04-23-2007, 03:05 AM
Hi there...
I've been lurking for a while, and trying to take the plunge and post.
My son "Fred", 7, is being evaluated for Aspergers, which will take a while with our insurance, and I have a daughter, "Zany", 5, who is a visual thinker with serious sensory seeking and ADHD/SPD behaviors. Then an NT 2 yo, "Bear," who is almost unbearably charming and social.
I have been worried about Fred's behaviors since birth. He flapped his hands at fans, was hyperlexic, distant. But he did talk, and seems to care about us. He's normal, right? I only had in my head the caricatures of ASD, and didn't know much about Aspergers at all.
As I've continued to read about ASDs, I found there is much more to the story. Along the way, I realized how much Fred and I shared in common. : ) I now have a diagnosis from my therapist, an MA, so not "official," right? I thought everyone thought in pictures, ha ha.
At 38, I barely recognize myself from my awkward college years, and life before that, well, an unmitigated hell, as some of you have experienced, of teasing and isolation and confusion. I spent many years before now trying to understand and accept myself, when no one else would, so finally understanding HOW my brain works is a relief.
I also am happy to know how to better parent my kids, to help them feel loved and accepted for who they are, but also give them some skills for surviving!
I've been lurking for a while, and trying to take the plunge and post.
My son "Fred", 7, is being evaluated for Aspergers, which will take a while with our insurance, and I have a daughter, "Zany", 5, who is a visual thinker with serious sensory seeking and ADHD/SPD behaviors. Then an NT 2 yo, "Bear," who is almost unbearably charming and social.
I have been worried about Fred's behaviors since birth. He flapped his hands at fans, was hyperlexic, distant. But he did talk, and seems to care about us. He's normal, right? I only had in my head the caricatures of ASD, and didn't know much about Aspergers at all.
As I've continued to read about ASDs, I found there is much more to the story. Along the way, I realized how much Fred and I shared in common. : ) I now have a diagnosis from my therapist, an MA, so not "official," right? I thought everyone thought in pictures, ha ha.
At 38, I barely recognize myself from my awkward college years, and life before that, well, an unmitigated hell, as some of you have experienced, of teasing and isolation and confusion. I spent many years before now trying to understand and accept myself, when no one else would, so finally understanding HOW my brain works is a relief.
I also am happy to know how to better parent my kids, to help them feel loved and accepted for who they are, but also give them some skills for surviving!
.
