Any parent out there who has a child with Aspergers/Bipolar disorder?

I would like to know if anyone out there goes through what I do with my child who has these disorders. I feel like I'm going crazy...I cant sleep at night all I think about is what I can do to help him and I'm out of answers. He's violent towards me...he's only ten and he's so strong i cant hold him down anymore...He does not listen to me what so ever...Everything I say to him throws him into a rage...He's been to school after school because nobody can handle him...What can I do...I feel lost and alone. If somebody could give me one ounce of hope it would be greatly appreciated.

My husband and I feel your pain. It can be so difficult when bi-polar is mixed with Asperger's. Your child can misunderstand things so easily and then the mood swings just make things worse.

What I can tell you is this - 1. Get to a good family therapist and support group ASAP. They will help you. 2. Know that this is a very tough age, but sometimes they calm down in their mid to late teens. I remember our son overturning desks and being very irritable and rebellious in middle school, but once we hit high school, he matured a lot and copes with his disorders much better.

You're in our thoughts.

Is your son on meds.? If he is, he is obviously not on the right combo or they are not strong enough. Maybe you need to change pediatricians. IF all else fails, (I know this would HAVE to be a LAST resort) there are living centers for those with these problems. They are not institutions, they are actual homes, where trained loving people help those with these problems learn to function in the world. It is very hard to admit that you cannot give your child what he needs, but sometimes that is the best thing. I cannot imagine being in your shoes. I do have family that have been there and it was heartrentching, but in the end it was a very positive thing for all of those involved. Good Luck

For what it's worth a co-worker has that diagnosis.. Sometimes he goes on about motorcycles for too-long (his preoccupation) so we kid him about it & he just laughs ( "there I go again")..it's not an affliction...he is recognized as one of the most competent & capable engineers in the group! Another co-worker has a child w/ the same diagnosis...this is an excerpt from an email she sent me:

Einstein & Leonardo Da Vinci supposedly displayed symptoms, & even Bill Gates is rumored to have Asperger's Syndrome - if you ever watch him speak you will notice a certain "wooden" expression and a flat, monotone affect. But with his intense focus and one-pointed interests he certainly did not do too badly for himself!! In fact, Microsoft Corporation is rumored to be FULL of engineers and computer "geeks" with Asperger's Syndrome. Santa Clara County, home to Microsoft Inc., has the highest rates of autism in the country - 1:150, or one child in every 150. Children with Asperger's Syndrome naturally gravitate towards careers such as engineering and computer science, and parents with Asperger's Syndrome are more likely to have a child with an autistic spectrum disorder.
Unlike children with autism, children with Asperger's have an extremely good command of language and a very rich vocabulary. This often makes them seem like "little professors". However, children with Asperger's Syndrome can become isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. Other markers for Asperger's include a history of developmental delays in motor skills such as climbing playground equipment, holding a pencil, or riding a bike. Many also have anxieties, fears, and phobias, and in the teenage years they can be prone to depression.

Many of these characteristics can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills, and with biomedical approaches such as nutritional therapy, targeted supplements, etc. So although it is more challenging, children with Asperger's Syndrome can and do have relationships, careers, families, and happy and productive lives.

I dated a girl w/ bi-polar disorder...she tried Prozac, etc...what worked best was she got really into painting & was almost too-busy to have the symptoms...I think this can happen if they get into something they're really passionate about. The right meds make the difference but w/ any medication it's usually process of elimination to find the right med/dosage. Forgot to mention she got heavy into helping at an animal-shelter, too.

Yeah, you got your work cut-out for you, but 10 is the acting-out age for either diagnosis...stand-tough..you'll get through it.