Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I know some of you receive Parenting magazine because we have discussed some of the worthless articles before. There is one entitled " My (Im)perfect Child " by Abby Margolis Newman in the April, 2003 issue that set off alarms in my head. She describes her son who knew all of his letters before 2, counted to 20 by 2 1/2 and how baffled they were at his first parent-teacher conference in preschool when all the teachers wanted to talk about was his delayed toilet training and his lack of social interaction with classmates. He goes on to hitting other children with plastic bowling pins who invade his space, retreating into his own little fantasy world and lashing out at those who attempted to burst his bubble. He pretends to be a lion and won't speak to anyone who isn't pretending to be a lion, too. My God, the hair on the back of my neck raised up! It was MY son she was describing, and, like me, she was defending him. I couldn't help myself and fired off an e-mail at the site to caution that it might be more than that. Here's what I wrote: " Your April, 2003 article entitled " My(Im)perfect Child " really set off alarm bells in my head. Abby Margolis Newman's Jonah sounds just like my son Brandt, now age 7 years, during his preschool years. I, too, defended him at every turn as a brilliant, perfect child. However, Brandt was finally diagnosed at the age of 5 years with Asperger syndrome. It is possible for a child to know all of his letters before the age of two and read by the age of three years (mine did, too), but hyperlexia is often a sign of something different in the brain. Hitting and avoiding other children who don't play following " the rules " as established by the child, can be normal, but also may be a sign of social interaction difficulties. Singing song lyrics in place of conversation (perseverative scripting) is also a big red flag in spotting a child with this mild form of autism. Jonah very well may be imaginative, one-of-a-kind child. However, Ms. Margolis may want to consider that he also may be very similar to many " aspies " like my son who may need accomodations and interventions in order to lead a happy, productive life in the future. We, as parents, need to wipe away the blinders and " see " our child for what he or she really is. I know it is hard. It was hard for me, too. Maybe Jonah will benefit from his parents researching further into Asperger syndrome and hyperlexia. My son sure has benefitted from our admission of the realities about him. I wish I had come to the realization sooner. Just my humble opinion. " What do you'all think? Anybody else read it? Did I overreact? Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 > What do you'all think? Anybody else read it? Did I overreact? Good letter, Leggs. Didn't see the article, but now I'd like to. Jonah sounds like Enrique as a toddler too. Salli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Thanks, Salli. I wish I could find a link to the article, but it doesn't seem to have a link on parenting.com. It was really scary. I could have written that article four years ago. So sorry about Lou. Maybe he will get a quicker release for your sake (and the kids') I imagine that Enrique, Sophie, and are all cringing at the idea that their friends may find out. How awful for them...As much as he annnoys you, he does come in handy occasionally for respite care, doesn't he? So sorry ...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Leggs, I think you wrote a wonderful letter that sounds very informed and concerned without saying you were sure 'something' was wrong with her child. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 i haven't read the article leggs, but i think your letter is respectful and informed. well written. M.G.mum to Sebastian, 11 kinda quirky(NT) Rowan, 6 extra quirky (ASD) married to and living in Northern Ontario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I think it's wonderful you sent that email. Maybe other parents with aspie kids have too, and if enough of them come in, she might have to consider it before dismissing it. > > " Your April, 2003 article entitled " My(Im)perfect Child " really set > off alarm bells in my head. Abby Margolis Newman's Jonah sounds just > like my son Brandt, now age 7 years, during his preschool years. I, > too, defended him at every turn as a brilliant, perfect child. > However, Brandt was finally diagnosed at the age of 5 years with > Asperger syndrome. It is possible for a child to know all of his > letters before the age of two and read by the age of three years > (mine did, too), but hyperlexia is often a sign of something > different in the brain. Hitting and avoiding other children who > don't play following " the rules " as established by the child, can be > normal, but also may be a sign of social interaction difficulties. > Singing song lyrics in place of conversation (perseverative > scripting) is also a big red flag in spotting a child with this mild > form of autism. Jonah very well may be imaginative, one-of-a-kind > child. However, Ms. Margolis may want to consider that he also may > be very similar to many " aspies " like my son who may need > accomodations and interventions in order to lead a happy, productive > life in the future. We, as parents, need to wipe away the blinders > and " see " our child for what he or she really is. I know it is > hard. It was hard for me, too. Maybe Jonah will benefit from his > parents researching further into Asperger syndrome and hyperlexia. > My son sure has benefitted from our admission of the realities about > him. I wish I had come to the realization sooner. Just my humble > opinion. " > What do you'all think? Anybody else read it? Did I overreact? Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 >>>>>>> " My (Im)perfect Child " by Abby Margolis Newman in the April, 2003 issue that set off alarms in my head. <<<<<< Well, let's see..... >>>>> She describes her son who knew all of his letters before 2, <<<<< Jacqui >>>> counted to 20 by 2 1/2 <<<<< Jacqui (well, to 13 at 18 months...) >>>>>> ...... and how baffled they were at his first parent-teacher conference in preschool when all the teachers wanted to talk about was his delayed toilet training and his lack of social interaction with classmates. <<<<<< Jacqui >>>>> retreating into his own little fantasy world <<<<< Jacqui Hmmmmm...what exactly did she think was going on? (didn't read the article) Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 I just read the article. I'm in total agreement with you. I think the mother is so defensive of other's comments about her child b/c deep down she knows something is off with her child. It's a hard thing to admit, isn't it? I just hope she takes her son to get evaluated and then writes another article for Parenting to educate parents of the symptoms of autism!!! Rhonda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 She is just commenting that she never saw those things as problems until the teacher pointed them out and then she was offended. Now, she just thinks they see him differently than she does. I see him as HFA or Aspergers, how about you? Sounded just like Brandt...I didn't want to see it either...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 I think she may be in for a rude awakening. Penny Re: Parenting article She is just commenting that she never saw those things as problems until the teacher pointed them out and then she was offended. Now, she just thinks they see him differently than she does. I see him as HFA or Aspergers, how about you? Sounded just like Brandt...I didn't want to see it either...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Thanks, Rhonda! I am glad someone who actually read the article and not just my version of it felt the same way. That article scared me...It sounded so like me four years ago. Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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