Neurodiversity

christie · 02-08-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semantics

I was just listening to that interview.

John Elder Robinson said something similar in Look me in the Eye. He explained that he didn't learn how to express emotion until he was in his forties. Robinson actually mentions Temple Grandin in his book, saying that she experienced a similar evolution.

My oldest (16) is in intensive social training and one of the things he studies is understanding body language and facial expressions. If it works and he can eventually do this, I imagine that he will feel differently and closer to "normal", as Grandin and Robinson mentioned.

I know that it can be annoying to hear people talk about being normal (and I have to say it does make me

a little, too). It implies that anything other than typical is wrong or bad, but I've tried to adjust my thinking about it. My children are unique and I love them as they are, and I don't have them in therapies because I expect them to be "fixed" -but because if it helps them live an easier life by having the ability to understand other people, and appropriate social behavior, I'm all for it.

Bratboy is now 16 and has learned to navigate social cues, body language, voice inflection and all the other things in nonverbal communication pretty well.

I rue the day that he mastered sarcasm. Now, he says something wise-assed and drips, "THAT, Mommmmm, was sarcasm."

Oh goodie.

Semantics · 02-08-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christie0918

Bratboy is now 16 and has learned to navigate social cues, body language, voice inflection and all the other things in nonverbal communication pretty well.

I rue the day that he mastered sarcasm. Now, he says something wise-assed and drips, "THAT, Mommmmm, was sarcasm."

Oh goodie.

It feels weird to say that I'd love to hear sarcasm from my teenage son.

christie · 02-08-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semantics

It feels weird to say that I'd love to hear sarcasm from my teenage son.

Or that something is a cause for celebration in age-appropriateness... like surfing internet porn.

Semantics · 02-08-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christie0918

Or that something is a cause for celebration in age-appropriateness... like surfing internet porn.

Before I had children I never imagined that I'd rather see porn on my son's computer than a bunch of highly ordered links on accelerator physics and whatever synchrocyclotrons and isochronous cyclotrons are.

He did tell his therapist that he is interested in dating at some point, and that he would take his date to a movie so that he didn't have to talk much.

Andrew, Jr. · 02-08-2010, 02:09 PM

My godchild...she is 14 yo. And yes, she took nude pictures of herself, and posted them online for all to see. Within 3 hours of doing this the State Police and the FBI were at my Godmother's home. My godchild had to explain to the State Police and the FBI what was going on.

Next she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Now we have to wait to see what charges she is going to be charged with, plus hire an attorney. And how we are going to pay for all of this...God only knows. This will stick with my 14 yo godchild forever, per both the FBI and the State Police. I just shake my head.

So please watch what your kids are doing online. It really is a nightmare. And whatever you do, do not let them watch porn online. If they get caught, their name and porn will always be associated with each other. Jobs are hard enough to find, and to have that label attached to your name, can you imagine how tough it will be then? As far as I am concerned, my godchild just blew away her future.

christie · 02-08-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semantics

Before I had children I never imagined that I'd rather see porn on my son's computer than a bunch of highly ordered links on accelerator physics and whatever synchrocyclotrons and isochronous cyclotrons are.

He did tell his therapist that he is interested in dating at some point, and that he would take his date to a movie so that he didn't have to talk much.

Amen! and the taking her to a movie is JUST precious!!

violaine · 02-09-2010, 10:20 AM

"... "people in our society identify too strongly with what they have, including how they look." Such insecurity-based pride really is at the basis of many of our defensive/hostile reactions. ... "

"... Focus -- I can focus for so long I forget to eat some days. Once I'm on the net researching new data, forget it. My stomach growls and I may or may not interrupt my research to shut it up. I'm not sure I ate yesterday, I'm trying to remember..."

"... I, and others, don't feel that Asperger's is a disorder. I feel it is a neurological difference. You can SEE the difference on a brain scan. We are literally hard-wired differently than a neuro-typical person... "

"... What can't be discounted, or so it seems to me, is that one person's experience of living in the world is one person's experience of living in the world, and perhaps the best we can do is tell our own experience honestly while listening to others with sensitivity, compassion, and occasional insight rather than passing judgment...."

http://jerobison.blogspot.com/2009/0...aspergers.html

running with scissors/a wolf at the table/robison's brother:

http://www.augusten.com/site/index.php

Andrew, Jr. · 02-09-2010, 11:32 AM

Dearest Belle,

: smladybug:

When I am thinking or doing something, I never remember to eat, or take my meds, or do whatever I am suppose to do. I just get caught up in the activity I am doing. I have to write down lists every day. I have to have a priority of what I am doing and for how long, etc. If I don't, then forget anything that has to be done.

I have a yellow post-it on my front door that reads:
1. Turn off the coffee pot.

2. Make sure all the furkids are inside with toys, food & water.

If I don't then everything goes to he** in a handbag in a heartbeat.

You are so not alone in that. I am right there too.

Love,
Your brother, Andrew

02-08-2010, 02:09 PM	#5
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Parenting My godchild...she is 14 yo. And yes, she took nude pictures of herself, and posted them online for all to see. Within 3 hours of doing this the State Police and the FBI were at my Godmother's home. My godchild had to explain to the State Police and the FBI what was going on. Next she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Now we have to wait to see what charges she is going to be charged with, plus hire an attorney. And how we are going to pay for all of this...God only knows. This will stick with my 14 yo godchild forever, per both the FBI and the State Police. I just shake my head. So please watch what your kids are doing online. It really is a nightmare. And whatever you do, do not let them watch porn online. If they get caught, their name and porn will always be associated with each other. Jobs are hard enough to find, and to have that label attached to your name, can you imagine how tough it will be then? As far as I am concerned, my godchild just blew away her future.

02-09-2010, 10:20 AM	#7
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	"... "people in our society identify too strongly with what they have, including how they look." Such insecurity-based pride really is at the basis of many of our defensive/hostile reactions. ... " "... Focus -- I can focus for so long I forget to eat some days. Once I'm on the net researching new data, forget it. My stomach growls and I may or may not interrupt my research to shut it up. I'm not sure I ate yesterday, I'm trying to remember..." "... I, and others, don't feel that Asperger's is a disorder. I feel it is a neurological difference. You can SEE the difference on a brain scan. We are literally hard-wired differently than a neuro-typical person... " "... What can't be discounted, or so it seems to me, is that one person's experience of living in the world is one person's experience of living in the world, and perhaps the best we can do is tell our own experience honestly while listening to others with sensitivity, compassion, and occasional insight rather than passing judgment...." http://jerobison.blogspot.com/2009/0...aspergers.html running with scissors/a wolf at the table/robison's brother: http://www.augusten.com/site/index.php Last edited by violaine; 02-09-2010 at 10:23 AM. Reason: want to add something else = story of my life! ;)

02-09-2010, 11:32 AM	#8
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Dearest Belle, : smladybug: When I am thinking or doing something, I never remember to eat, or take my meds, or do whatever I am suppose to do. I just get caught up in the activity I am doing. I have to write down lists every day. I have to have a priority of what I am doing and for how long, etc. If I don't, then forget anything that has to be done. I have a yellow post-it on my front door that reads: 1. Turn off the coffee pot. 2. Make sure all the furkids are inside with toys, food & water. If I don't then everything goes to he** in a handbag in a heartbeat. You are so not alone in that. I am right there too. Love, Your brother, Andrew