Aspergers VS. Nonverbal Learning Disorder

When my son received his diagnosis of Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) he also scored as "high likely" for Asperger's Syndrome (AS). I found this very confusing for a long time and sometimes felt like the correct diagnosis should have been AS. Other times I felt that NLD was in fact the correct diagnosis. Still other times I . . . read more.

New PBS Series, "This Emotional Llife"

I saw this series recommended over here on Gold to Refine and thought it sounded really interesting. Then I saw it mentioned again and decided to share it.

I will definitely be watching this series on-line over the next few days.

New PBS Series, "This Emotional Life," Features Social Psychology

By Social Psychology Network News

Source: Social Psychology Network News
"This Emotional Life," a 3-part PBS television documentary hosted by Harvard social psychologist Dan Gilbert, airs January 4-6. The series explores how to improve social relationships, cope with emotional issues, and become more positive and resilient. Each episode weaves together the personal stories of ordinary people and the latest in brain science research, along with comments from celebrities such as Chevy Chase, Larry David, Elizabeth...

The Sad Story of Zakhquery Price

I've seen quite a lot written about this story recently and wanted to pass it on. I feel very sad for the family and for Zakh. All too often I've seen a child's needs repeatedly ignored or pushed aside because no one takes the time, effort and maybe even money to address these needs appropriately. Sometimes it's a result of a very broken system, sometimes it's ignorance, sometimes it's simply an unwillingness to put forth the effort to provide the services needed .

Please check out these articles and pass them on.

 Fifth Grade Autistic Boy Charged With a Felony .

Zakhquery Price and the Danger of Incarcerating Our Youth

Staying Focused

We've enjoyed this Christmas vacation but I am very glad to see the return of more structure again.

Too much unstructured time simply does not work well with some kids and Austin is one of them. All this unstructured time has led to more vocal tics, more rocking back and forth, more aimless wandering through the house, and in general more disorganized behaviour. It's driving me a little crazy and I believe it's frustrating for him as well.

I also think it's time for me to work a little harder on helping him plan his time so that he doesn't end up feeling restless and disorganized. In general I believe it's very important for a child to have plenty of free unstructured time, but in Austin's case I feel I need to help him find the tools for staying focused. Otherwise, he keeps ending up in no man's land and that's no fun for either of us.

Now that he is entering his teen years I am beginning to really look hard at giving him the tools to succeed as an adult. I know it is going to take a lot of hard work and perseverance. I also know that with a lot of hard work and perseverance we will get there successfully. One step at a time.

One. Step. At. A. Time.

Merry Christmas!

Determination

I was very proud of Austin yesterday.

Normally on Wednesday evening Doug takes our kids to church and he stays and helps with the children's program and then brings them home again. Yesterday he had some things he had to do for a tenant at our rental house and it really did not suit him to take them like he usually does. Since the church also has some vans and a bus Doug offered to call and arrange for a ride to church for Austin.


Austin really dislikes riding the vans and the bus. The noise and chaos the always ensues in a crowded vehicle of kids really bothers him. But he is determined that he is going to make a place for himself with this group of kids, and that he will find a friend. He also wants to learn as much as he can from the teacher in the class he attends. It was completely his choice whether to go or not and he decided to go. He talked several times about how much he dislikes the noise but remained determined. And he went.

Doug finished the work at the rental house in time to be able to pick him up from church so he would not have to ride the van home. I asked him if he was glad for his usual ride home and he said he was but he was glad he went.

Even though he has his struggles, Austin is a very determined young man. He realizes that he has some challenges and is determined not to let them hold him back. And that makes me very proud of him.

Balancing Act

Amanda is getting to the point where she asks more and more often why? Why is my brother acting this way? Why does he talk nonstop (and I do mean nonstop, in circles, round and round the same subject)? Will he ever grow out of it? Why does he get so upset so quickly?

I have explained to her that everyone's brain works differently and his works a little more differently than the average person. We have talked about how it does not mean he isn't as smart or as talented as anyone else, it's just that he approaches life differently. But it's hard sometimes for her to understand. Especially when we've listened to a lengthy lecture on playing cards for the fifty eleventh time today.

And there are also the times when she feels that he is getting special treatment. When she has to be extra careful not to overwhelm him when he's on edge. There are times when she has to try to understand that he is not deliberately annoying her, and times when he freezes up when she's talking to him and she has to understand that he's not trying to ignore her and she just needs to give him a few minutes. And of course there are the times when a meltdown happens and she sometimes feels like he is not given the consequences he should have.

Yesterday Amanda and I spent a whole afternoon in the kitchen cooking together. No interruptions. Austin was watching TV and playing games on the computer. I realized again how important these times are when I simply focus on her and we spend time together doing the things she loves.

Sometimes she needs some "special" treatment too. Maybe a surprise treat just for her, a compliment when she's not expecting it. A reminder that she's just as important and special as her brother. And she definitely does deserve a big thank you for being as patient a sister as she is.

Every day is a balancing act but we are working on finding, as much as possible, the balance that works for all of us.