Our Aspergers Teenage Boy

Dad reports this morning:
Tommy awoke and got moving happily. His new antidepressant, Effexor, is working wonders! Of course, Mom and Dad have been working extra hard at reducing the yelling and working on positive reinforcement over negative so that could be helping too.

Dad reports last night:
The Asperger’s Support Group met last night with a good turnout. We have to learn how to make the conversation balanced in the group so that it never becomes any single person’s free therapy session because that is not what a support group is for. We had our first support group member related to an adult Aspie. I wish he could have had the floor more! His sister in England learned about the group on the Internet. I found that terribly exciting. I hope we were helpful.

Tommy found a study room in the library and read through the meeting. Prior to the meeting a boy and his mother (that I thought were part of the support group) stepped into the room to compliment Tommy. The boy said Tommy told him something to the effect that ‘reading made greatness’ (I can’t remember the words) and the mother said, “Your son is very smart and polite. I expect great things of him.” The boy was unable to check books out from the library as they were from Greenback TN and to use the library from outside the county cost $25 to get a library card. I was quite proud of Tommy.

Dad reports this morning:
Tommy got up on his own about 30 minutes after I gave him his medicine and took away covers and pillows.

He started in good spirits and left in mediocre spirits after I jumped his case. I took the dog out and spent some quality time with him which I think repaired some of the damage.

Mom reports:
Tommy’s Bathroom Rule #183
“I don’t bathe with anyone other than immediate family in the house.”

Tommy’s Bathroom Rule #26
“Soaking in the tub replaces the need for soap and/or shampoo.”

Tommy’s Bathroom Rule #65
“Sometimes it is necessary to completely empty the contents of the various shampoo bottles into the tub.”

Tommy’s Bathroom Rule #91
“Cologne replaces the need for soap and/or deoderant.”

Dad reports:
‘Waking must include a lengthy stretch as an excuse for my moaning (see Morning Rule #7) and to delay accepting my medicine.’

Dad reports:
‘Can wake only with bellowing moans since if I am up so shall be everyone else.’

Dad reports:
‘If subjected to dog feces inside the house, I will force myself to gag.’

Corollaries:
‘If you ask me to clean it, I will turn the gag into a pre-vomiting gag.’
‘If you persist with your insistance that this is no big deal and I should clean it anyway, you will have to clean poop and vomit.’

Remember, this is the child that until recently was regularly eatting his own boogers, can vomit on demand, and has done such gross things for attention that he has made adults queasy.

Dad reports:
“I don’t bathe unless I already have my clothes laid out.”

Dad reports this morning:
Tommy starts the day with a plate full of 5 scrambled eggs and some toast. Granted, by the time he got to it it was probably 4 scrambled eggs. So I require him to get dressed and go exercise and he complains at high volume “the doctor hasn’t put me on a diet yet” “I don’t want to” “I don’t like exercise” “I won’t!”

We’ve been asking the boys for days to clean up the yard and street of all the branches and sticks that fell from the storm. Tommy’s “exercise” was to actually do so. Instead he sat on the porch until bored then made one trip to the burn pile (no noticeable difference to the yard) and begged to come in since he “need[ed] a drink.” I gave him a choice “finish the yard or run the length of the street twice.” He chose the run and did surprisingly well despite is awkwardness and lack of fitness. I instructed him on proper warming down and he took the instruction well then came inside to get a drink. He remained in good spirits having only one angry outburst prior to being given a choice and I was impressed! An asperger child must always have choices to be able to remain in control!

So how are we to get the boys to collect the sticks? Threaten no swimming until its done? (that’s the best exercise Tommy gets..seems wrong)

Dad reports this morning:
Tommy woke and got himself going without the need for proding. Cheerfully went to school and has now returned in what sounds like a happy, energetic mood.

Yesterday
Tommy started his new antidepressant. Coincidentally he had a pretty good day. Now, the sideaffects of the new antidepressant started Monday seconds after the doctor explained the possible side affects so maybe Tommy just needs half a dozen sugar pills each day. His good day was not dimenished when I overstressed and got angry with him; he remained in good spirits.

Dad reports:
Tommy really turned it on for the doctor. Got the addition of a new antidepressant. Gave a slight indication that he may try to become obstinate about taking his medication.

Tommy in the first 15 minutes managed to demonstrate the highlights of his attitudes and behaviors for the past 6 weeks with sassiness, negative attitudes, noncompliance, disrespect and rolling on the floor.