[laurat426]

Hello! I am actually a first grade teacher but was looking for answers on a family member of mine. She is 12 years old and is very bright, straight a's at a very good school, but she is very socially awkward. Her speech is very very behind, despite being in speech since a young child. Her verbal ability I would say is that of a 4-5 year old. She uses big words, etc. but her actual speech. Also, she is very socially immature. I feel like I am talking with a 5 year old, (someone younger than my first graders)..... I am very concerned as her parents had her late in life and coddled her a LOT growing up. They are in denial something is wrong, and I would love to have input as to what COULD be wrong.... I know it's hard to know as I am having trouble putting into words what's wrong with her, but thought i'd give it a shot. Was trying to google but I honestly wasn't sure how to google it because I'm not sure what to search for! Thanks in advance

[mom23kids]

I obviously don't have enough info..but have you googled aspergers? ITs high functioning autism and children with aps..are bright but socially awkward and have speech and language deficits. Just a thought.

[blueheron]

ideas and maybe not even then..... I just can't imagine that such a conversation would be met with anything but resentment. I know it is not your intention, but there is really no good way to tell parents that you have been searching the internet for what is wrong with their child.

[laurat426]

Thanks for your ideas, that sounds a lot like her..

I wasn't planning on telling her anything, it was just my own curiosity!

[trishg1]

Chances are her teachers are in the same dilemma. I have had 2 students in the last 2 years who I believe are aspergers. Both sets of parents are clueless- one set actually becomes defensive when something is suggested. "We know he is young, we don't want to hear that he is immature." Well, actually, I wasn't going to use that word at all. I wanted to list some objective symptomolgy and suggest that you consider researching it further, but if you insist on avoiding the conversation, I suppose I will continue to accomodate as much as I can. Hopefully she has good teachers that are in tune to her needs and will break it to them for you.