Welcome to Haydn's World

Re-broadcasted from "Haydn's World"

Where we subscribe to the philosophy: 'The autism spectrum is entirely too serious to be taken seriously.'

Welcome to Haydn's World...

 My son is way too cute to be my kid.
My wife says she sees me in him, but I only see Daddy when he is about to get into trouble. He gives me a little sideways glance and a crooked smile, the "Imp Face," and I feel like I'm looking in a mirror. (One that makes me appear to be much better looking and significantly younger, of course) Otherwise I don't see it. He is four years old, wicked smart, silly beyond silly, probably quite a bit like most of the kids you know or have known. Except for one thing. His "super power," as we like to call it. He has Asperger Syndrome (AS from now on, to avoid embarrassing typos).

 I am not going to spend 500 words trying to give you a detailed definition of AS... Just Google it, read a hundred articles about it - then I'll show you a kid nothing like the ones you read about. Once you've met one kid with Asperger Syndrome... you've met one kid with Asperger Syndrome. Just like any other child, mine didn't come with a handbook, and I haven't found one in any book store.
 Here is what you need to know for now: Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder on the higher end of the autism spectrum. Kids with AS tend to exhibit serious deficiencies in social and communication skills. They can also play piano with their feet, and are very adept at juggling and like to watch gladiator movies. OK, that last part may not necessarily apply to all Aspies, but I just wanted to see if you were still reading.
Some important things to understand right from the get go:
  • I am not an expert on AS. I am not trying to tell anyone how to raise a child with AS.
  • I like to write, and my life has a little extra flavor from time to time, so I am going to fill up pages and pages with my rambling nonsense for the enjoyment of anyone who wants to take a look.
  • Everything I write about is personal: My life, my family. No preaching. No Aspie whisperers here. I am not claiming to be the man with the answers.  
  • I am not going to ramble on about all the folks in history who MAY have had AS (funny how they are always of major historical significance, it's never the royal piss boy, or ye olde poop sweeper).  
  • I am just a dad raising a little boy who is a treasure to behold, and I feel like sharing my experiences. He is an amazing kid... who just happens to have Asperger Syndrome.
Also, a warning: If you are of the politically correct way of thinking, or are particularly sensitive about anything, thanks for stopping by, but you don't belong here.
I am not shy about poking fun at myself, my life, or anything that floats across my radar. Anything. I mean it. Anything.
Being a parent of an Aspie is just like being a parent of any other kid. There is only one difference. EVERYTHING. Just kidding. This is all I know, as far as being a parent goes, so there is nothing different, or unusual about it.
My son is definitely living way out in left field, and my wife and I along with him, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I hope it will be as entertaining to read about as it has been to live it.
By the way, if anything I write here helps a parent with a child like mine, that would be great. But that would be a "happy accident," as the late, great Bob Ross used to say. I have no plan or outline for this little endeavor. I just want to tell some stories.

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Tags: Asperger's, Autism, Disorder, Humor, Parenting, Spectrum, Syndrome, disorder, humor, inspiration, More…language, pragmatic, processing, sensory, skills, social

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