Anyone else here an Aspie?

If so, I'd love to start an off-topic discussion...

-Do you feel pets are therapeutic for Aspergers? If so, how? Why a chi in particular?
-Are you more visually, mathematically, or musically oriented? Other? How do you use this to your advantage?
-What is your career field? Are you satisfied with your job or career? Have you struggled with this area due to Aspergers?
-Does anyone else in your family have Aspergers or an autism-spectrum disorder?
-What do you think is the best thing about having Aspergers?

Thank you!!! I REALLY appreciate input!

... (I'll be brave and answer my own questions in the next post to get the ball rolling.)




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I was a school bus monitor for 'special' children for 5 years. We had a few that had Aspergers on the bus. Teenager. He, unfortunately, used it as an excuse to misbehave. He was very intellegent. His doctor had recommended a pet, and he had a bird that he adored. When he would get very upset, I'd try and sideline him by asking about "sunshine' his bird. Worked well, if I caught him soon enough. He also had a family dog.

I am not but I have 3 children and my youngest son Nick is 14 and he has Asperger's along with some other dx's in there. He also has ADD and LD's. He loves the dogs and Holly takes to him well. She will sleep with him and he is so loving and gentle with her. She has helped him out alot being there for him and does not judge him or annoy him in any way. He is always worried about her since she has a heart issue as well. He is more a hands on visual learner. He knows lots of facts learns better from visual than books and his strongest subject is Science. He is still a little young as far as working he does not like to do alot and is not very social so not sure how that will come into play later on. Right now our focus is getting him through school which has been so far a very up and down experience. He has done his best these past 2 years at a special school that only caters to children on the Autism spectrum.

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~Jenn~

~Siggy compliments of Caitlin aka LittleGemma~

my son 9 is, animal mad, but says will never be a vet, as he wouldnt put an animal to sleep. he has a different favourite every week
he is high functioning and is projecting 148
excells with maths
aspergers never gets in his way,
always 1st to put his hand up.
loves science
and is very affectionate

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R.I.P My sweet Cody. xxxxx

my grandson has it, and my grandaughter wants a dog and my grandson said it could go live in the forest. NOT a good idea. He is a hand full! I honestly think he would harm an animal. He is 11 yrs old. He pops off his mouth and complains about being bullied. I think a lot of it was inherited from my ex, 'smart mouth'. My daughter sure has her hands full , I would not want to be in her shoes.
pam in TX

My nephew and my other half are both on the autistic spectrum. My nephew was not diagnosed until he was 8 which is really quite late for ASD but also has dyspraxia and dyslexia which complicated matters. He does really well. He's 14 now and he understands it, he knows what he needs and he knows how to manage it. When he gets tired or people purposely wind him up he can let it get the better of him, but in school he is good at knowing when to leave the room for a few minutes to calm down. He also loves science and is very good at it. I love the way he thinks because he looks at the world differently and often comes up with solutions that none of us would even think of. His father has a lot of the same traits but refuses to address it. My sister uses my nephew's ASD as an excuse for bad behaviour. Often he will rebel against his brother who taunts him and then he is the one that gets the blame for the behaviour because she can attribute it to his ASD where as she has nothing to blame if his brother is naughty. Because of this she is quick to blame him for everything even if she doesn't know who started it or who was in the wrong. He is doing very well with it considering the little support he gets at home.

My other half has never been formally diagnosed. I have a psychology degree and I suggested that he might have it. He spoke to our doctor who confirmed it but nothing is down in writing as he is working in law and having a formal diagnosis effects what he can do as a lawyer. He is high functioning and is higher than average intelligence.

I think pets are great for young children with ASD as it can teach them empathy, have something to relate to, something to watch that you have to pay attention to non verbal cues with and learning about another living thing with feelings and the responsibility it brings. I think all children, but particularly those with ASD step up when given responsibility. In terms of everyone a dog is great in terms of being able to stroke them to relieve stress and anxiety and also the tactile feel can be a focus to help block out outside stimulation. Also if they find it hard to relate to people or are lonely in any way a dog can be a great outlet and someone to relate to and receive love from, particularly without feeling judge for being different.

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Thanks for the responses! I tried to reply several times on my laptop but my keyboard is messed up since tea got spilled on it... Will re-write what I've tried to post soon.


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