Smelena wrote:
Hello,
My 7 year old son has asperger's and I'm wondering whether or not we should tell some of his classmates.
We are working hard on his social skills, but he loves to wrestle fight with other kids and he gets to rough. When they complain or cry he laughs at them. If I'm there I try to get him to apologise but he refuses.
Also he's going through a stage of calling everybody maniac, dufus and crazy. He thinks it's hilarious, but some of his classmates get upset. When I try to explain to him that they don't like it he doesn't believe me because he thinks it's so funny.
The kids have been accepting of his different ways so far. When he's done weird stuff before in class the other kids just say, "Oh, Daniel's just different"
However as the other kids are getting older, they're getting more annoyed with him.
My husband and the guidance officer say that we absolutely should not tell any of the classmates because he'll stand out. But he stands out with his different behaviour anyway.
My instinct is that I should tell some of the kids - a couple of the girls are very kind and helpful when he has meltdowns.
Daniel only has 1 friend at school (and that's fine by me). This friend knows about his Asperger's and the friends's mum knows. She has done lots of research on the net and has been lovely.
So I thought I'd ask other kids, do your classmates know?
If your classmates know have they been more accepting and helpful?
I would love your stories and advice so I know what I should do.
Thanks
Smelena
P.S. I have asked Daniel whether he wants his classmates to know and he's just said, 'I don't know'.
Woah! I don't know about you but I think this kid should be in Autism Speaks' HQ. He could get them out of business! Here's what you ro:
1. Once you somehow get him to calm down, wait until he graduates college.
2. Tell him to get a job at Autism Speaks, make sure he hides his aspergers and then get him to totally pwn them all.
3. LET HIM BE KNOWN!
This kid really is my idol and I'm four years older than him. [not a role model of course]