| One of the largest problems with having a high | | | | just fine, but then one day she doesn't. I have often got |
| functioning Aspergers child is people don't always see | | | | the "look" from people. Even people I know and family |
| a child with a disability, they think they are just acting | | | | members who know she has a disability. It is the |
| out or undisciplined. I have even had this discussion with | | | | "control your child", or "what kind of parent are you" or |
| family members who felt it was a discipline issue. Even | | | | "she has no dicipline" look. If they could only spend one |
| if discipline was the problem, Aspergers children work | | | | day in my shoes to understand there is a difference |
| differently when it comes to discipline and techniques | | | | with these children. They literally are wired different |
| used on other kids do not always work or work the | | | | and have to be dealt with different. Just like when you |
| same with Aspergers children. We look back on all the | | | | come home with a new baby from the hospital |
| years and all the different things we tried and now | | | | "without an instruction manual" and have to figure it |
| realize we either had absolutely no effect on her, or it | | | | out.......this is the same. There is no instruction manual |
| went in the wrong direction from where we were | | | | because they are all different and you have to find |
| trying to get. | | | | what works and fits for them. |
| It is extremely frustrating to have people | | | | I am so thankful she is high functioning Aspergers |
| misunderstand your child in this way. Since many | | | | because she can lead a fairly normal life. She can |
| Aspergers children have a maturity level under their | | | | learn the social skills and abilities to function in the world. |
| actual age it makes things even worse. I often want to | | | | It just takes time. I love that her doctor made the |
| tell my child to grow up or act her age, but I realize she | | | | comment that "someday people may actually look at |
| isn't there mentally. She still loves to watch the young | | | | Aspergers as an positive attribute when interviewing |
| children cartoons, for example. She still can throw a | | | | for a career". He made this comment after talking |
| tantrum (not throwing herself on the floor, but gets | | | | about several scientists that were thought to have |
| very frustrated and shuts off). Her ability to know | | | | been Aspergers. There are some good attributes that |
| what is proper and not proper in certain situations can | | | | many Aspergers children display that could potentially |
| still be at a childs level. This is also frustrating because | | | | be sought after in certain fields such as science. Since |
| some situations she is fine and handles herself | | | | my daughter is a science freak and loves math, our |
| perfectly, but once in awhile she doesn't and you just | | | | doctor feels she could really excell in school and a |
| don't know when it will happen. This is where the high | | | | career. |
| functioning Aspergers is in play, when she can function | | | | |