Growing up in the 1960’s when nobody knew about Asperger’s syndrome, when it hadn’t even been officially accepted or even described by the AMA, was confusing and frustrating.
In my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, I talk about that frustration.
And if it was bad for me, I hesitate to think how tough it was for my parents to have an Asperger’s Syndrome child in an era when manners and social conformity meant everything.
Thank goodness now there are several organizations whose sole purpose is to guide parents and adult Aspies through the maze of diagnosis, treatment and general support.
Positive affirmation is the guiding principle.
I am impressed to read in the Autism Speaks website (www.autismspeaks.org) that many adult-diagnosed Aspies “make great strides by coupling their new awareness with counseling”.
The Autism Speaks website is a great resource, with it’s many articles and references. Especially popular is their Asperger Syndrome Tool Kit.
Included in that tool kit is Ellen Notbohm’s Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew. I wish my parents could have read it. Maybe your child feels that way, too.
And if you’re an adult with Asperger’s? Read it anyway. It can help you let your friends know how to help you.
Margaret Jean