagnosis as long as the school is meeting his needs. Last year, the school treated David as if he had Asperger's even though the diagnosis hadn't occurred. It is important he finally go the diagnosis because now he gets a little more help than he did last year with social skills. They work on him having conversations with other children in speech therapy. Also, having the diagnosis in the autism spectrum makes sure he won't slip through the cracks later on.