I was just talking to another parent with a child a few years older than mine. She didn't really know what autism is and was asking me about it. It just got me wondering how much people understand about the disorder.
Do you know anyone on the spectrum? Do you have a general understanding of the disorder? Do you have questions about it?
My brother was autistic I teach special ed and I have had several students on the spectrum. I currently have 2
When i was growing up, it was unheard of and no one knew anything about it (they were in shock when they would meet my brother) I guess i am pretty knowledgeable about it bc of my brother plus I am in the field, but i feel like awareness is really on the rise. It seems everyone knows someone or "knows someone that knows someone" on the spectrum
I spend so much time talking to other parents with kids on the spectrum, I think I take for granted the general awareness of everyone else. I wasn't even sure where to begin with my explanation. LOL
I don't know a lot but what I do know it's harder for him to communicate his feelings, and he has a harder time not focusing on stuff that does not interest him
She has brought to the office once we had to work a long night and he was really well behaved he played his video game the whole time and when she told him to lay down and rest he did
When I was around 16/17, I knew a guy who had Aspergers. Well, at that age I was pretty self absorbed to a degree and I found him really annoying, he would call me constantly, and one time he got so mad at me that he called me around 25 times in a 5 minute window. He would say how he has Aspergers and that no one likes him. I stopped talking to him because I couldn't handle all the dependence on me for talking to him 24/7 and he always wanted to call me/have me call him.
Now? I know nothing about Autism really or Aspergers. But I always wished I would have been nicer to him because it was me who didn't understand. And I still don't. I have no idea what was going through his head and if this was/is normal and I was just being a royal jackass to him for not talking to him anymore or if it was something else.
But I'd love to learn, especially from people who know first hand. (Instead of a wordy/medically written document explaining).
My daughter is most likely on the spectrum (Aspergers). She's very bright, but she struggles with socialization. She's also very focused (extremely focused) on certain things. She also does a lot of the mannerisms of autism. We were in the process of getting her tested, but our insurance fell through on it. I also teach special ed and have had multiple students with Autism. My current placement has one in a life skills setting.
Post by karmasabiotch on Aug 5, 2012 16:40:54 GMT -5
2 of DH's nephews have it. One has Aspergers and is pretty high functioning. The other one is more severe. I feel pretty knowledgeable about it. I thought J had it when he wasn't saying anything by the time he was 1ish. I think my nephew might have some form of it but my sister has never said anything so I don't bring it up.
I'm surprised that the average person doesn't know more about it since do many children are dx with it now.
Post by wildfloweragain on Aug 5, 2012 16:41:53 GMT -5
I guess a lot. Some good friends' kids have autism and i generally have 2-3 kids on the spectrum in my class. Our whole community pretty much is knowledgeable about it though. We have a center for autism here and a higher than average population because of services offered. A.bunch of us met temple grandins mom a few years ago and heard her speak/ did some workshops.
My DD1 is on the spectrum. So, yeah. She's high-functioning and most people who we tell are like, "Really? She has autism?!" But if you know what to look for, it's easy to see where she struggles.
I used to be a teacher for an autism specific classroom. Also, I was an applied behavioral sciences specialist in a residence for adults with developmental disabilities, 4 out of the 10 were on the spectrum.
I have an autistic cousin and briefly dated somebody with asperger's, so I feel like I know more than the average person, but there's a lot I probably still don't know. Diagnosis, for example--how does that happen? What are the ways doctors can place a person at a certain point on the spectrum? Do different types of autism become evident at different ages? This is stuff I just don't know about at all.
I know quite a bit, because it seemed for awhile that Will was on the spectrum. Once we got past that and he was properly diagnosed, we were still spending a lot of time with several families with kids with autism.
I teach a substantially separate class and most of my students are on the spectrum. I'm also halfway finished with my BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)certification(twins majorly delayed this, lol). Kids on the spectrum are my absolute favorite.
When I was around 16/17, I knew a guy who had Aspergers. Well, at that age I was pretty self absorbed to a degree and I found him really annoying, he would call me constantly, and one time he got so mad at me that he called me around 25 times in a 5 minute window. He would say how he has Aspergers and that no one likes him. I stopped talking to him because I couldn't handle all the dependence on me for talking to him 24/7 and he always wanted to call me/have me call him.
Now? I know nothing about Autism really or Aspergers. But I always wished I would have been nicer to him because it was me who didn't understand. And I still don't. I have no idea what was going through his head and if this was/is normal and I was just being a royal jackass to him for not talking to him anymore or if it was something else.
But I'd love to learn, especially from people who know first hand. (Instead of a wordy/medically written document explaining).
