[AntiGuv]

I think it's terrific that you now have a diagnosis and are aware enough to work on it.

It's definitely helped! When I first came on the discovery it seemed so pointless because there's no cure, but just the self-awareness to work with it and modulate your life accordingly can make a huge difference.

In any event, it does sound as if your middle son may very well have some elements (at least related) though I'm definitely not trained to make any kind of diagnosis, to say the least. The good thing is that people can and certainly do live very successful lives with Asperger's and other mild forms of autism. The biggest impediment is of course in the realm of self-fulfillment and self-valuation and emotional well-being, but it can all be worked out. Of course, the severity and particular arrangement of characteristics make a big difference.

Most people that I've known including myself who've dealt with this and other variations of mild autism would say that it becomes much easier in adulthood; that it 'smooths itself out' you could say.

[annyokie]

Thanks. I am fortunate enough to have an undergrad degree in Psychology and have worked with troubled teens enough to know that my boy is "just" a nerd who, like you have, can be coached into modifying his behavior. He has improved a great deal in the last two years.

However, it is exhauasting to us and to him, that he must be corrected about fingering his supper and telling his little brother to shut up every meal.

My main concern is his choice of equally dorky friends who have the same flaws. I have approached their parents about this and get the "boys will be boys" line all the time.

[sarasota]

Well said and thanks for the insightful post. It does smooth itself out in later years. It's because these kids are slow to mature and need time for their developmental age to catch up to their chronological age.

[FITZ]

The good thing is that people can and certainly do live very successful lives with Asperger's and other mild forms of autism. The biggest impediment is of course in the realm of self-fulfillment and self-valuation and emotional well-being, but it can all be worked out.

How can a mild form really be a diagnosis? I think it could be risky to put labels on what is really within normal behavior --- asocial tendencies --- where someone is happy without friends isn't an illness. True autism would interfere with success --- I think that's why this article would be criticized. Just not being popular isn't an illness.