Macen and Asperger's

Macen has Asperger's syndrome. There I said it. He does. He's been "officially" diagnosed AGAIN! It's good. Now it's on his school record, his medical records...it's WHAT he has..not WHO he is.

My son is different form other kids in the neighborhood. He doesn't like small talk. He doesn't like loud noises. He doesn't like it when people sing. It hurts his ears. He doesn't like bright lights. He doesn't like to ride the school bus. He likes to meet other kids, but gets bored if they don't like what he likes. He likes older kids, or younger kids, he's not really comfortable with kids his own age. He loves movies and video games. He has an amazing memory. He quotes lines from a movie that he has only seen once. He loves science because he likes to see how things happen. He doesn't like math because it's just memorizing numbers. He like P.E. He loves it except when he has to run...it makes his chest hurt. My kid has quirks. Some are easy to miss, others are easy to see. He hums when he eats or when he's trying to do his schoolwork. He zones out when he's had enough. He's bull headed and difficult at times. He has a big heart and hates it when kids get in trouble, while at the same time if a kid isn't following the rules he likes to tell on them. He takes medication to keep him focused but he does NOT have ADD. He may seem like he isn't listening, but he is. He hears EVERYTHING. He hears when other kids or adults call him "weird" or "retarded" He sees the way people look at him when they think he isn't "focused" He hears what people say to me when he is having a small breakdown.

My child is amazing to me. He is so smart sometimes it scares me. He loves other people. He doesn't ever want to be the center of attention. He's happy being one of the crowd. He likes when I come to school because he can let me take center stage and he can be my "back up" (that's what he told me tonight) My kid is awesome. He is loving, and kind to all. He isn't comfortable meeting new adults and he tests them. Once he trusts you, you're his friend.

This adventure he is on is scary. It's hard to understand sometimes. As he grows, we learn. There are so many things out there about Asperger's, and each child is so different. We try things. Some work, some don't, but we NEVER give up.

Yes, Macen has Autistic tendencies..but that's just a part of Asperger's. It's tough. It's strange. It's life right now.

I am telling you this so you are not so quick to judge those "weird" kids. Macen is growing up and understands a lot about Aspergers. He is being educated on what he has. I have been blessed to be able to see specialist after specialist. Some parents aren't so lucky...Help them out. Don't tell them that they are lazy parents who don't know how to handle thier child. Kids with Asperger's are hard to define. They are hard to handle sometimes, but they are NOT retarded.

I am a mother to a boy with Asperger's syndrome. I love him. I will defend him..