Moms Know

I have to say my husband was not supportive at all. Fortunately, he has made an about turn, but, back then, when I needed answers, he refused to believe there was anything wrong with our son. The boy was tested and diagnosed at three and a half. Asperger Syndrome. A real name to a real condition. My husband and I went to the national convention. He cried and refused to go back after first day. He said they were talking about him as a child. Asperger Syndrome. Gee, who knew.

Start Early, My Friends

Asperger Syndrome is a form of autism. My son was diagnosed at three and a half, but I had become concerned long before then. I have to say, however, he was my happiest baby out of my four. When he was two, I tried placing him in a day care three days a week, so I could tend to my twin newborns. He didn’t last two weeks. The teachers confirmed my suspicians. He was aggressive, had trouble expressing his frustrations. He wouldn’t nap. He wouldn’t make eye contact. He repeated everything over and over. Finally, someone saw what I saw.

Don't Let the Hand Get in the Way

He started writing camp this morning. I signed him up for the summer course at the high school to help him with his writing inhibitions. He was not a happy camper. When he was younger, he could not stand handling a pencil. The very act of putting pencil to paper was just too painful for him. It will always be an issue although, when we home-schooled, he could shout, sing or record his answers, and that worked out great! The ability to think off the cuff will always challenge him. No medicine for four years, National Honor Society member, first chair in tuba, and he has three friends. We are fortunate. So, off he goes to camp, my fighter.

Rejoice for Three Friends

June 1, 2008 (from my diary)

My son had his 16th birthday party yesterday. He invited all the people he knew; three came. Thank God, he has three friends! My son has Asperger Syndrome. He was diagnosed at three and a half years old against the wishes of my husband who blamed me for being a refrigerator mom and making a mountain out of a molehill. I knew if I wanted to love my son, I had to understand him. And in those early days, as we entered into the trenches of autism spectrum disorders, I knew in my heart of hearts, something was deeply wrong.