asnhost

Is disclosing your AS something you do/recommend others do? Do you disclose it only to select people, or is specific situations while not others? Anecdotes and points of view welcome!

dalcassian

I figure that if I talk about this to other people it would totally undermine their trust in me, and that I would lose all social support that I have.

The way I imagine it is that many of the people who do business with me would get the impression that I was "some kind of retard" and not do any more business with me.

Then I would be completely broke and unable to provide for my wife and children, and they would leave me. I wouldn't be able to move back in with my parents, because my father is dead and my mother's new husband doesn't like me. I would go back out to the woods and become a hunter/gatherer again, which would go fine for a while.

Then the depression would come back and I would stop eating and taking care of myself and eventually die of exposure to the elements, a long way from anyone who might know or care.

The people who had been my family would occasionally wonder about me and never know what had happened. My unmourned spirit would wander confused on the earth forever, and the lore passed down to me from the generations since time out of mind would be utterly lost.

the frost would crack my skeleton and mice would make a nest in my skull.

Anyway, I thank the very gods who made me that I avoided early detection and intervention, because then everyone would have known before I had any control over the situation. Also, I am grateful to my parents and my tribe for steadfastly insisting that there was nothing wrong with me. This made things harder in the moment, sure, but it allowed me to grow up and have a normal life and not always be prejudged by my community.

deeslexia

Hmm . I do tell work colleagues 'cos they should understand why I can't do quite what others do - socialise / join in etc ... this is 'cos NTs as much as ASdee get unsure if they can't work someone out .
But , generally , I am who I am - it's immaterial if I have Gender or ASD '' issues '' - it's outside the context of the workplace .
I had a nervous breakdown when I came out iwith all this and d...n near lost everything .
Never again ... look at it this way - I KNOW , mostly that's enough for me to cope .

James168

I have told all of my employers, that I have AS. I was involved in a situation, where I had to call the police. The officer taking my statement asked me why I seem "on edge", and not making eye contact. I disclosed my having AS with him. I only disclose if the situation warrants my doing so, or I trust theat person enough to do so.
Big Hugs to all........................James

[Updated on 5/3/2009 3:41 PM]

dalcassian

Also, what I have is actually autism with a normal/high IQ (normal meaning I'm good at taking tests). This maybe isn't the same thing as "AS"; Or, depending on whom one asks, maybe it is.

deeslexia

I have a normal IQ too ... I have no formal diagnosis , it's just that Autistic Spectrum Disorder is the only '' pattern / logic '' that I recognise as '' LIKE ME ''
That's good enough for me

sarita

hi,everybody, i agree with dalcassian,that knowing the condition of a ASD person undermine the trust of others in them. I experienced it many times. my son is very intelligent, and well responsive. Whenever i told any person to whom he would interact, their attitude totally changed, some started behaving with him like he is retarted, or they undereastimate his knowledge, his normal being ,even object on his normal child like (Oh he is only 11y) behavior. Some give me foolish advises and also many times he get accused to that deeds which other childern do, only be;caus they know that he is the child with problem( what problem , that they never bother to understand). So now i am more carefull to disclose his dx choosing words like Attention deficit,hyperactive which are rather symptoms?? of asd so that a normal persom can understand and can relate with a normal child and will take my child normal with only seeing his problem as normal. word Autism asperger give them shock thinking somthing very high problem in a ASD child.

[Updated on 5/5/2009 2:27 AM]

tachtick

I have mixed feelings/opinions on this. I see Sartias experience and recognize the reactions and stupidity of others. When I was in college I tried to work without telling exactly what my issues were and that did not work. When I told one prof he gave me one exam in person(for witch I aced) but was either too stupid or lazy to help me again in that way. My son has issues and if I mention them to other parents they just shy away. hmmmmmm. I know I am quite a forward person and that scares people off but I find most people afraid to learn and accept others that are not the norm(easy to understand because there is nothing they need to learn)

amidoo

My therapist hasn't actually formally written my diagnosis as Asperger's because she said I might not want that paper trail and the repercussions. That pretty much told me that it's not something to happily share with anyone who comes along! Fortunately I work in a community college where some weirdness is the norm. I don't want any mice nesting in my skull before my time. ;)

marysue

good grief - is the NT world still really that intolerant? I really am gobsmacked at how naive i am that i still get astounded that people will react in such unelightened ways

i am massively lucky to work in a department where we are all a bunch of freaks, and frequently laugh at one anothers idiosyncracies. I am truely astonished that you would face discrimination in a job you had already proved you could do.

incredible

dalcassian

Labels mean a lot to people. Even regualr socail ones, like if someone says "I'm a democrat" or "I'm a republican", it will really bring up strong reactions and an entire constellation of associations for most people, who will be thinking "Oh, I know what you're going to be like".

