Comments on: Asperger's at work: Why I'm difficult in meetings

By: Tynan

Tynan — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:59:17 +0000

I think saying what you feel in these parent teacher interviews is a good thing. Take interest in what they say but don't rely solely on this feedback. Its true kids can be different in front of teachers and others. At my school there was a kid who was always really nice to all the teachers, they loved him. But to the other kids he was a big bully. My parents mentioned this at the parent teacher interview and the teacher denied it being possible.

By: Liobov

Liobov — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:38:00 +0000

First of all, David Dellifield, really had it coming and you were absolutely right to to teach him a lesson. But that's another post.

Second, I neither have Aspergers or kids, but I would have been sounding exactly like you if I attended a parent/teacher conference. We've only got 15 min, so enough with the small talk and tell me what I really want to know. And handwriting?! Seriously?! How about teaching my kid some social skills instead!

I understand that Aspergers could be a great disability sometimes, I'm not trying to belittle your struggles. But I believe that it also gives you an unique perspective on things and your straightforward behavior is as much an asset as it a hindrance. Personally, I would love to be surrounded by people like you who can't help themselves but saying out loud the way they see things. So what if you are undiplomatic? You are not paid to negotiate with Iran, are you?

I think intelligent people should expect that others around them might not act or communicate the way they are accustomed to. We are all different, some people more than others. We should embrace the diversity instead of stifling it.

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:46:36 +0000

I was pretty amazed that the OT was so blatant about handwriting as well, since many kids are now receiving typing accommodations at schools. However, PT, it's not true that "any kid with OT in school qualifies to type on the SAT" – far from it. It's ridiculously difficult to qualify for a typewriting accommodation on the SATs. But, yes, IF a child is handwriting disabled to the point that they are still receiving OT when they are in 10th grade, they *might* qualify for typewriting on the SAT. We're not talking about your typical kid with handwriting difficulties, though, because those kids do NOT get OT services for handwriting, usually.

Here's an interesting recent article about handwriting and autism: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AutismNews/autistic-children-handwriting-biggest-challenge/story?id=9036125&page=3

I don't know if you read my blog, PT, but if you do, I'm going to be writing about handwriting in the next day or two, more about the SATs then.

Sara Gardner

By: Penelope Trunk

Penelope Trunk — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:38:54 +0000

Wow. This is amazing coming from a pediatric occupational therapist. Newsflash: Kids who have a very hard time learning to write have a very hard time learning lots of stuff. You have to start with triage. You have to start saying that some things you'll work really hard on and other things will not be as important. Are you seriously telling me about magnet schools in the context of special ed? Seriously? And the essay portion of the SAT? Any kid who qualifies for occupational therapy in school is not going to a magnet school because they'd lose their state-funded OT, and any kid with OT in school qualifies to type on the SAT.

Penelope

By: Pediatric occupational therapist

Pediatric occupational therapist — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:30:27 +0000

I just want to tell you that you are very much mistaken to think that mastering handwriting is a waste of time. It is a basic, necessary human skill. Children are required to write an enormous amount all during their schooling, and if they can't write well enough to express themselves fluently, they won't do well in school.

Your handwriting is a direct reflection of who you are. If you have poorly organized illegible handwriting because no one ever bothered to teach you, people are going to think that you have a poorly organized brain to go along with it. Here in New York, many of the tests that children are required to take, for example, to be admitted to certain magnet schools, are written by hand. So is the essay portion of the SAT.

By: What is Aspergers Syndrome? | Be a Behavior Changer

What is Aspergers Syndrome? | Be a Behavior Changer — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:08:55 +0000

[...] Asperger's at work: Why I'm difficult in meetings (penelopetrunk.com) [...]

By: Jodi

Jodi — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:25:12 +0000

I saw an article today about people with autism being hired on purpose. It's pretty interesting http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34047713

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:01:56 +0000

My 14 year old brother has Asperger's (and sometimes I think I'm a mild, undiagnosed case myself) and this describes him very well. He's a bright kid and always eager to please.
Keep on doing what you're doing and ignore the haters who label Aspie's as narcissists. They have no idea what they're talking about.

By: Self-Everything « The Good Life

Self-Everything « The Good Life — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:34:18 +0000

[...] but sometimes I run across things that really make me think. Like this recent article on Asperger's in the workplace…OMG! Those 4 things are me! Do I have [...]

By: Holly C

Holly C — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:54:40 +0000

I think you are much too hard on yourself. I don’t think you have to worry so much about what other people think of you or “guess” if you have autism (asperger’s is a form of autism). From what I’ve read about you from this blog, I think you are very aware of what your limitations (or deficits) are and you try to work on them, eg. House manager, etc. And don’t assume that this teacher is aware that you have asperger’s unless she is a special education teacher, most are not familiar with this “disorder” (people are so sensitive these days about calling asperger’s a disorder), some may be familiar with the definition of asperger’s but not how to work with / or treat kids/people with the disorder. And besides, most people need to becomes familiar with a new situation (school meetings) so they know what to expect the next time around.

You are successful and work hard at being a good mom, so give yourself some credit too!

From a blogger mom with two kids with autism!