Our Aspergers Teenage Boy

Dad reports:
Tommy apparently had a blast at the birthday party. He is now happy but has that energy about his as if he can’t decide if he wants to be in control and happy or slip out of control or just beg for attention. He’s mostly chosing to do things that get him attention: noises, obnoxiousness, etc.

Dad reports this morning:
Tommy is with his grandfather and will be going to a birthday party from 10-noon. This is exciting!

arcite makes a good point in his comment that “AS [can be] tiring and “blogs are a good way to blow it all off.” He asks “What is Tommy good at?” Mom is better at these answers than I am and I am a little rushed at the moment; however, his question has had me thinking all morning on it.

Tommy excels at reading. Some have suggested that he is just speeding through the book mechanically and not comprending. I do not concur. Tommy not only understands but I believe it becomes an escape for him and that he totally submerges himself into the story. I believe that if you could peak into Tommy’s mind you would see that he is not reading but interacting as one of the characters. I do think that if he did not read so fast he could get even more out of the book.

Tommy reads people very well. He quickly learns your weaknesses and what buttons he can push to get to you. This would be an exceptional management or sales person trait if used correctly.

Tommy can lie so well that he believes the lie himself. I’m not sure how to put a positive spin on that one.

Tommy can be incredibly kind and gentle. There are moments where Tommy does put aside trying to be the center of the universe and actually puts his siblings ahead of himself, or has compassion for someone or something he’s seen on the news. All adults that meet him say “he is such a sweet boy.”

Tommy plays video games like nobody’s business. I read that video gamers make good surgeons. Granted, I probably would not want Tommy operating on me but that’s a skill that could certainly find multiple applications.

Tommy is exceptional with animals. He has always been able to pick up feral cats without reprecussion and the animals take to him as he takes to the animals.
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Tommy is at his best. For the most part now-a-days he acts just like most young teenage boys would. His maturity level is still below age but he is growing.