Asperger's Syndrome Introduction

Hey all!
Here is my post about Asperger's syndrome.
Asperger's Syndrome belongs to the group of disorders called pervasive developmental disorders, along with Autism. Somebody with this type of disorder may find it difficult to make friends because of social awkwardness and lack of understanding of social cues that is naturally picked up and learned by somebody who does not have a developmental disorder of any sort. Because of this, a person with Asperger's may find it also difficult to relate to anyone else.

Symptoms listed on WebMD.com about Asperger's Syndrome include the following:
-Very hard time relating to others.
-Like fixed routines.
-May not recognize verbal or non-verbal cues or understand social norms.
-May have a flat style of speech.
-May lack coordination, facial expressions, and body postures.
-May be clumsy.
-May have poor handwriting or other motor skills (such as riding a bike).
-May have one or a few interests, or may focus intensely on a few things.
-May be bothered by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes and textures.

I compared these symptoms to my sister, Gabrielle, who has actually been diagnosed by a doctor with Asperger's Syndrome.

-I do believe and see that she does have a hard time relating to others. There are certain things that she believes should be handled in a certain way. This is because that's how she feels she would handle whatever the situation is if it happened to her. She seems to have a hard time understanding there are other factors that goes in different types of situations...that others have different backgrounds than she does.

-I personally asked her if she prefers fixed routines over unstructured routines. She replied that she likes a fixed routine because it "feels...better. It's neater, I like things with neatness and organization."

-Having a hard time relating to others and not recognizing social cues or norms, to me, go hand-in-hand with each other. Gabrielle has no filter on her mouth. She will say whatever comes to her mind without thinking if it's appropriate to say or not. This has gotten her in trouble in relationships with friends and family, and with her teachers at school.

-I don't see any flat style of speech with her. Her pitch and tone do not seem the same all time...it changes. She does use some "bigger" words for simple things that kids her age normally wouldn't use...but I don't know if I would say that's because of her Asperger's.

-I had to ask her if she felt that she is clumsy because I am not around her all the time and from when I am around her...she doesn't seem to be anymore clumsy than I am. But according to her, "Actually, I am. Just ask Audrie and Zach, they could fill you all in on that!" Audrie is one of her best friends and Zach is her boyfriend who also has Asperger's Syndrome.

-Her handwriting is...very poor! Enough said. Anybody would be able to tell you this.

-I asked about her interests and focus on things. She replied, "Yes, I focus on the littlest details, and will spaz out when something's off. I have a big interest in angels and Bakura (some anime character). I draw them all the time. Oh, writing and drawing are also my fascination."

-I also had to ask about being bothered by loud noise, lights, etc. She replied, "I hate the feel of jeans, and light stroking touches on my arms and legs. I also don't like extremely bright lights, or flickering lights. Some smells I don't like, but I like peaceful smells. And I hate loud chewing and snoring and anything blaring in my ears (music doesn't count.)"

This is all I am doing for this post, since it's such a LONG one, but very informational!
Sorry for the length!
Remember to smile! :)

What a weekend it has been!

Hey all!

So I broke a promise. I said I'd post this weekend with some Asperger's info. Thing is, I was very busy and also not feeling good!
I watched my cousin's daughter overnight Friday and all day Saturday. She is one very active, energized, talkative 7 year old. I love her dearly, but man! I was kept on my toes with that one.
I took her, my son, my brother, and my sister to Lake Michigan in the early afternoon, and then to a local park that has a pretty cool playground and splash pad. So most of my day was spent outside and I got SUNBURNED!
Sunday, my brother, son, my grandfather, and I went to John Ball Park Zoo. Later on that day, the sunburn really got to me and I felt sick to my stomach and sooo tired from Saturday with lack of sleep. I ended up passing out earlier than I usually do which helped because I got a lot of sleep and made me well rested for today at work.

Today, I learned that beginning Thursday, I will be refreshed on how to do the deposits and paperwork so I will be able to do them when my manager is on vacation. This gives me a chance to show my district manager that I can do the job and show her how I handle it and hopefully encourage her that I AM ready to move up in the company.

Meanwhile, I am just getting by in work...working hard and sometimes longer than usual so I can get things paid off and move on in my life. I am hoping that by next July I may be able to own my own house!

Well that's all for this post. In a few minutes I will be uploading a post introducing Asperger's Syndrome!

Remember to smile! :)

It could always be worse.

Hey all!

So I know I complain about being single like all the time. But today just really put me back into the reality that I actually do have it good. I have a job, I have family, I have friends, I have shelter, I have food, I have the necessities in life.

Today, my manager had to leave the store in late morning to take care of a family emergency with her mother and one of my friends came into my work crying because of an uncle passing away, two days after also losing her cousin.

I am very fortunate to not have had any family emergencies or deaths of close ones. Being single is nothing compared to those hard times and I give thanks to the Lord for all that I have going for me.

If you are very down about anything, remember...IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE!

Remember to smile! :)

Not sure

When I see people with their significant other... It makes me want to have my own boyfriend. And I do want to get married one day. But just the whole thought of getting to know someone and going through that awkward first part really scares me.

I may want a boyfriend...but I'm not desperate. I won't take the first guy to give me a compliment or say hi. It takes something special for me to connect with them. I need that connection.

I'm not a toy.

I'm not here to be used.

So I build up walls. And only the guy meant for me will be able to tear them completely down. 

I apparently have to wait...something I HATE doing. 

But need to do nonetheless. 

With that tidbit of thought..

Good Night for me! 

What a week

Hey all!
Again, I'm sorry for the lack of regular posts. It's been a crazy week. I've been training one of my friends at work and it's going awesome. Tomorrow is my last day training her and next week she goes on her first solo shift and trains on opening and closing the store with a couple of my co-workers.
Yesterday, Kaiden and I went to the park for about two hours and it was kind of nice until I got tired and my legs started hurting.

I am so looking forward to my vacation in a few weeks. I need the break from work, refresh, and recharge!

Well, that's all I got the energy to write for right now.

As always, thanks for reading!

Sorry

Hey all, sorry about lack of posting.
It's been a very emotional and stressing week. But at least the week is almost done and soon will be my day off on Saturday. I will try to post more the next few days...but if not..don't worry! I'll be back on Saturday for sure! I'll even have interesting stuff for you to read about work and about Asperger's Syndrome.

Hope your week is going better than mine!

Love is CERTAINLY in the air! Except for me.

So, I have had one best friend get engaged some months ago, another best friend also get engaged some time ago, another best friend get married yesterday, and now, a 4th best friend just got engaged last night!


Although I'm VERY much happy for each and every one of them...I still can't help but wonder when will be my turn? I keep being told that my day will come, there's someone out there for me, I just gotta be patient, etc...but none of those reasons give me any sense of contentment, hope. In fact, each and every day, it tears at me a little bit and a little bit more. I can't help but honestly feel that my time will never come.

Honestly. I don't think I'll ever get the chance to live my dream of becoming married, have a man love me, and have more kids...

I just don't understand why I'm not allowed to be loved in that sort of way. :(

Well...
as always, thanks for reading..