attempting to answer Barb and rambling

[Guest guest]

Hello to everyone. Barb had asked if my 13 year old with AS is

mainstreamed. Yes, Mitch is, but he goes to the resource room during

study hall for extra help, organizing, and this has not been much

help this year, the tutor is new and I'm having to teach her about

AS.Last year was his best of all, his tutor was fantastic and really

understood him.So we're back to D's in English which is hardest for

him now that he's in 8th grade. The papers they require are very hard

for him- he doesn't get why a character did something, doesn't

comprehend what their motivation is, but can memorize this info if it

is given to him. Arg! He actually does very well at school for a kid

with his challenges. He has 1 real friend, and another boy that he

gets togethjer with occasionally,that I moniter closely, since this

other kid is pretty sophisticated and is full of ideas that Mitch

will follow without thinking. He even played football but this was

not without problems-getting along with the jock mentality- I respect

athletes but can't stand jocks, if you know what I mean. He is too

sweet, got in trouble for helping a kid from another team get up

after a play was over and the coach screamed in his face " Don't EVER

help the other team " . Mitch thought he was hurt, but that doesn't

matter in jockdom. Plus this year they used him for his size-

6'1,220, defensive tackle, brutal position. Mitch said he played

because he wanted some respect and everyone talks about how big he is

so he didn't want to be made fun of and called a pussy by the jocks.

Which does go on- football is a big deal here (not in our house but

in our town). Next year at high school I hope he doesn't play cause

there's alot of lockerroom hazing that goes on, it is plain cruel,

and silently sanctioned by the coaches. He has a computer geek mind

in this big giant body that is not done growing, he takes after my

mom's side, would have been better off being on the small side like

me.

Sorry to digress, here are some thoughts on stuff that people have

been writing about. I am name challenged- there are so many, sorry if

this seems impersonal.

1. To keep poop in diapers I used to put them on backwards- Stevie

(6, HFA) only was aware of the front of himself that he could see in

the mirror. He still is not trained, has encropsis,(oh Penney this is

hard I sympathize), just got medicine from the gastro and was told to

hold off trying to train him til its not painful anymore.

2.Both my boys headbanged, Mitch in times of frustration and

tantrums, he outgrew it thank God. Stevie only did it on the T.V.

when watching his favorite videos. Finally this year he said " how do

I get in there? " and we realized he was trying to go into the T.V.

This stopped immmediately after we explained. !!!

3.Does anyone know of a super sturdy ballpit that won't break and

will even allow an adult sized child to get in? I think one would be

very good for Stevie but I know Mitch would want to play in it too.

Well heck, so would I!

4.Strangely enough, I am a Theology major with just 4 classes to go

before I'd get my Bachelor's. These classes are Phys. Ed. and 2

foreign language classes, which I am afraid of and hopeless at, so

what does this say about me? Hardy har har- like I will ever finish

now and get my master's in counseling children- ba ha ha- I can just

live it every day at home! Not bitter just ironic.

5. I can't let Mallory type for me cause I swear and say stuff that

is inappropriate sometimes! And it feels too good to give up! So

merrily I one finger along.(Yes I had my sister and friends type for

me in college).

Thanks and will try to post more but I promise shorter ones.

mom to Mallory,15, NT

Mitch,13, AS

Stevie,6,HFA

Ramones fan

Does anyone else besides an oldster like me remember the Buzzcocks?