[QUOTE=CairoCarol]
This is a bit of an aside, and IANA child specialist, but I would wonder about the diagnosis of ASD from the way you have described the boy. One of the defining characteristics of Asperger’s (along with a tendency to obsess with a single subject in a cataloging-rather-than-insightful way, and inability to read social cues) is that Asperger’s kids talk talk talk talk talk.
Sorry, I’m not sure that is germane to the thread. But one does wonder about the overall care these kids are receiving, even if they did not have to experience the tragedy of their sister’s illness.
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Total hijack, but a good point. J’s symptoms are a dislike of touching (really bad when he was a baby), and a tendency in be in his own little world most of the time. Very smart, but lacking an ability to understand social skills. I have another cousin who’s 5, and exhibits the more “traditional” Asperger’s traits.
I’m always a little wary of an ASD diagnosis. It seems like the constant ear infections of the new generation. Not that I want to start that debate again… 