About the Boys

We encourage our sons, Tim and Carter, to participate in activities as well.

Tim, who has Asperger's is in the marching band. Band is a great activity for kids who are musically inclined. Because "Aspy" kids need a little help with social skills, participating in band automatically makes him a part of something larger - it's great for his image. Because the steps to the routines are black and white and very regimented he excells. He lugs a tuba during the routine, so during marching season, he gets a workout.

Carter plays the flute in the band. Although he is home schooled this year, the school district is allowing him to continue in band and take and elective, so he attends the junior high for the last two periods of the day. Carter is really shy, and with the tics brought on by Tourette's Syndrome, any chance to shine is welcome. The band, again, gives him a positive group to belong to. He is also joining Venture Scouts this semester, an arm of the Boy Scouts. The group focuses on paddling, so it gets him outdoors too.

Encourage your child to join something for the fun of it (but, of course, we know they'll be learning valuable skills along the way...)

Driving King (rhymes with Dancing Queen!)

Well, my 16 year old is driving all by his lonesome! It sure is nice during these every-day-for-two-weeks pre-school band practices. For those of you new to the site, my son has Asperger Syndrome although you would be hard pressed to identify him at this point (now, 10 years ago it was a different story altogether!).

His ability to hyperfocus has proven to be beneficial in his driving skills as he pays attention all the time. He is a rules-follower and doesn't know it's an option to disobey, so, for now, I know he won't turn on the radio or answer his cell phone when he is driving but will wait till he pulls over or reaches his destination.

And the fact that he is driving his own car certainly bolsters his image among his peers.

Just watch out if you're driving around us...