It's been over a YEAR since I've posted here! I am so sorry! And I have no good reason to give you. Here this blog is supposed to help all of you as you traverse this strange trail called Aspergers and I've been MIA.
Since I last posted, I know the DSM (the manual that categorizes psychological disorders et al.) has removed the diagnosis (dx) of Aspergers and just lumped it into the Autism category. Autism is such a wide spectrum, though, isn't it? One person can say, "My child has autism" and they could mean anything from non-verbal to has what looks like two-year-old meltdowns even though they're fifteen!
I don't know about you but my journey on this trail has made me much more aware of how people are really doing than how I perceive they might be doing. For example, I've noticed more that when cashiers look mad and distant at the store, they're usually just not feeling well. Or if my son, who is gifted (and that's a whole other set of issues, right there!) says he cannot do something (such as a school assignment right that moment) he literally might not be able to even though I might think he can!
This school year my daughter has started her freshman year of high school. What I've learned since the beginning is she's not as independent at her work as I think she should be, she may not graduate in the expected four year time frame, and while she does have a mind for science, her high school level biology course is taking a lot out of her. Not only that but there are gaps missing in her math, so we will probably be backing her up a bit in that.
Now, if I were to be worrying about mankind's opinion about all this, I would probably stress myself out even more than I was earlier this year (2014)when I landed in the Emergency Room more than once due to stress! However, I remind myself it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I need to do what's right by my daughter. If we've identified some gaps in her education, we can back up and get her to where she needs to be before moving on. THAT's what is important! That and letting her know, daily, that her parents love her, and most importantly, GOD loves her!
Time is fleeting, the Bible says, and we've all seen the truth of that! Regardless of what anyone else, who isn't traversing the journey you're on, thinks, you the concerned and involved parent, need to follow your gut and get the services and/or diagnoses you believe your child needs, whether she is 4 or 24. We do our kids no favors by trying to get them to "keep up with their peers" when they just aren't ready. Use your time wisely, moms and dads! Your kiddos will most likely only be with you for a little while longer before life happens and you wonder why your house is so quiet! (I'm not there yet, either, but I keep hearing that's what happens!)
Peace and blessings to you!
-Noble
