Comments on: How Learning About ‘Different’ People Can Decrease Ignorance

By: Persistence Unlmtd

Persistence Unlmtd — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:13:36 +0000

My wife and I didn’t know we had a problem........ http://bit.ly/czOYZ

By: Brad Isaac

Brad Isaac — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:48:22 +0000

I like Sack’s work too, but hadn’t heard about that book. I might have to check it out. Although, I must admit, I walk past a pile – yes PILE of books about Aspergers books in my house every day. These were given to us by family and friends. I’ve got a lot of reading to do.

By: Shelley Rivers

Shelley Rivers — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:01:11 +0000

My oldest has Asperger’s. He was odd from infancy, and now he’s 16. Smart, articulate, a creative thinker wih a twisted sense of humor, but socially awkward in the extreme. Not a good fit in high school. Methylphenidate really helped him when he took it, not just to focus on schoolwork, but also, to focus on social cues. His non-custodial dad was very opposed to medication, and successfully convinced him to stop taking it several years ago, which was devastating academically and socially. He’s agreed to take classes independently this year, but refused to go.

Now I am preparing to be a high school teacher and spending time in his old school, I can easily see the challenges he had there. Everyone using whiteboards, with lights glaring off them. Teachers who write too small, who cover all the vertical surfaces with posters and notes and expect kids to find their assignments written there somewhere. Kids who are noisy and disruptive incite the ones without good judgement, easily. Chaos in the hallways through the day’s multiple transitions. A daily schedule that is different every day. No wonder kids have trouble more often, and no wonder he felt like he was drowning.

I have learned a lot that I will carry with me into teaching, from raising this kid (and his younger sibs). A lot about what we assume when we assume an absence of disability, becomes apparent when you’re spending your time with these kids. But the biggest lesson, which has nothing to do with disability and everything to do with humility and insight: Why am I still doing this if it doesn’t work?

You’re the expert on your kid, whichever labels he ends up with. You know and will learn what works for him, and you’ll have to bust ass getting teachers in line with that and keeping them there. You’ll have to watch him because he won’t know how to express himself so you understand, and he’s going to feel lonely and crazy as he realizes he’s different. You will most of all teach him to accept himself, for what’s “normal” and what isn’t, and how he can work with his limitations and abilities to be happy and independent.

Best of luck. You’re on your way!

By: David

David — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:45:39 +0000

Has anyone suggested “An Anthropologist on Mars” by the neurologist/author Oliver Sacks?

Sacks is one of my favourite authors and he is also a physician. He writes a lot about autism and a number of the chapters/stories in the above book are about high-functioning autistic people.

I wish you and your family much good fortune as you now embark upon this journey. There is so much awareness today that I hope you find a path that suits you and your son.

By: Brad Isaac

Brad Isaac — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:30:21 +0000

Debora, I appreciate your thoughtful post. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Things you said ring true for us too. The mimicking – even if mimicking a 3 year old is so frustrating. But on the other hand, some of his theories on space and physics are astounding.

By: glendagable

glendagable — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:28:59 +0000

I just saw this after looking at your great How-to on binding books

http://persistenceunlimited.com/2006/03/fun-and-easy-how-to-guide-to-binding-your-own-paperback-books-at-homefast/

I have 4 boys but our second boy was the one with true Autism/Asperger’s, we noticed the echoing of people and disney movies when he was 2 but it was a mother of a child already in early school intervention that told us to have our son evaluated. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known there is a disorder such as Asperger’s. I’ m really glad you wrote this and put in the Autism Awareness Month info. Here’s a few other links
http://www.autism-society.org
http://www.autismspeaks.org/

My other 3 boys have Attention Deficit and although more aware of social rules, they still struggle with predicting consequence (same mistakes, etc) so I wonder if there’s a link. My husband and I made a joke when we first met, how we had the same problems in school, girls were handled differently than boys, boys were “trouble makers”.

I’m glad you posted this so others may know there’s help and children like ours have a great chance for a productive life. My son is now a high school senior and has already enrolled in a local college for Computer Design, great test scores, he’ll be commuting from home. The other boys are harder to get through school because routines work so well with Asperger’s kids, ADHD kids are hard to get into routines.

Thanks again,
Glenda

By: Deborah Schmerda

Deborah Schmerda — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:28:44 +0000

Brad, Our prayers are with you and yours as you travel on this journey. I am coming late to the game. I married a man whose brother, Bill, has autism, knowing that once his father passed away, Bill’s care would pass to us. Seeing as how my husband’s grandfather was 101, I figured we’d be retired when that time came and we’d easily integrate Bill into our lives. My husband’s grandfather passed away two years later, as did his father (both due to illness). Bill, who is now 47, has a sweet heart, and I so wish that he had had the opportunities your son has. I’m certain that a more focused regimen and different educational tools would have brought him further up the spectrum. My husband’s parents did an awesome job with Bill (his mother passed away over a decade ago), given the dearth of information and educational opportunties in the early 60′s. He dresses himself, is very compliant and can entertain himself literally for hours building puzzles and flipping through magazines. Since living with us, he has learned to no longer be afraid of cats and small dogs, to say please and thank you (being from the South, it’s something upon which I insist), to look at people’s eyes when he talks to them. He still tends to mimic, still stims, uses the same “scripts” over and over; he is still autistic, but we celebrate every small improvement, as he is still learning and working at integrating into “normal” society. The earlier autism is diagnosed the better; kudos for being alert to possibilities, for continuing to search for answers. Do everything you can now; I’m certain your efforts won’t go unrewarded. Have a fabulous week. Never give up.

By: Brad Isaac

Brad Isaac — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:03:41 +0000

Thanks. Autism is many layered and complex. So I don’t feel like I have a lot of insight. I still have plenty to learn – and feel I’ll never stop learning about it.

But for now, simply knowing has helped. Now we at least know we have options. Before, we were trapped in what seemed like an unsolvable problem.

By: B. Riley

B. Riley — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:29:56 +0000

While this is difficult for anyone in your shoes, I do find it amazing how much insight you now have into how this affects your son. I am sure that makes daily life much easier than before.

I can only hope that everyone in this situation can develop the same level of understanding.

By: Reisefreund

Reisefreund — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:50:57 +0000

Very interesting story, i wish you good luck in ur future.