Help! Just been told my 13 yr old dd has get Aspergers syndrome & anorexia

[jamiesmom]

Hi my 13 yr old dd has just been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome as well as having anorexia Not been told anything much apart from doctor's trying to get her into a clinic in London for the anorexia and i've got to go to a parents help class in sept for the aspergers syndrome. Can anyone give me any advise on either problem please as i'm at my wits end right now. Thanks

[BreeVanDerCampLGJ]

So sorry you had to post this, you may get more help re the Aspergers if you post it in the SN section.

[Whizzz]

Bump for you - maybe also have a look on the Special Needs board for advice. There is quite a bit of online info on Aspergers. Luke Jackson (a teenager with AS) has written a couple of good books on life with AS from an AS point of view

[jamiesmom]

Thanks for your quick response. I've posted on special needs as well but thought i'd post on here cos a lot of teenagers have eating disorders. I'll look out for the books by luke Jackson. Thanks

[professorplum]

Sorry, can't offer any help except to say I heard from a mother with an anorexic dd that anorexia can be an expression of aspergers. i.e. in the way that a boy with aspergers may know everything about dinosoars or rocks, a girl may know everything about calories.

[cluelessnchaos]

Not an expert on this at all, but my mum suffered from bulimia and anorexia, she had some contact with a group called the Eating Disorders Association, I hope it can be of help.

[Niecie]

Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. No wonder you are at your wits end. It is a lot to take in and deal with in one go.

My son has AS and when we were getting a dx everybody recommended we read the book by Tony Attwood called "Aspergers Syndrome: A Guide to Parents and Teachers". It is a good overview. Take a look at the NAS website as well. You might find more information on there and there is a section on there specifically aimed at adolescents so your daughter might find it useful.

I hope you manage to get a place in the clinic soon - the aspergers can wait but the anorexia needs to be sorted. Good luck.

[NineUnlikelyTales]

Sorry to hear about your DDs problems. You might find it helpful to look at this website here which has a lot of information for friends and family of eating disorder sufferers).

[jamiesmom]

I've heard that the two problems can be conected, don't realy no if that helps as ASD can't be cured. I weighed Jade again last night & she's lost another 4 lbs in 5days (I have to weigh her every 5 days & put it in a diary along with everything she eats, which she hates) how can you lose 4lb in 5 days when you are only 5st 8lb to start with???? It broke my heart but i try'd not to show it & said something realy lame like "oh thats not to bad, you've only lost a bit" Something to do with her only eating 2 tiny bites of a sandwich & 1 nibble of a piece of pizza Friday i'll bet!
NineUnlikelyTales & Niecie I'll take a look at the websites, thanks.

[NineUnlikelyTales]

jamiesmom is she still drinking? Sometimes anorexics restrict fluids, even water which has no calories, to lose weight. It is very dangerous

[jamiesmom]

Yes she is still drinking, just not eating