Comments on: Things Are Not Always As They Seem

By: dynamite girl

dynamite girl — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:01:57 +0000

We have our own name for A-dar(but I like your name more). We call it the couch diagnosis. We have 5, family members on the spectrum. When you live with Autism you began to become acutely aware of it’s signs in others. Sometimes even before parents have noticed. I taught a class of 2 and 3 year olds. The class had about 13 kids in it, 2 of the kids striked me as having autisic tendencies. I was friends with both of the moms. It was hard conversations to have. Since then one has been diagnosed at PDD-NOS. The other little girl still struggles with many of the Autisic charcterstics but, her mother…oh how do I put this nicely…is in severe denial. She is 5 will start school in a week, I worry for her.

By: rhemashope

rhemashope — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:39:36 +0000

(sheepish grin). i’ve done that, too. i go around diagnosing people in my head all the time!
sounds like a special, reflective time for you with your bro and sis. love it!

By: nicki

nicki — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:44:41 +0000

I have A-Dar too, I think, just from working with kids with autism for so long and from my own Aspergers experience. Its definitely awkward when you’re certain a kid has an autism spectrum disorder of some sort, but you have to keep it to yourself because the kid isn’t actually diagnosed with it!
Anyway it sounds like you had a nice trip to your hometown!

By: Holly

Holly — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:21:18 +0000

What a nice start to your vacation: going back home with your family, seeing old sites, and talking by your grandfathers gravestone, it kind of grounds you in a way!!?

By: Paulene Angela

Paulene Angela — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:17:19 +0000

I like the term “A-dar”, although sometimes I wish mine would switch off, I do not want to pre-judge, but after all the years it’s built in.

I had this feeling a few days ago when I saw a famous celeb’s photo of her twins, something inside of me said “oh”, then I get mad and tell myself to stop, Paulene switch it off. I should keep mum because as someone mentioned before, you never can tell and as you rightly mentioned “sometimes things are not always as they appear to be”.

By: M

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:58:02 +0000

i just would have been excited by the possibility of icre cream.

Actually, I do the reverse version of this. I wonder if people apply any AS-like labels to me. I’m usually incognito, hiding behind social mechanics, but in groups, especially meetings at work, I can really struggle. and i wonder how people interpret certain things. maybe i can just start distracting people with ice cream. “here. free ice cream!” and then i’m in the clear.

By: Lex Savko

Lex Savko — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:09:17 +0000

Hey, that picture turned out nice! Too bad my hair’s such a mess. It sure was wonderful having you over. I can’t wait to read more about Nepal!

By: Sheri

Sheri — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:24:31 +0000

Making us, as always, think more and look harder…mostly at ourselves. What a great perspective!

By: Kia (Good Enough Mama)

Kia (Good Enough Mama) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:50:10 +0000

Ha! Having that “certainty” disproved (is that a word?) is what keeps us humble, right?

Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time with your family. How awesome that you took photos of your “old” houses. What a great idea!

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:57:08 +0000

I was just in Whittier last week, drove by your old place. I always think of you when I head through HH. I am really looking forward to hearing more about your trip - it sounds fascinating!