Samuel's WorldAspergers Syndrome - what's that?
Samuel and Aspergers
The first time we realised that Samuel had a different understanding to certain phrases we would say was probably last year when he asked me one day “Has Daddy driven to work” I replied “No, he is coming home on the train” At first Samuel just walked off and continued to watch the television but after about 5 minutes he came back up to me and looked very puzzled and perplexed and said “Daddy will fall off if he is on top of the train”
Meanings behind phrases and sayings.
Samuel when listening to conversation will quite often get “the wrong end of the stick” as I would put it, now I know what that means and many other sayings like “I am at the end of my tether” or “I,ve been running round like a yoyo”, but for Samuel if you said any of these sayings to him last year before his support in school he would visualise a stick and ask is there a right end? or he would picture a yoyo and think – does it run?
Educational Games
There is a brilliant game available that I bought in March called “Pull Your Socks Up” you can find it on the internet but do email me and I will send you the link where I bought it from. It covers and teaches all the different sayings and phrases we all say on a everyday basis – very enjoyable and funny to play.
Other Definitions
Only a few months ago Samuel said “Which way are we going to go to school today?” – I replied “We will go this route today” and Samuel’s reply was “How can we walk down a plant root then?”
The IT word
Maybe I am just like other parents but I do feel I use this word too much and have learnt by my mistakes not to use it as much and to define what I mean by that word. “Where is it?”, “Put it on”. The word it means not a lot really in the Aspergers world, it does not link to anything specific and you then have a child who unintentionally ignores you!
Social Interaction
Samuel has a very low self esteem about himself and always gets annoyed in whatever he is trying to do or frustration sets in – making friends for any child is a challenge and one I used to hate as a child myself!!! Always wanting a best friend, wanting to participate but not having the courage or confidence in myself.
Expressions – Should I laugh or be serious?
Many a times have there been situations that Samuel has laughed when he should have not and often when asked to have a photo taken the expression you would get is definitely not a smile! Understanding the social norms is hard for children with Aspergers, understanding other people’s feelings and facial expressions is even harder!
Again like Tourettes and all the other disorders Samuel has this one is life long – but with support and guidance some of them might get better with maturity.
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train images by www.mirror-uk-rb1.gallery.hd.org/index.jsp
My son is 9 years old and has aspergers syndrome. I would like some more information on the games we can all play, that you mention on this website
Many thanks
Hi Julie – Thanks for your comment – here is the link to the website I buy all my games from. You will need a spare half an hour to go through all of the catalogue as there is lots to choose from!!! The link should take you directly to the game Pull Your Socks up. http://www.ldalearning.com/scripts/detail.php?intItemCode=MT10005 but go to the home page and it splits into different categories – another game to get your hands on is called The Social Speaking Game – slightly more expensive but from the same company £20. We have found the sequence story cards great and they are for our age group. All of these games have no competitivness exploring emothions and expressions and what should you do in a certain situation. Another good one to get is called Why? Because.
Good Luck with your hunt and Happy Playing!!
lynettexx
It was very interesting to read your comments about Samuel. I have a 7 year old son who has Aspergers. I too would like to know more about the games we can play, particularly games that he can play with his three siblings. The Pull your Socks Up game sounds particularly good. Please can you point me in the right direction. Thanks
Bobbie Brown | Mar 3, 07:38 AM | 3Hi Julie, We have a son who is four and has aspergers, he is beening seen by CAHMS and they are looking into other problems he has. He is supposed to be starting school in september and was just wondering how Sam’s school deals with him and how he copes with school? Aaron did not take well to starting playgroup and it took him 7 months to get him into that routine but just recently his bad behaviour has just started up again. He only goes three days to playgroup as they can’t deal with him properly and we are worried about how he is going to handle five when he goes to school. Any advice would be gratefully recieved. Many thanks Steph and Dean
Stephanie Campbell-Salmon | Jun 20, 05:55 PM | 4I help to run a club for disabled people their families and friends. I am disabled myself and it is a non-profit making organization. Recently we have had a new member with AS, she is only 11 yrs old, and I wondered if you could tell me anything special I could do to help her. She seems to have no trouble communicating or mixing in. I have read all the articles about AS on the internet, but just wondered if their was anything I could do to help.
Thank you
Dianne
Hi Dianne – Thanks for your comments, Aspergers Syndrome varies in degrees depending on the child, some children have it mild, others extreme. The main areas that concern families fall under the social comms title – expressions, rules, sayings, misinterpretations. Children can easily pick up the wrong idea and then find it harder to socialise with their own peer group. They prefer adults or younger children to socialise with because they feel less vulnerable. My brother’s son also has AS but a very mild case and really you would not kinow he did have a diagnosis apart from when he sometimes gets confused with what you are saying, specifically if you use a saying or specific phrase. Most aspergers children are very bright and articulate and with support and guidance can blosson through education and society.
Please email Diane if you need more specific info regarding your new member. Is she has specific worries or problems then do let me know and maybe I can suggest some ideas that might help.
lynette xx I wish you well with your group.
can i just say that your website is a brilliant way ofinteracting with other parents with children who have aspergers its the best site i have came across!!!
gina stewart | Nov 16, 09:31 PM | 7Hi Gina – Thanks for your kind comments!!! Spread the word about the site to any other families you might think would be interested in this site!!
lynette xx
My 14 year grandson has AS but we can get no help from anyone. He is now at a point where he says he cannot live with his mother although she has 3 other children and does an excellent job. He seems to be blaming her for everything and the worrying thing is he is now becoming very agressive and the older he gets the stronger he gets as he is now nearly 6 foot tall. Please can you give us any advice my daughter is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Also his younger syblings are suffering because of the tantrums and violence.
Penny Byrom | Nov 11, 09:54 AM | 9Great info, i glad to see this blog, such an informative article, Thanks for share this.
Term Papers Writing | Dec 2, 10:55 AM | 10Commenting is closed for this article.