Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome and A Bit of Fun

Since April is autism month, I thought I would make a list of some of the signs that indicate a child might have Asperger's Syndrome aka Asperger's Disorder. Children who have this disorder can exhibit many different symptoms and it depends on the severity of the disorder whether these are highly noticeable. Sometimes they are very mild and are not noticed until the child attends school, which was the case with Brandon.

Here is a list of the most common symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome, though just because your child has some of these symptoms it doesn't necessarily mean that he/she has it. If you are concerned, be sure to check with your family doctor .

* Unable to read body language.

* Walks or runs with a clumsy gait.

* Dislikes change in environment or routine.

* Speaks like a little professor.

* Doesn't make eye contact.

* Hast trouble starting or maintaining a conversation.

* Lacks social skills and has trouble making and maintaining friendships.

* Stands awkwardly.

* Has odd facial expressions.

* Is unable to differentiate different voice tones.

* Voice lacks tone or pitch and talks somewhat in monotone.

* Developmentally delayed motor skills. (Brandon can now do up a zipper but still cannot tie shoelaces. Luckily there are both running shoes and sandals with velcro.)

* Is overstimulated by textures of clothing and/or food.

* Is overstimulated by light or noise.

* Requires step-by-step instruction to do simple tasks.

* Appears to lack empathy.

The last one is one that I'd like to touch on. Lacks empathy. From what I've seen in the Asperger's children that I've met, they don't lack empathy, just don't know how to communicate it. I believe that most of these children are very sensitive and very in-tune with the feelings of those around them. They just are unable to express what they are feeling. I've seen a child with Asperger's laugh at an inappropriate time but think that he believed it was appropriate.

Have you ever laughed when someone fell? Some people do and this is because it is a nervous response. I believe that is why the child laughed inappropriately. He knew he should respond but wasn't sure how to go about it, so he laughed - a nervous type of laugh.

This is another reason that we should never judge people that are strangers to us. If someone you know responds inappropriately, you know that is out of character for that person - well, maybe not, depending on the person, but we do know if that is characteristic of him/her. We do not know that about strangers.

Asperger's Syndrome as well as other disorders on the Autism Spectrum make people act unusual. They are called weird, quirky, odd, eccentric and other names. This is very demeaning for the person who knows he has a disability but doesn't quite know how to cope with it. Most people with AS can be taught appropriate actions. If you know a child who exhibits several of these symptoms, have him/her checked by a health care professional. Education and knowledge is the key to acceptance.


When I dropped by to visit Storyteller at Small Reflections earlier today, I noticed that she had taken part in this fun quiz. I decided to give it a try and this was the result.

I love border collies and am honored to be one. I love working dogs. The dog we had before Meeko was an American Eskimo. The dog that we had when I was growing up was part border collie and part German shepherd. Grandpa's dog was a pure German shepherd. So working dogs have been part of my life since I was a child. I hope you will take this quiz and let me know in the comments what type of dog you are.

Isn't this clipart of the robin pretty? I meant to post this last week. On Thursday I saw my first robin of the season. He had a beautiful red breast and was fat as could be. It didn't look like he'd suffered much over the winter or lost weight on his trip north. He was a beauty.

Robins love to sit on our terrace and look for juicy worms. I suspect that they also eat the crumbs that Meeko leaves in the grass when he has cookies outside. Whatever they're after, I enjoy watching them.

Robins have different songs and a special distinctive sound when it's going to rain. I listen for the robin's song and it's not often that they are incorrect. I have seen the rain pass us by but not often. When a "robin calls for rain," as Grandma used to put it, it usually does rain.

Another bird I love to hear sing is the red-winged blackbird. These birds can be found in marshy areas and along creeks, rivers and streams. They have a distinct call that I remember from my childhood. I saw my first red-winged blackbird last Friday when Meeko and I were walking along the canal. He was chirping his head off and I suspect he was calling for a mate because he was flittering and fluttering around and acting a little crazy. LOL

I'm hoping to get some bird photos this year to post here. I love songbirds and really want to see the indigo bunting that made its home in this area two years ago. I didn't see them last year but the male is truly amazing in color. Along the canal we also see finches, pileated woodpeckers, kingfishers and for years, we have watched a blue heron have breakfast in the canal that's not far from here. You have to be there very early in the morning though, just after dawn. It's awesome to see him catch a small fish.

Not much other news than that. I got most of the things on my to-do list done today, but not all of them. I have made another to-do list for tomorrow, but am going out with Mom and Dwight in the afternoon so we shall see what gets accomplished.

What is on your to-do list? Anything exciting? I would be interested in hearing what you have to do in the comments. Take care and have a Wonderful Wednesday. ~Blessings, Mary~