four year old with aspergers syndrome and hyperlexia drawing numbers with chalk PART 1

[raenorri]

@ddhsaclu here's the thing. my husband was also diagnosed with aspergers. at age 33. i asked him if he thought his life would have been easier or harder knowing all along. he tells me how he wishes he could have understood why he didn't seem to fit into the world like everyone else his whole life. it was like missing a part of who he was all along. it isn't really about our son knowing or not knowing, but how we help empower him with his strengths.

[raenorri]

@ddhsaclu there is scientific evidence of an Aspie brain functioning differently than a typical brain. it does not benefit a person with aspergers for everyone to just pretend their struggles don't exist. my son has dropped to the ground covering his ears in pain when a sprinkler went off. the pressure causing a high pitched whine that wouldn't bother just anyone. what do you suggest i tell him when he asks me why it doesn't bother those around him? that isn't a personality trait.

[raenorri]

@ddhsaclu the hardest part about raising a child with aspergers is people who insist it is not there. i do not wish these things for my son. being neuro-typical may have made his life easier... but that isn't what he is. you don't have to agree. however, this is my life. all day every day. i can assure you these "labels" are as much a part of him as being labeled "right handed" or "blue eyed".. it does not define him, only explain him.

[dddogg32]

CJ is just amazing. i am not familiar with Asperger's, but i understand. I have a birth defect called spina bifida and i hate being defined by it. CJ seems to live in a wonderful world i wouldn't mind being part of. Thank you for sharing this series of videos with the world.

[Laniemarie427]

Thank you for posting these videos. I have a brother (he's adopted) who is 14 and has (high functioning) Asperger's & ADHD. Your little guy seems extremely high functioning. :) I've heard before that w/o people w/ AS, then we wouldn't have cell phones, etc. My 8 yr. old son is sensory defensive (& the bookworm type) & our other son, age 3.5 is quite similar to your son. He's obsessed w/ #3, he's been talking about #7 a lot too & he wants to watch Toy Story 2 & 3 everyday (if I'd let him!)

[raenorri]

@Laniemarie427 CJ is partial to number 5, although he loves them all. He has come a long way from the three year old laying on the floor at our pediatricians office ignoring her. He also has ADHD as well as OCD tendencies. Thank you so much for responding... it always reminds me that there are people who DO understand and get it ;)

oh...and i'm pretty sure i could recite every line of all 3 toy story movies by now :)