12-15-2007, 05:18 PM
My younger brother Paul is 17 now, and I'm 19. We only found out he had asperger's recently, about 4 years ago. We always noticed some strange quirks about him, but he was generally a happy, normal child.
It wasn't until my other brother Ben got cancer 4 years ago when we found out that Paul had asperger's. Ben was in and out of the hospital and so was my entire family. Paul reacted to the change drastically. He gained about 50 pounds suddenly, lost it, gained it back, etc. He also became more distant and day-dreamy. He's been the same way ever since.
After I found out he had asperger's, my parents encouraged me to read about the subject. I started to read a few autobiographies on the subject, but I was in an emotional state at that time and it made me too sad. I just recently started reading about it and now I, like Silence, am writing a paper about it.
I just couldn't believe how perfectly Paul fit (some) of the common characteristics. He took the Terra Nova tests and got 90s in Math and Science, but a 40 in English, specifically Language and Communication.
He focuses on games on the computer; he's quite obsessed. If we kick him off he gets very upset and sometimes violent. It's also hard to get a response out of him while he is playing.
Every once in a while when I would talk to him, he would ask if I was mad at him. Of course I wasn't! I just recently realized that if I smile and talk to him I get a more positive response.
He also does not ask for anything. When he is hungry, he'll simply punch a hole in the wall or something. Communication difficulties.
Anyway, I never understood what asperger's was until now. I regret that I didn't read about it earlier, but Ben died 2 and a half years after he was diagnosed and it was very difficult for all of us.
My major regret is that Paul only has a guide at school to help him. He doesn't attend counseling, but he takes meds to relax. He recently stopped because he's afraid he will get diabetes.
I wanted to say that I love my brother for who he is and he is a great person, asperger's or not. I wish he could express how he feels.
It wasn't until my other brother Ben got cancer 4 years ago when we found out that Paul had asperger's. Ben was in and out of the hospital and so was my entire family. Paul reacted to the change drastically. He gained about 50 pounds suddenly, lost it, gained it back, etc. He also became more distant and day-dreamy. He's been the same way ever since.
After I found out he had asperger's, my parents encouraged me to read about the subject. I started to read a few autobiographies on the subject, but I was in an emotional state at that time and it made me too sad. I just recently started reading about it and now I, like Silence, am writing a paper about it.
I just couldn't believe how perfectly Paul fit (some) of the common characteristics. He took the Terra Nova tests and got 90s in Math and Science, but a 40 in English, specifically Language and Communication.
He focuses on games on the computer; he's quite obsessed. If we kick him off he gets very upset and sometimes violent. It's also hard to get a response out of him while he is playing.
Every once in a while when I would talk to him, he would ask if I was mad at him. Of course I wasn't! I just recently realized that if I smile and talk to him I get a more positive response.
He also does not ask for anything. When he is hungry, he'll simply punch a hole in the wall or something. Communication difficulties.
Anyway, I never understood what asperger's was until now. I regret that I didn't read about it earlier, but Ben died 2 and a half years after he was diagnosed and it was very difficult for all of us.
My major regret is that Paul only has a guide at school to help him. He doesn't attend counseling, but he takes meds to relax. He recently stopped because he's afraid he will get diabetes.
I wanted to say that I love my brother for who he is and he is a great person, asperger's or not. I wish he could express how he feels.