It's even more intense with a medical label, because it means that a person is unsound in some very specific way. Not a first-rate human being, but a person with something wrong with them. Intellectually, we all understand that everyone has something wrong with them; but that is vague enough to be non-threatening. A specific medical condition, though, is surely very significant.

A psychiatric label is the worst kind. This means that there is something wrong with your psyche, your soul, not just your condition but who you are. Would you let your child spend the night with a mentally ill person? would you trust a person with a mental disorder to fix your car? how about to prescribe medicine for you? many people wouldn't feel comfortable with that idea.

In the DSM II, which was a book about mental disorders, it listed "homosexuality" as a disorder. After a lot of campaigning on the part of the gay community, this was changed. It's not that the nature of homosexuality changed, or that life became instantly easier for gay people in any other way; but they didn't want it to be considered a "disorder", because it impacted how their community viewed them.

I don't think that the autistic community is really very well served by the way autism is viewed as a "disease" or "disorder". I think that it's a way of existing in the world that is harder in the context of society, but that's all. Take away the societal reaction, and what's left? A perfectly competent human organism. Everything about it-- the nonverbal part, the difficulties holding a job, the eye contact, the meltdowns, are mostly just a problem because of how culture responds to them. And the self-injury and other stimming behaviours are mostly just because of how autistic people respond to the culture around them.

When I was smaller, people who knew how different I was did bad things to me. They thought they could get away with this because I didn't talk much and didn't respond in the way other kids would have. Now that I'm an adult, I can usually choose to act just like a regular human. I don't want anyone to think of me as "easy prey" ever again.

bigsis

I haven't read every entry above, just some and I have a question. My brother is an Aspie, I'm the one that brought it to his attention and he agrees and is most grateful to know why he's been different his whole life. However, there are people, relatives mostly that ignore him at gatherings then talk very badly about him behind his back. They don't know about his having AS and I'm wondering if I should tell them when I hear them talk. I'm so sick of people thinking badly of him and I know they'd treat him with better if they knew he isn't intentionally rude or inappropriate. SHOULD I TELL THEM?

selkie

Dalcassion - I've just been reading the recent exchanges. I'm so-oo-o with your responses. I too think - hell - I'll just take to the woods when I'm on the receiving end of yet another package of invasive and insensitive criticisms. Bravo

Tivah Brown

bigsis, ask your brother if he would like you to notify others that he has aspergers. If he says yes I'd try to find a uniform way to notify everyone at the same time (possibly in the same manner) such as a mass email or a photocopied letter written to all or a personal note to each written individually. It doesn't matter so much how but letting them all know at the same time (assuming he wants that) would alleviate other family issues such as, "Well how long have you known? They only told me last week. Why did they tell you two months ago."

We have had to do this in our family with the diagnoses of my siblings and the suicide of a sibling. I have one with schizophrenia, one with bipolor, one who committed suicide and one who attempted twice and failed both (to the amazement of emergency room folks considering what she took).

We have a large family and my parents wanted to make sure we all found out around the same time so no one felt any silly feelings about not seeming mature enough to handle it, not seeming important enough to be told first, and so on.

HTH,
Tivah

James168

Advising others to having an ASD is like a double edged sword. Forward edge, you have trust in a person enough, or you have a situation that warrants your sharing it. If you have a clear chance to do so, I would advise doing just that. On the Aft edge, there are those who are ignorant, and will even try to play on what they see as a weakness. An ASD doesn't mean a weakness. The Ignorance of that other person is a weakness.
Ultimately, tell them, and let their ignorance, be their loss.

Big Hugs............................James

arrose100

During an interview I mention AS in terms of my skills and limitations, I don't mention it by name. Afterwards I find a good HR person and have a chat. This is all assuming you have been diagnosed. If you haven't been it's usually the first question from HR. Once they know it's a legitimate issue then they will cut you slack.

I like the partner language she used. We get in trouble without meaning to, and in a work environment you need a little help. If it becomes apparent then I tell the people I work wih or for. I try to tell as few people as possible unless it really shows.

