Category: ASD

The Only Teenager on the Planet Who is Not Having an Identity Crisis

11/22/2015

By Mia Jaqueline Salaz

“Ah, high school! A time of self-discovery and realization!”

When I hear that phrase, all I think is a big fat “BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.”

5 Comments

Forgiving without Forgetting? Asperger's and Memory

7/29/2015

27 Comments

By Jacqui

Forgive and forget, the old saying goes. But what happens if you can’t forget? How do you forgive? How do you let go and move on?

27 Comments

Three Generations Working Together with Asperger's in the Family

6/17/2015

2 Comments

By Jean Stern

Being a grandparent is complex: there’s so much we’d like to do, and not enough time. As the grandmother of three young children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, I have to set priorities to help focus my time and energy. How do we respond to the joys and challenges of Asperger's in our multigenerational family?

2 Comments

Can Fiction Accurately Portray Asperger's and Autism?

6/2/2015

4 Comments

By Mia J. Salaz

Rain Reign is a much lauded recent book by noted children's author Ann M. Martin. It tells the story of Rose, a young girl with what is described as "high functioning autism."

The book has been praised by critics and earned piles of awards. But here at AANE we wanted to know if Rain Reign rang true to a young person who has Asperger's (AS), so we turned to blog contributor, Mia J. Salaz. Here's what she had to say.

4 Comments

How I Became Hopeful About My Asperger's Diagnosis in College

5/20/2015

1 Comment

By Graham Silva

Graham with the WMIRA trophy

I've just finished my freshman year at Boston University.

Everyone worries about the transition to college life, especially when that college is over 500 miles from home. You have to start over in terms of friendships and routine, while maintaining your grades. For someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, this transition was more than just adjusting to the new environment; it also meant transitioning to the people who would live with me for the next four years.

1 Comment

AANE Listening Tour: Disclosing to Police

4/26/2015

1 Comment

By Paula Doherty

We were vacationing at a time-share condo complex a few years ago when our Asperger's (AS) son, Marc, was 15 years old. Marc is an attractive young man with an upbeat, positive and friendly personality. He is small in stature for his age, and often is more comfortable hanging out with younger kids who have similar interests.

His faux leather jacket, jeans, white t-shirt and emerging dark facial hair appearance could cause suspicion, but not to anyone who knows Marc. The parents of his younger friends have never expressed concern about Marc, except for his habit of leaving his bike, kayak, and fishing equipment out in their yards.

1 Comment

Welcome to AANE’s April Listening Tour

4/3/2015

3 Comments

By Erika Drezner

April has been designated Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. At this time when the rest of the world is focusing on Autism-AANE wants to take time to listen, to hear the voices of those living with this diagnosis and their loved ones.

3 Comments

How I Became Okay with Life Not Always Being Okay

3/19/2015

5 Comments

By Jacqui

I am a chronic worrier. Uncertainty terrifies me. Throughout my life I have asked a lot of questions – many of which begin with the frenzied words, “What if….?” I have also received a lot of answers. Many of which end with, “Don’t worry. It will be okay.”
But how can any of us know if it will be okay?

5 Comments

Parents, Let's Talk About Special Interests

2/9/2015

5 Comments

By Erika Drezner

A few years ago I was leading a parent of teen support group when a mother expressed her irritation with her son’s special interest, the Titanic. “The Titanic,” one father shot back, “I’d love to hear about that, I’m stuck with Pokemon.” At AANE we frequently hear parents’ complaints about special interests. We understand, it can be hard to live with someone else’s special interest. Some parents easily embrace their child’s interests, some find this a lot harder, but we have found that having more information about the purpose of special interests can make living with them easier.

5 Comments

What's It Like Having Asperger Syndrome?

1/15/2015

17 Comments

By Mia J. Salaz

The purpose of this piece is to share my experiences as a child with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). For those of you who don’t know what AS is, it is a condition that some people are born with. People with AS are usually incredibly smart and have creative, perceptive minds. Aspies (people with AS) usually have a few special interests that can get pretty intense. Sometimes, Aspies have a hard time discussing topics other than their special interests. AS can also impact how one functions in various social situations. More often than not, Aspies have a hard time coping with loud noises and bright lights. It can also be hard for Aspies to decipher the difference between a strict and a malicious tone of voice.

Because of all of the challenges Aspies face, it can be hard for us to make friends or interact with other people. With the help of my family, friends, doctors, and teachers, I am learning how to not only cope, but thrive, with Asperger’s Syndrome. I have been asked several questions about life with AS over the years, and I will now attempt to try and answer some of them.

17 Comments

<<Previous

The Only Teenager on the Planet Who is Not Having an Identity Crisis

Forgiving without Forgetting? Asperger's and Memory

Three Generations Working Together with Asperger's in the Family

Can Fiction Accurately Portray Asperger's and Autism?

How I Became Hopeful About My Asperger's Diagnosis in College

AANE Listening Tour: Disclosing to Police

Welcome to AANE’s April Listening Tour

How I Became Okay with Life Not Always Being Okay

Parents, Let's Talk About Special Interests

What's It Like Having Asperger Syndrome?

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