Hey everyone - introducing myself

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I'm a mum with a 6yo son who means the world to me. Apparently he's also gifted. I don't really talk to anyone about stuff so feeling very apprehensive about joining this website lol. I pretty much just let him do his thing while trying to teach him stuff about the *real world*. He's very well behaved, polite, and funny. But when he has a *melt down* it can be quite hard. I have read books, books, and books. I know his obsessions and I encourage them - computers, reading, World of Warcraft, and Mario lol I see nothing wrong with letting him spend all day (when not at school) enjoying those things. He loves going out to places like Science Works in Melbourne and museums though I've only discovered the latter recently lol. He goes to the movies very rarely (taking him today infact to see Horton Sees A Who) though he wears ear muffs as he doesn't like the noise. And he does Karate too - hoping it helps him control his anger a little, which is currently a problem at school even with a full time aide.

Today I introduced him to Java - he seems to want to learn game design so I pulled out my books and found a cool Kids Java website. He seemed interested but has put it down. I have found in the past if he shows an interest in something he initially ignores what I show him but some time in the future he picks it up and gets into it more. I don't push at all, just show him the stuff and leave it with him. Like languages - he went through the phase of learning different languages so I bought him the stuff - cds and books of Japanese, Spanish, German, French, and he does Chinese at school lol. This phase seems to have died down a little now.

Anyway, I love reading the experiences of older kids and adults with aspergers. It may by some miracle help me understand my own son a bit better and maybe he might be able to join the forum at some point if he's interested. Mind you yesterday he and I were playing WoW together and his chat was completely written in backwards language! He thinks that's cool - he loves the Backwards episode from Red Dwarf.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Your son sounds like a lot of fun!

Nice to meet you, Suepoo.

Welcome! You sound like a great parent. Teaching a six year old Java is quite an ambitious undertaking.

Hi Suepoo and welcome to the "right" Planet...

Its great to hear there are parents embracing there "special" children and like you my children could use computers from an early age, my 10 years old is now starting to make his own movies.
My 14 year old computer seems to be one of his best friends, but I have noticed that children on the autism spectrum do seem to pick things up quite quickly in the computer world...

Welcome to the forum, Suepoo!!

Wow, so many caring moms are joining the forum. I think I'm going to go give mine a hug now.

Another Aussie. Welcome.

I was going to reply to each but couldn't work the buttons lol

To Alex - I haven't started teaching him yet so won't pat myself on the back just yet lol - I showed it to him and what it might be able to do and then I'll let him decide if he wants to or not - bit like leading a horse to drink. I'll show it to him but won't force him to drink, if that makes sense?? I'm not sure that I'm a great parent but I try to be the best I can

and to Asplanet - I agree about the computer stuff though my partner and I are both into IT - he works in it and I study it - so Zander has been immersed in computers since the day he was born pretty much. He got his own at 18months. When he was 2 my friend told me to get his IQ checked as it wasn't normal for a 2 yo to be able to install programs and start playing them. I argued saying that it was normal for him as that has been the environment he's lived in - we've always let him explore and learn and never said *don't do that* etc. But then we are lucky in that if he breaks a computer my partner can pretty much fix it. So I'm still mixed about whether that is an aspie/autism trait or environmental. Though I would say his obsession is definitely aspie lol

cheers guys

Hi!

Welcome to Wrongplanet!

Another Aussie? Wow! Is March a good month for Aussies to join, or what?

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Welcome Suepoo!

Welcome to WP!