My family knows, and if someone wants to be my friend, they get to know. That's how I know they are a friend :-)

Rich Shull

Sadly , (finger pointing at my self) we are pretty obvious, no need to announce the issue- they all assume your Rain Man anyway once you tell them... Thankfully I have made a good impression with former employers and even got a few letters of recommendation from them. I am far enough along in my carear now that I kind of have a 'reputation' . Still when I go for a low end job I don't bother to tell.

Aspie hero and Father of the Computer Alan Turing (1912-1954) was indeed very off and stange and despite all his "Geekness" The British Secert Service and The FBI here in America all worked with him as he developed the computer. He had full Top Secert Access to all kinds of places and secerts on BOTH sides of the pond. (Alantic) . He walked freely threw all kinds of places and even in the president's office. He hob knobed with Churchill/ Rosevelt and the presidents of Bell Labs and RCA . It was noted in The Enigma he was oddest strangest "smartest" person and his social ways even floored Churchill. ( that says a lot, It took a lot to rattle Churchill). Still someone seen the genuis to his ideas and the need for his expertise was despriate. Autism was not known back then but that is what it was.

They noted in The Enigma, when he was here in America he walked the halls of Bell Labs and like a tape recorder said MORNING ,MORNING to everyone in the he passed in the Hall with out looking at them---- Sounds like Autism's lack of eye contact to me.

He ended up making the first computer (called a Bombie) in his flat. He had some parts made and took them all to his flat and assembled the first computer there. The Fact he was Gay and this was 1940's & 50's ( very homophopic) ment not many spies were going to spy. Besides it was also noted time and again no one understood him anyway. I bet he would confuse a spy. (we all might)

His computer and his work is all over the history channel but, it is termed British Secert service work , Just imagine if they had to give credit to a Autistic Gay Man for ending WWII? It was Turing's Computer that broke the war cyphier codes that did it.

I wonder If today in the advent of diagnosis that no one would give him the time of day, let alone work with him. Rich

sarita

certainly you are right ,Rich , when you announce the issue - they assume you Rain Man anyway once you tell them...I stricly do not advice to tell those people who do not understand the matter, not even ask favour for you or your ward( an ASPEII).There is no use in conversing in French if other person do not understand French.I agree many times you need to get help and to make conditions better for your child( in school, playground etc) you have to disclose his problem, but only to those who need to be ( his class teacher, his fast friend, our family members etc).You disclose 'the matter' in which way and to which extend,does make the sense,thus who will understand the matter best will helpin that way, and others who would be told only some points( what they can understand) would take easy and adjust Aspeiis in better way( without making issue of AAUUUTIsm).I did that and still doing . in my social circle all type of person are ther , so i tackle them as they are( about my childs dx),I even interact will his peer and casually tell them about his weak points(not giving stress adn using words with not so strong sense) and ask them to help him. most of the time i get positive responce.YES his teachers , our close relative know his problem ( even some question his intelluct and surprise that he is well informed and alert, as they think his problem is psycic-may i give him TONY ATTWOODS book?? Do they really interested to know??OOPh, sorry better to leave on them

secoundly, confidence of an aspeii will boost up seeing that ,his problem is not huge ( other wise every people will mention in front of him and give remarks)so it does;nt matterif he is getting some problem in social adjustment . HI, BIGSIS, this is the point which i want to tell you about your post.Ditch all the comments of those relative , if they are not sensitive now then they will never bother even after knowing the dx of your brother, but a sense of pity or bagfull of advises will follow, even his normal activities will be postmortemed whether they are activies of sick person or not.SORRY for so harsh words but , what to do? world is so. yes you can help your bro recognizing social clues and so on, and when he will be comfortable in his weak field( to some extend) the relatives will automatically change their views. Yes some close relatives who are really caring may get informed.

[Updated on 5/6/2009 1:34 AM]

Rich Shull

Autism is definatly and inside thing, if you really need to deal with it, effectively.

You, can't unring a bell once it's rang so unless your prepard for all kinds of 'helpfull advise
" and can tolerate the 'help' your bound to get ,your better off in many respects keeping quiet. <just my thoughts> best Rich

christine

My son has ASD, and has never really conveyed how he wants his views disclosed to others. I always get the impression that he wants to just sweep it under the carpet and one day it might disappear.
I disclose it to others for him as he would find it difficult, because of his communication skills. He does not mind me doing this for him, as long as he knows before hand.
We are all different on how to deal with it......its human nature.

