I started a thread a while back on this.

My son was just diagnosed with Asperger's (High functioning Autism).
It was a difficult thing to wrap my head around. But I am finding a wondeful community of support out there.

Even on here, we are up to three boys and a girl.

especially to the parents!

Today was the first time I have spoken with my son's school about what we need to do differently. I didn't realize how new and raw this was for me. I became very emotional and embarrased. I wasn't prepared when the conversation started with, "Now that we know what is wrong..."

rnljs said:

Please don't be embarresed that people say somethings wrong... be glad that your own fight is over and it had nothing to do with your parentingskills...I have the experience that I had to defend myself and my son all the time... that's over now. I'm not saying it's going to be easy.. just different and very learningfull! From now on you can protect yourself and your son because he's diagnosed...
I hope you understand what I'm trying to say here.. It's a bit difficult to write some things in Englisch ehen you have so much things to say in Dutch

If you want to talk... I'll be here for you!

rnljs said:

U have taken the first step and started to get the knowledge that is needed to help him grow in the areas that he needs ... on the special monday nite on discovery health they had a group of boys that were in their teens and they were working on thier social skills ... they all had aspergers.... i thought of U and ur son its hard when U first get the diagnosis and coping with it all... the more U learn the more he grow and others around U...

Thank you guys. I was embarrased at my crying. I am just not that emotional in public. Good news is that my son didn't really notice...lol...he doesn't read emotional cues very well. I just spoke with a center that does socialization groups for children/young adults with Austism/Asperger's. They are not sure if they can fit him in, and the cost will be a stretch for us, but it sounded like the perfect place for my son to learn and practice social skills and problem solving. He will turn 18 in Novmenber and hopefully be going off to college in a little over a year. Now that I understand he will not outgrown some of his eccentric behavior, I realize he needs to work on those skills. In a little while, I will feel in control, but today I feel drained.

rnljs said:

double check on getting assistance... if he has been diagnosed then he should be able to get funded to get what he needs for his development.. . U might have to do some footwork but it will be worth it in the end to make sure he gets the funding needed to cover what he needs... most of it should be federal funded

purplekisses said:

I will check on it. I have no idea. One more thing...

rnljs said:

I watched the Larry King special on autism and I wanted to fucking kill that skinnyass doc that they kept in the lower right corner of the screen when doing the "foursome". He was seriously suggesting that there isn't an increase in autistic people, that the reason there aren't as many autistic adults as there are children is that most of them grow out of it or that it becomes less noticeable as people grow up. WTF asshole! Face the facts and work to solve it you bastard, instead of playing ostrich. Motherfucker.

Teacher said:

I saw it too. I wondered how the families of severely Autistic children felt about hearing all Austic children can be cured. It didn't seem productive to take opposite corners.

rnljs said:

I couldn't believe it even - it was a horrible flashback to how homosexuality was looked upon decades ago, same reasoning. I mentioned this in last year's thread for this awareness month, that US healthcare will be so bogged down with caring for autistic people when their parents eventually pass on, it'll be a whole new crisis and with the ostrich tactics adopted by some "scientists" that will come as a big surprise.

Special love to Ivy.

OOOhhh i just love my autistic niece

on holidays i let her go into the room and turn this machine on and off because she loves the sound that it makes (Shhh mom doesn't like when i do this)

it's the little things that make all the difference

everyday is a new day that is for sure... i love the days that something outta the blue happens and she blows my mind

purplekisses said:

Seriously, being around Asperger/autistic kids is awesome cause they have a way of showing you a different way of looking at the world.

Teacher said:

makes me scared to think about it.

bluesbaby said:

Me too, to be honest. It's the very same reasoning they use when they say that the ratio of autistic people isn't higher in the US than in the rest of the world, for example Europe.... riiiiight. More people do get diagnosed with Asperger but that's because we just don't label them as "retarded" anymore, the de facto ratio hasn't changed.
I am really not making fun of this, only Yoda in "The Empire Strikes Back" comes to mind when Luke says he's not afraid... Yoda says "You will be....you WILL be." What kind of care, if any, will these people recieve when their parents pass?

much love to all of you who care for autistic children - i'm in awe of your strength and dedication.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

co-sign. I'm very moved by this thread.

There is a book I read a few years back called "Speed of Dark" by Elizabeth Moon. It is a science fiction novel where the protagonist is autistic. I didn't know this till now, but the author's son is autistic.

http://sciencefictionbiol...-dark.html

I was interested in working with autistic children for some time.

Sometimes I wonder if I had undiagnosed asperger's syndrome/high functioning autism for my whole life. I was always inhibited, had trouble communicating in groups and class and still struggle, as I find myself mumbling or it appears that way if I'm trying to talk in a group (it's mostly anxiety I think). I remember having obsessive little habits for a long time and being overstimulated by patterns, words, bright pictures etc and wanting to smudge them or repeat words over and over again when no one was around. I was in my own shell for as long as I could remember and would be yelled at for it, and was unempathetic towards peers although I was caring and touchy-feely with family and close friends, and I knew no boundaries and still don't sometimes and have to be redirected. I remember being in first grade and a child psychologist quizzing me on things, and I remember how easy it was and never heard back from them, so I wonder if the teacher thought something was wrong with me. I remember being yelled at for not looking the right way when things were being pointed out to me, though with logic and abstract ideas, I was okay.

Although I was always slow and repetitive with things, I taught myself how to read when I was 3, and how to use a musical keyboard and had perfect pitch and musical talent. I don't have a language problem, but I have trouble expressing myself all the time and talking, though I think that has to do with anxiety more than anything

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but a lot of it describes me.

Everyday when I look at Karissa she inspires me. She sees things so different as if she remains connected to something we aren't or not supposed to be. Her cognitive has become so incredibly strong and she is such a happy child. I am proud to call her my daughter. She is an amazing child.

Yesterday Im sitting and playing my guitar and Karissa comes in and grabs my drumsticks and drum pad and she's banging away. I ask her so you want to be my drummer and she laughs and said yes. For me its those little moments that drive me to be strong and keep going. My wife smiles at these moments because it's just a beautiful thing to watch when two people connect.
[Edited 4/21/09 7:20am]

alphastreet said:

You sound very much like a person with Asperger's. How old are you?

IAintTheOne said:

That is so sweet. I love the name Karissa. I almost named my daughter that. She ended up as Kiara.

we went to this event Sunday n cali... Wendy and Lisa were there and did a great job ... the Band from TV was great... it was a huge turn out for a first time event ...


http://www.heroesforautism.com/


a funny clip from the event

http://prince.org/msg/100/305565?pg=1

purplekisses said:

I didn't even hear about that coming up. So cool.

rnljs said:

i just happen to see a thread from a fellow orger from the UK and his sister is one of the artists that had her work shown there... cause i don't go in the music forums either so i didn't see the thread there i was glad that i seen it... there is a lot of great information on the Autism Speaks site and they have some free dvd series that you might be intrested in getting.. if you have not already looked there it would be a great start...

purplekisses said:

Where do I find the free dvd series?

rnljs said:

try this area... there is much more on the site... they have packets as well

http://www.autismspeaks.o...m_dvds.php

I work in Pediatrics and my employer just bought me an amazing book.

Preparing for Life-The Complete Guide for Transitioning to Adulthood for those with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome by Dr.Jed Baker.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/...1932565337

I just skimmed though it and it is very thorough, has exercises to attain social skills, and great advice on everything from dating and college to employment. I am very excited to read this!