Aww don't be too hard on yourself moonbeam. You did not know! People on the autism spectrum are SO different from one another but they often have similar traits. One is an inability to notice and follow social cues. If I had to guess, I would say your old friend had very little social awareness and had no clue how irritating he was being by calling you every minute of every day. People on the spectrum really struggle with this. For example, my daughter will walk up to someone and say, "hi" repeatedly even if they don't answer her. She does not understand that there are some people who won't say hi back. She becomes EXTREMELY frustrated when the script in her mind (a reciprocated greeting) does not take place. She could potentially go into a meltdown if she says "hi" to a person more than 6 or 7 times and they still don't say hi back. She doesn't realise that sometimes people aren't paying attention (like at a noisy party) or sometimes they don't want to say hi back (like the bitchy Target cashier LOL). Your friend was in a sense acting out by calling you so many times, but he probably did not have the social awareness to know better.
I don't know anyone on the spectrum. I think I have a basic understanding of aspergers from watching Parenthood, but that could be way off. I'm actually not sure what the difference is between aspergers and autism. I think maybe autism is more severe?
I don't know anyone on the spectrum. I think I have a basic understanding of aspergers from watching Parenthood, but that could be way off. I'm actually not sure what the difference is between aspergers and autism. I think maybe autism is more severe?
I think they do a great job on the show Parenthood. I can relate so much which is why I'm always crying by the end of that show. LOL
Autism is more severe, you are right. Generally speaking, those with Aspergers tend to struggle primarily with social skills. There are often sensory issues and gross motor issues as well, but they are often of above average intelligence. People with autism may have cognitive struggles and more severe sensory, language, physical issues/barriers.
I don't know anyone on the spectrum. I think I have a basic understanding of aspergers from watching Parenthood, but that could be way off. I'm actually not sure what the difference is between aspergers and autism. I think maybe autism is more severe?
I think they do a great job on the show Parenthood. I can relate so much which is why I'm always crying by the end of that show. LOL
Autism is more severe, you are right. Generally speaking, those with Aspergers tend to struggle primarily with social skills. There are often sensory issues and gross motor issues as well, but they are often of above average intelligence. People with autism may have cognitive struggles and more severe sensory, language, physical issues/barriers.
This is not accurate. Apsergers is a form of autism, there are more severe forms but apsergers is on the autism spectrum.
Post by cheesierthanchedda on Aug 5, 2012 18:00:10 GMT -5
One of H's best friends has Asperger's. He wasn't diagnosed until he was 20 or 21. When he got the diagnosis all of us went, "OMG that explains so much!"
My uncle (mom's sister's husband) is undiagnosed, but probably on the spectrum. At least we like to think so, otherwise he is just a colossal asshole.
Post by lyssbobiss, Command, B613 on Aug 5, 2012 18:07:35 GMT -5
My son is going to be evaluated for it in a few months (it's taken forever to get in with anyplace that will do it) - possibly Aspergers. So I know a little bit but I feel like I'm learning more everyday. That comes with risks and benefits. I am almost afraid to read more about it until I have an answer, you know?
"This prick is asking for someone here to bring him to task Somebody give me some dirt on this vacuous mass so we can at last unmask him I'll pull the trigger on it, someone load the gun and cock it While we were all watching, he got Washington in his pocket."
I think they do a great job on the show Parenthood. I can relate so much which is why I'm always crying by the end of that show. LOL
Autism is more severe, you are right. Generally speaking, those with Aspergers tend to struggle primarily with social skills. There are often sensory issues and gross motor issues as well, but they are often of above average intelligence. People with autism may have cognitive struggles and more severe sensory, language, physical issues/barriers.
This is not accurate. Apsergers is a form of autism, there are more severe forms but apsergers is on the autism spectrum.
I'm not sure if you read the full context, but what I said is indeed accurate. I know Asperger's is a form of autism, but an autism diagnosis is more severe than an Asperger's diagnosis. If you read the paragraph on "Characteristis" you will get a better understanding of what we were talking about. www.autism-society.org/about-autism/aspergers-syndrome/
My son is going to be evaluated for it in a few months (it's taken forever to get in with anyplace that will do it) - possibly Aspergers. So I know a little bit but I feel like I'm learning more everyday. That comes with risks and benefits. I am almost afraid to read more about it until I have an answer, you know?
The hardest part for me was the being-in-limbo, being 99.9% sure something was wrong but not knowing what. Once we got a dx, it was easier to put my energy into doing something/getting DD1 help, not just being paralyzed because I had no idea what we were dealing with.
My son is going to be evaluated for it in a few months (it's taken forever to get in with anyplace that will do it) - possibly Aspergers. So I know a little bit but I feel like I'm learning more everyday. That comes with risks and benefits. I am almost afraid to read more about it until I have an answer, you know?
Good luck with the evaluation. It will be so much better once you know what you are dealing with and what you can do to help him. Don't be surprised if you have a variety of emotions though. I was partially relieved to know what was going on, but I did fall into a bit of a depression when we first found out. It took some getting used to.
I have to admit I don't know much. My cousin is on the spectrum, but he only found out as an adult. He always tended to be focused/obsessed with his interests, and is an awkward conversationalist, as in he is hard to follow if you don't know him well, and will keep going on a super technical topic without reading cues that the other person has no idea what he is talking about. He is extremely smart, but he doesn't come off as such if you don't know him. We were close, and when I found out I was like "duh, that makes sense!".