Mum2oneboy

I have a NT child. who is very gentle, articulate, and intellligent. His two best friend so far both have strong aspergers tendencies (one diagnosed, one not). In both cases all the other parents are aware of these child"s differences, in the social environment. I am OK about my son choosing his own friends, and a "diagnosis" will not change that. The parents who want to choose their child's friends will intervene, even without the official "label/diagnosis". Just do & say whatever you & your child are comfortable with.

ymms36

I only disclose my son's condition if I want to get some good information and if I know that the person I'm talking to is going to point me in the right direction, otherwise I don't think is important.

Ben Rivera

Hi everyone,
I cannot advise you what to do exactly. I have a son who has asperger and we never told anyone except the immediate family and no one bothered to ask for more information about the condition. They know something is not right sometimes but because my son is a trully wonderfull person and does not lie, everyone jus treat him the same. During the his early age, and everytime he had questions, we would discuss it with him but only saying that everyone is different and there is no perfect person and also that each one of us has some form of disabilities. We do these to improve his self confidence and in fact he graduated with honors in Environemental science and is now doing well as a consultant. What we didn't do was talk to a professional doctor not even get a referral. What happended next was something everyone didn't seen coming. My son was doing straight men are doing. He evern tried courting some girls but had a hard time showing his feelings. He ended up being treated as a very good friend. After all on that and being abused my his male cousin, he got confused with his sexuality and without telling anyone of his problem decided 18 months ago that it is easier to be Gay. We now facing a situation where in we have to convinced him that he could be wrong and question his decision. We might have to undo all the things we did to build up his confidence and tell him otherwise. All I can say is We should have told everyone particularly his friends so much so that if they notice something strange, they can alert us. We are also close to his friends. I hope it is not too late as yet.

There is nothing wrong in telling people about the condition.

Ben

Tivah Brown

I can see where you feel he is confused by others reactions to him. However, I have to say I don't think that this can cause someone to chose same sex preference. I can see where he might want to be a loner or feel unliked and misunderstood. But to chose same sex intimacy seems more than just "easier". I think he truly prefers it.

Many people have been misunderstood. Many people with disabilities have been abused. Sexuality is a choice. Friendships with males...feeling better understood by males...all of that would certainly be natural due to his experiences. Sexuality is a choice....a preference.

He may not even be able to see it himself yet or say it to you. He may see your disapointment and not want you to know he has a preference.

I agree telling people is good. It can even the playing field at school if teachers and other adults know what's up. Plus to some kids, it seems you are hiding something, like it's a bad thing they "have". In your case Ben, you were able to help him develop confidence and understand that all people have disabilities of sorts and that worked out beautifully for you. I have just read where some felt their parents were ashamed or embarrassed and didn't tell for this reason.

I know you didn't like hearing what i wrote above. I do hope you'll give it some thought. I could be totally wrong. You know him better than anyone.

Tivah

Damo1974

For me, its definitely a timing and trust thing. Only last night did I tell my best friend and my old training partner. My besty walled it off and I made a mental note that it was a topic that he was not interested in. But I was relieved that I had shared. Bambi (my name for my old training partner he was 97kg beefcake too) looked blankly and asked. Whats that. I told him social awkwardness with some of the abilities of rainman. he asked like what? I merely replied numbers sequences and a partial eidetic memory. Ohhhh coool!

But at work I have told only those that I need to tell. The others I joke that I go rainman on stuff. They know I do so they give me stuff to pull apart. Basically they now know that if they give me something, I'll find any discrepancy and inaccuracy listed. The downside is that whilst I enjoy "dissasembling" I can sometimes over disassemble and burrow/nest. So now I am told to only go partial rainman on it and get the main issues.

Thanks guys now you've got the "He's going to tell." song from Monty Pythons Holy Grail going through my head. ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tivah Brown

Ha Ha Ha You crack me up Damo. I sure enjoy your posts. Wish I knew you in person.

Rachel Marie Wisdom

in letting people/coworker know about having this As I have mixed feelings. I did not let my first job know bc i was ashamed and did not want to be treated differently. When they found out they basically shunned me. So when I took my second job I let my boss know and she did not want to hire me bc of it. And to this day and i have been there 3 years she lets me know daily that is what she did and she regrets hiring me bc of it. My assistant manager knows how to deal with me on a better level and it makes the boss mad. she thinks i should be like everyone else and i am not. Just today she rubbed it in my face that i should not be there bc of my inabilities and she should have let me go bc of this. I do not know how to deal with this. I break down everytime she talks down to me bc she does not understand me. Please help

Vavsie

I guess it depends alot on the situation. I just never saw AS as a negative. Lots of times I call it "Albert Einstein Syndrome" or "absent minded professor syndrome" because people are more familiar with those stereotypes than the term "Asperger's Syndrome" or I may say "It is intense focus, so it is kind of like the difference between being "gifted" (high IQ) and genius (smart with incredible focus that allows one to achieve great things if one finds one's niche) and so with that incredible focus many things go unnoticed like where one's pencil is or if polka dots go with plaid or other people's body language.

