he approach I have taken with mine has been of "let's pretend he does has it... what can I do for him?" So I address his "issues" with occupational therapy for his sensory problems, consistent discipline, and will soon start social skills class, etc.
I have started thinking this way, too. I recently bought her some books on social skills and we have been doing more explicit talking about this, to the point of making a list of social "rules" for her to study. How did you find your son a social skills class?
As soon as I see a baby walking or talking earlier than normal or a child with advanced early skills, I am automatically expecting some degree of AS symptoms later in life.
Really--you think? I guess I would say that I see a significant subset of gifties who look kinda ASD in one way or another, but I also see some who are socioemotional leaders and very confident. My DS is probably also gifted, but lacks DD's quirks. The only thing that someone might point to is his prodigious ability to memorize, which he shares with his sister. He does quote books at length, but it's less script-y than it was with his sister. He clearly comprehends what he's repeating...with DD at this age, I wasn't so sure.
I do agree, though, that the spectrum is very broad--much broader than usually recognized. My official line on DD used to be that I thought her to be at the far gray edge of the spectrum--not diagnosable, but with some traits. But then I start to question that.
Of course, yesterday DD had a playdate with a new friend who is a good match for her (sweet-natured, imaginative, emotionally "young" though also 7) and they played absolutely beautifully for hours with no issues. This is the way our life goes--she will look really out of step one day and completely typical the next.
