Yesterday we spent 4 hours at a place called the MIND Institute and they gave us a what we suspected would be his diagnosis. Now it is sort of like, where do we go from here. All the wondering and waiting is over, now we start on a new leg of our journey.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded to my earlier post asking questions. I am sure I will have more questions as time goes by!

You must feel very relieved. Take a deep breath though, as the fun has just begun. If you can work out a way to get into his head, you can have a great relationship with him.

Hang in there, James. We're here for you and your family. Let us know how we can help!

As you find out stuff, tell us. I have "asperger traits" but am not Aspergers -- whtever that means.

still don't know the answer to the question "So what?"

Originally posted by Wheel1975
As you find out stuff, tell us. I have "asperger traits" but am not Aspergers -- whtever that means.

still don't know the answer to the question "So what?"

It means that you have some of the difficulties of AS but not enough for a formal diagnosis.

Thanks everyone. Yes we are relieved in one sense and overwhelmed in another. I like your perspective Turdorose. We do need to have fun as a family and enjoy each other, how we are all created uniquely.

Hey Wheel, I have heard of people calling what you have as a Shadow of Aspergers, or Shadow ADD etc. I think we are still learning so much about the Autism Spectrum. I have my own theory that ADD may somehow linked or an offshoot of that spectrum. It seems like so many who have AS in their family also have ADD.

Thanks everyone for the support.

hiya my son is being tested at present for aspergers and ODD and ADD its kinda scarey just wondering whats the final diagnosis will be i am needing advice and information about what im gonna be dealing with as i dont really have a clue

Well floss...there's lots of info available online related to ADD, ODD and Aspergers. I can suggest a few places to look, if you like...then we can discuss any questions you may have?

Or...You can just ask away right now :)

hiya big my son self harms also by banging his head off of walls/floors and he also bites his arms he thinks everybody hates him and is so defiant its unreal its really getting me down and i dont know what to do or who to turn too i was wondering if there is anywhere in the uk where i can go to get support or info about these problems my son is having

Floss...how old is your son?

my son is 7 and will be 8 years old in august

hiya big my son self harms also by banging his head off of walls/floors and he also bites his arms he thinks everybody hates him and is so defiant its unreal its really getting me down and i dont know what to do or who to turn too i was wondering if there is anywhere in the uk where i can go to get support or info about these problems my son is having
Things can only get better i hope................

Ok. I have some links to resources on self-injury...but mainly those are targeted at people older than your son (i.e. can comprehend what they're reading at an adult level)

I don't want to assume, but have you talked to his doctor about the self-injury?

Here's a couple of UK-based Self-Injury websites...
http://www.siari.co.uk/ http://www.lifesigns.ukf.net/ http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc.asp?doc=549

I would encourage you to continue to talk about it here, Floss. Were here to support you and your son :)

ty i appreciate it im just finding it hard to deal with right now the drs know he self injures as do most ppl i hate to see him do it and see the marks hes leaving on his body it makes me just wanna grab him and hug him real tight and other times just walk away and cry

i think about.com (http://autism.about.com/) is a *great* source for information on autism. the woman who's in charge of the information on autism (her name's Adelle Jameson Tilton) has a son who has autism.