DS & Autism

Just wondering if there are parents who could shed some light on a dual diagnosis of ds and autism (specifically aspergers)??

Sometimes I wonder if there is more going on with Jamie than meets the eye. She has a fair amount of socially unacceptable behaviour. We have always chalked it up to "behaviour is communication", but sometimes that just doesnt cut it.

I would hate to think that she has something more going on with her and that we are not recognizing it or getting her the supports she needs.

So.........if anyone can tell me in a nutshell........what lead you to believe your child had autism as well? Jamie is 6 years old. She has fairly good speech, can carry a conversation, can express most of her needs. It is the social development that seems to be the issue.

For example, we have been having bus issues so today we started a reward program for good bus behaviour. She did great until she was less than 1km from home. Then she started choking the boy she was sitting with (he is a friend of hers that she sees every day and knows very well), she was also biting on the hood of his coat. She would not loosen her grip around his neck. The bus driver says the boy was not doing anything to antagonize her either. The driver is awesome with Jamie, very patient, kind and accepting. Her and I talk by phone quite frequently, so the driver is not the issue.

Episodes like these are quite disturbing to me as they come with NO plausible cause.

Thanks

Sandy

Sandy - mom to Carter(8) and Jamie(6)T21