Aspies, the good, the bad and the ugly!

If you have met one kid with autism, then you have met one kid. A good friend said that once. Never a truer word was spoken. Think about it like other neurological disorders, like Cerebral Palsy. With all "spectrum" disorders you can have anything from someone who's so high functioning you have to cock your head, squint with your left eye and stand on your head to see it. Then you see the highly impacted child or individual and it's like a wet fish across the face. You know, the types you either stare at with your jaw dragging on the ground or you are deliberately ignoring, while at the same time feeling relieved and guilty. Yes, so do I, even still, after 11 years of dealing with high functioning autism and a couple of co morbid disorders that tack themselves on for shits and giggles.

I have three spectrum kiddos, all like stepping stones from most impacted to least impacted. They have similarities for sure, but more importantly they are so unique and different. Think of it like one of those venn diagrams you despised in Math class in or in Language Arts. Three circles that intersect in the middle. The majority of the circle is each individual, with bits that overlap with their siblings, both individually or as a trifecta. Aspergers syndrome is a neurological disorder (NO, it's not a bloody disease, you can't catch it and trust me, chemo doesn't help). having said that, yes many of those on the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) spectrum do benefit from other interventions, like therapy, dietary change, supplements or prescription medications.

I have two who need meds and all three benefit from supplements and other holistic intervention, such as chiropractic care. The first that tells me chiropractors are quacks, come see what my oldest is like after a specific adjustment. Night and bloody day!!!! Rainman is an anomaly, which is why it became a movie. They never make movies about the mundane or the day to day slog of dealing with social needs or neurological disorders, hell, that would be far too real and down right depressing...where's the uplifting "Awe' feeling in that? True, people on the higher end of the spectrum are hyperfocused on one or a few special interests. True, they often struggle with eye contact, although I will stipulate not all. I have one eye flitter, one "don't feckin' look at me" and one "let me stare you out of it." I have two sensory seekers, who bounce, swing, body slam all day (if allowed), and one who won't notice if he has lost a limb, but a splinter involves the jaws of life.

They ALL struggle with voice volume and pitch, and intense patience and great speech therapy has helped with that, and all have struggled with fine and gross motor delays (ie: the 11 year old is only now learning to ride a bike with training wheels). However, they all have an incredible sense of humour, an inbred need to please (pre and post meltdowns;). They are uniquely their own little person, and I wouldn't have it any other way.....well ok, some days, but for the most part...nah! Love me my Aspies!