Good thread, SuperFemme.
Words- it sounds like your daughter has many strengths and good for her for not letting that therapist dismiss her.
I live with four differently abled children. They all have Asperger's Syndrome, which is an an autism spectrum disorder that affects social interaction. They also all have Sensory Integration Disorder.
The oldest at 16 has it most severely. He isn't very verbal and makes very little eye contact. Despite having a high IQ, getting a 2200 on his SAT's, and acing college level courses like physics and calculus, he can't do simple social tasks like make a phone call or order food in a restaurant.
My 11 year old has a mild case, although he has the most trouble in school because he's very loud and annoys his peers and teachers. One issue with Asperger's is the inability to comprehend appropriate voice modulation.
I also have six year old twin girls, one has a mild case and the other is more severe. One of the twins has a lot of health issues due to her Sensory Integration Disorder because she has such strong texture and taste aversions. Her oral defensiveness has made feeding very difficult. She is small for her age and I have to bring her to the Children's hospital every other week for IV fluids and an iron infusion.
The combined occupational, feeding, speech and language, physical, and social skills therapies for my children add up to many hours per week.
They're different, they're quirky, but they're mine and I love them.