So this post could as well go with the "putting a positive spin" on AS discussion. I think how one feels about one's self is what other people will pick up as to whether it is a bad thing or just an aspect of who one is, like brown hair or short or tall or eye color.

I think if you don't feel comfortable using a "lable" because you think others may just hear "disabled " and not make an effort to learn more about it, just discuss any traits you have that you think people may not understand. For example, just say "I am aware that I often take things literally and makes me make blunders sometimes, so it would be helpful to me if you try to say exactly what you mean." That gives people more exact information anyhow and also tells them exactly what you need from them.

Try to remember that there isn't a person alive that doesnt struggle with something, whether they have a diagnosis or not. I think most people would just think "Wow, I wish I was that self aware." Think of the incredible chance you have to be a good example to those you are dealing with. You may find them saying "I don't handle stress well" or "I am so compulsive about keeping my desk neat. I sometimes drive myself nuts."

All that said, I am kind of struggling with this issue with my daughter. If I tell people she has some autistic or PDD traits or has Sensory Processing issues I afraid they will see her as something wrong with her. If I don't then when she is being difficult to manage at a church picnic because she doesnt really pick up on any kind of stern tone or disapproval and I am jsut kind of taking it in stride because I know she just isn't "there" yet then I think people are thinking "wow, what a brat, and her mother doesn't even discipline her." I am really feeling this so much from my only real friend and her godmother. I know I may just be being paranoid but I feel like she is really thinks I am full of crap and if she jsut keeps telling me all the same crap that is in every book about toddlers on how to manage an typical toddler then I will become enlightened and Grace will suddenly be totally "in line", and if I push the issue of "look, Grace is difficult to manage because of inherent traits" I feel like she goes into "Grace is defective mode" (until she forgets all about it and starts telling me basic child management crap again.) It is like she never sees the positives anymore - that Grace is beautiful, absolutely brilliant, cheerful, funny wonderful loveable toddler. She just obsesses on her terrible eating habits, total lack of awareness of danger, and thinks I am playing with her no matter how stern I try to look. Oh well, I think I am rambling and in danger of going totally off topic, but I just want you to know that despite my great theories on how to work it, I struggle with it too. I feel so alone right now.

PAX,
Vavsie

Damo1974

A good book I read for the higer functioning ones on the specturm. People Skills by Robert Bolton phd.

A great read. Lotsof useful recipies and how to phrase things.

I have found that from reading and extrapolating the data (whist not specifically contained within the text) I often ask when I am explaining a complex topic to someone. Am I permitted to draw?

Just a useful book.

Tivah Brown

Vavsie, go with your gut on how to handle your wonderful daughter. You may have friends come and go.You may lose some acquaintences. But your daughter is with you forever. She lives with your choices forever. Do what you think is best for her. She is young. My son was like that when he was that age. By 4 he responded to my tone better. Yours may as well.

Tell your friend that "In the interest of preserving our friendship can we avoid the child development or child discipline issues." If she is a true friend, Vavsie, she will see that you are struggling with what to do and that she needs to support you by backing off as you ask.

You are struggling with this because you are not following your heart with this friend. You don't want to lose the friend yet you know in your heart what your daughter can and can not understand. Go with your gut and keep your daughter's long term interest at heart. In doing this you will gain that confidence you so beautifully talked about above.

Love,
Tivah

leopard

Refering back to Damo's earlier post regarding the Monty Python song. You think that's bad? Living the the East you are probably not familiar with the HBF song. HBF is the organisation I work for, in the call centre. They have this jingle.... Its "tune" (if it could be so called) is to me a little reminisent of Python's "Always look on the bright side of life." The lyrics (all 4 lines of them) are equally cheesy and mawkish without being funny. Some genius decided to use it as the hold music on the telephone. Whenever we are on hold to another department (which is frequently) the infernal thing is repeated over and over until I feel I could have a screaming fit. If it were not enough to have to put up with rude callers, stupid callers, almost incomprehensible callers, the conficting sounds of screaming kids, loud TV or industrial noise in the background, they have to inflict this on us! I once remarked to a fellow worker that they should sell it to Guantanamo Bay....I suggested in a meeting that the morale and mental well-being of the call-centre staff would be improved if they would get rid of it and replace it with some real music......but I don't think I was taken seriously.

