Hello,

I'm a mom from Kansas, recently became interested in asperger's.

While visiting with a cousin following my brother's wedding, my
cousin wondered aloud whether our son Seth (age 11) might have
asperger's syndrome. He and his wife feel their son has a mild form
of it and they noticed many similar behaviors between our son and
theirs.

When my cousin started asking questions about "does he....", we were
amazed how he had our son described to a "T". I didn't get to see
their son, since he was out (he's 15), but listening to my cousin and
his wife I began to make sense out of our slightly quirky kid. They
had opted not to do anything in terms of intervention, just continue
to be sensitive and supportive parents.

My son has an overwhelming interest in geography. He's been drawing
maps since first grade. He knows exactly where every country is and
what it's capital is. However, when we had him in the school
geography bee for the first time this year, he disqualfied early
because of not understanding some guidelines, and not answering a
question in time. He was overwhelmed by being in the spotlight, and
it really didn't feel important to him to prove himself. He just
didn't care to be in front of all those people.

He has mannerisms of waving his hands briskly and almost grimacing
when he appears to be in deep thought and something exites him.
Sometimes when he is walking he'll break into skipping, just in his
own world.

He is very sensitive about clothing: tags, seams in socks, doesn't
like to wear jeans.

He is socially shy until he gets to know someone, but very
affectionate towards his younger brother. It didn't bother him to
lose the geography bee, but he becomes very frustrated and often
cries if he doesn't do well in Scrabble or another family game. He
never loses at "Geografacts", (board game) so that's not even an
issue.

He is a perfectionist about accuracy in information. He is very
literal, but seems to accept that other people may speak in metaphors
or symbolically. Errors in textbooks really bother him (how could
they not know that???). :)

He has his deeply held beliefs: he will never eat until after he has
prayed...even for snacks. He is not afraid to express beliefs
different from others, and if criticized or mocked, doesn't seem to
be bothered by it. Fortunately he goes to a small private school
where he's known several kids for many years, and they are accepting
of him. I think being a little socially "clueless" makes him less
sensitive to mocking or bullying...which may be good. He's always had
an unswervingly solid self-esteem. He does not initiate friendships,
but accepts them, and is warm and pleasant with more well-known peers.

We've just parented him the way we sense is right, trying to be
sensitive and supportive without pushing or pulling in the wrong
direction..which does happen sometimes.

I'm just interested in how other parents work with their children
with asperger's.

Thanks
Cathy