Well, I assume the condition you are asking about is Aspergers Syndrome. Marg is right, anything by Tony
Attwood is the "gold standard" so to speak. My oldest is an Aspie, and can be totally delightful. His social skills are definitely immature, but his brain power is out of htis world (when he chooses to use it). The most powerful thing I have learned about Aspies is that common sense is not so common to them. They have a really hard time with it, or at least the ones I know do.
Girls present Aspie somewhat differently, but there is literature that will tell you about that.
I would first try to get a solid idea of any sensory issues your child has. Clothing tags, foods, noises, whatever. A good occupational therapist can give you a full evaluation. Schools do provide this, but you have to really ride them.
I found wiht my Aspie that his sensory issues were such a problem that he just couldn't function in certain environments.
There is hope. My 15yo is now a fairly easy to get along with delight. He lives with my parents because he was very violent with us. But my dad, a newly retired jr high teacher, dealt with it so that somehow he learned that outbursts only get you tons of work. My son just participated in a community theater project and was well liked by all the kids, and the directors. He is forging new relationships with his siblings and husband and I.
You probably won't have to send your difficult child somewhere else to live. It all depends on the situation and the family. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and one of the best things also.
There is hope.
Aspies just are wired a bit differently than the rest of us.
Susie
