GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Living with Autism is hard! Living with teenagers is hard... put the two together, and sometimes you want to scream and tear your hair out!!!!!

And, I'm not trying to lessen anyones burdens or make light of a difficult situation... but sometimes I can't help but wonder if living with High Functioning Autism is almost worse.... Why do I make this claim??? Well, because, with some "issues" it might be easier to acknowledge that there are issues and one remembers it better I think. With the HFA, people seem more capable and "normal" (for the lack of a better word or term...) and it's easier to forget about the things they just can't do..

The unfortunate problem, in my experience, is topping it off when there are simple ways of tricks or tools one can implement in order to lessen the burden for all involved, and not everyone involved are on board... That makes it REALLY REALLY HARD!!! Not to mention frustrating!!!

Now of course, everyones' experience is different and unique, and I only claim my personal experience with this disorder and living with it!

To start of with, let me tell you what Aspergers is:

Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Children with Asperger's syndrome typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics.

Doctors group Asperger's syndrome with other conditions that are called autistic spectrum disorders or pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders all involve problems with social skills and communication. Asperger's syndrome is generally thought to be at the milder end of this spectrum.

Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:

Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking.

Dislike any changes in routines.

Appear to lack empathy.

Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech. Thus, they may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally.

While there's no cure for Asperger's syndrome, if your child has the condition treatment can help him or her learn how to interact more successfully in social situations.

Now, of course this is just in technical terms. And with each individual it reveals itself differently, and at different times/ages.

For me, living in a house with one definite and three possible Aspies, life can get pretty rocky.. and sometimes downright depressing! So I have to remind myself that this is a real proper issue and to be more patient... But BOY is it HARD!!!!