Jacob has always been a wonderful child and when you first meet him he seems like all the other kids, until you spend a lot of time with him you wouldn't know he has Aspergers. When people ask me to compare Jacob or describe what he is like all I can say is Jacob is Jacob. He's happy, always concerned about other people's feelings, likes to do for others. My biggest worry about Jacob is his inability to differentiate between how he treats family, friends, aquaintences and strangers, I'm afraid it will get him hurt and he won't understand what he did wrong to be hurt.
I have always known there was something different about Jacob, but that has never changed how I feel about him. When Jacob was 18 months old his Father and I separated and divorced, Jacob was in kindergarten (5 yrs) when he put it together and it was very traumatic for him. Jacob was diagnosed at 4 yrs old with Aspergers. I was just happy to know we had answers and now could move forward with doing what was right for Jacob, his Dad and StepMom just want him fixed. I wouldn't change who Jacob is for the world!!!!
Jacob is now 8 and going into grade 3 in the fall. He has a StepFather who would go to the moon for him and considers his StepFather his Dad over his Father. He is in Cub Scouts and love it. This year he went to camp without a parent there, went zip lining, over came his fear of the dark, and went horseback riding. He has also become an avid reader after struggling with reading until fairly recently.
Through everything I have learned that as a parent you need to be involved, you are part of the solution. You can't expect someone to fix your child. You can work with your child to make them the best person they an be.
Calgary, Canada