Returning to the original subject of the thread. I made the impulsive decision a couple of weeks ago to disclose my conditon to a superior, and ask if I could be moved from the phones to a data entry position, which would be lower paid but less stressful. While she was outwardly sympathetic, I don't expect this to happen any time soon and I may end up wishing I had kept my mouth shut. We shall see....

gourdilefrog

I hope it works out, Leopard. I went through something similar at work recently and I'm still waiting to find out the results. It's something I only do when I think that it's completely necessary, because otherwise it just makes things worse. But in my case I'm pretty sure it will work out in time. Time is of the essence because once I've made said declaration I have to go through a "proving myself" period before people start treating me "normally" again.

But hey, as long as we're talking in Monty Pythonese....

"Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving
And revolving at 900 miles an hour
That's orbiting at 19 miles a second, so it's reckoned
A sun that is the source of all our power
The sun and you and me, and all the stars that we can see
Are moving at a million miles a day
In an outer spiral arm, at 40,000 miles an hour
Of the galaxy we call the Milky Way"

leopard

I LOVE that song! Especially the last line which as I recall goes something like

"Lets hope there's intelligent life somewhere out there...
'Cos there's bugger-all down here."

Kali67

Nice references to python guys, makes me want to put the DVD on. I could do with a good chuckle. :D

gourdilefrog

let's hope that there's intelligent life somewhere out in space
'cause there's bugger-all down here on earth :P

gourdilefrog

Know what's my favorite Brit humor movie, though, is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! I love it!

leopard

Thanks for the correct words! Yes, I have all 4 books in the H. G. trilogy.....

Damo1974

Ahhhhh the sweet sweet sounds of python. I was wondering when someone would complete the line.
Now that I've gotten rid of the He's Going to Tell song you have now opened the python box of reportoire and skits.
Must....... not.......... put......... CD........ on!!!!!!!!

Only last week I was debating the anals of Hitchhikers and how deep thought was disproved with the ultimate answer. I know, I'm a geek. But a beefcake geek!

Yup I'm back to normal again guys.

idahobot

hey, D. Adams is one of my favorite authors too. Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, and all the rest. I waited for each one as they came out. I have all his books. The original question about disclosing AS... My family knows and i think it helps them understand me a lot better and accept that a lot of the time i just "dont get it" what ever "it" is.

[Updated on 8/25/2009 7:53 PM]

gourdilefrog

What bugs me is that I felt compelled to disclose to my manager and she of all people ought to understand because she's too much like me not to be a little on the spectrum and her youngest is definitely on the spectrum, yet she seems to think it's not that I don't get "it" - but that I just don't want "it." And the really really tough part is that sometimes she's right! There are things I've learned to get over the years, but I don't want "it" anyway! Try getting people to accept that! Oy!

Damo1974

I learnt along time ago you cannot make a horse drink. He may be thirsty but it is up to hime to drink. All you can do is provide the water when they require it.

Vavsie

I really like that I have a therapist that said (in regards to my being picked on in school) "What makes you think there is something wrong with you? Maybe there was something wrong with all of them!" (and was serious). He does bring up a good point though. Look how nice we all get along! I am pretty sure there is something wrong with all the "normlies"!

My other favorite comment that really brought me out of my "funk" after "the dark times"

"The world is full of people way crazier than you that get by simply by believing they are sane."

Vavs

holytoledo

Thank you Vavsie, as the school year begins TOMORROW, your thereapist's words echo my feelings about my kid in the schoolyard environment. I look around at her class and see LOTS of kids with way bigger issues than hers, yet she is definitely singled out as the one with "something wrong". Ya just can't be differrent these days, is how it seems to me.

holytoledo

Speaking of Monty Python, does anyone remember a song about "Eric the half-a-bee?" Or did I just imagine it?

Damo1974

Half a bee philosophically, must ipso facto half not be.
but can a bee be said to be an entire bee when the bee is not a bee due to some ancient injury.......
Ahhhsinging..... Laadee dee. 1,2,3.

Nahhh I think toldeo is just imagining it.

holytoledo

ok, it's all coming back now. That must have been some party...