Reddit reviews The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

I don't know the kid so I can't say what's going through his head, but as an autistic adult I can tell you what these behaviours would mean if it were me in his position:

>So we just sit in the same room, not saying anything.

That's normal. You might think it's natural to have a connection and make conversation if you're sitting in the same room with someone, but that's not how he would see it. He's not ignoring you, dismissing you or afraid to talk to you; he's just doing his own thing, and you might as well be on the moon, for all he cares. Again, this isn't meant in a negative way. He's just hanging out, paying attention to his own whatever.

>When he does talk, his speech is terrible, to the point I can barely understand him and when I ask him to repeat himself, he gets super quiet so I can barely hear him.

He probably has trouble with speech. I can't modulate my tone of voice; it's always too soft or too loud and I tend to sound hurt or angry when I'm not. I had a speech delay and was severely hyperlexic as a baby/toddler, and although I can be eloquent in text, I don't speak very well. It's like being the opposite of someone who sounds intelligent when you talk to them, but as soon as they put pen to paper you realize they're virtually illiterate. I just don't speak well. Maybe he has the same problem.

>He sneaks around the house, trying to not make a noise.

Many of us are sensitive to sensory input. Maybe he just doesn't like noise. On the other hand, maybe he's used to having to sneak around so as not to attract his mother's attention. I wouldn't blame him for that.

> He doesn't do anything on his own, with out first being told. So if I tell him to get off the computer, he does, but then he'll sit there waiting for the next command.

Ouch. Please try REALLY hard not to be too hard on him for that one. Just go ahead and give him the next command. I'm a 32-year-old married woman with a child of my own, and I'm STILL like that. It's called executive dysfunction. I'm not trying to be difficult or lazy; it's just that the next move honestly doesn't occur to me. Cleaning the kitchen is a Herculean task for me, and we're buying a Roomba next week. :-/


All in all, it sounds like the kid could benefit from some therapy. If you can't afford that, then look into ways you can help him yourself. Start with learning about executive dysfunction and handling children who've been abused. Also, consider this book. It's not perfect but it's easy to read and might be a good introduction for you.

The ultimate book on Aspergers. The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/1843104954/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_InH9ub082RZ87
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1843104954/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_InH9ub082RZ87

What, specifically, do you want? Social skills? Relationships?

As a diagnosed aspie with 43 AQ points, I agree. You seem to have the traits(you do not have to have them all) and high functioning too. If you want more reading into it, I am currently reading http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Aspergers-Syndrome/dp/1843104954, mostly for fun. It tells how I could have been diagnosed during my childhood but nobody cared.

I used to believe I had Aspergers until I read this book It's an excellent guide, and after I truly understood exactly what Asperger's is, what the diagnostic process entails, and such, I think it's clear that I don't have it, which was useful information to have as well.

Ask your mom to become educated about autism:

I bought everyone in my family a copy of this book, and when I told them I had autism, I told them the best thing they could do for me was to read this:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Aspergers-Syndrome/dp/1843104954

I am not claiming that this is the perfect book, but it is thorough, and learning about and understanding your loved one is often the best thing you can do for them.

OK, this might scare him; and seems to be true:

Autism and aspergers seems to be cured / treatable with stem cell therapy.

Stem cells can be naturally obtained by getting pregnant (stem cells migrate from the baby to the Mother)
If your daughter is not otherwise treated, she might get better when she gets pregnant.

This literature does not support the above, but contains a review of many other treatments

including this handy one-page summary,

and another redditor recently recommended this