To wonder what aspergers is as I have only heard of it through mumsnet

[clpsmum]

Very sincere apologies for being so ignorant

[MavisEnderby]

It is part of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Special needs board may help if you need more info

[readywithwellies]

Just finished a novel about it. According to this novel:

As Mavis says

Higher than average IQ with eye for detail
Prone to 'meltdowns' in periods of change to schedule
Unable or find difficult to read body language and takes verbal communication literally.

As I said, it was a novel so not sure how accurate it is.

[MotherMucca]

Asperger Syndrome

[ShowOfHands]

I think people have often drawn a lot of comparisons between High Functioning Autism and Asperger's. I know when dn1 was dx there was still some debate over whether or not they were separate things. Not sure if this debate is ongoing. DN is fairly typical in that she struggles with social interaction, is fairly limited/obsessive in her interests and a bit clumsy. She is cognitively and linguistically unaffected which is often the case with Asperger's.

[Goblinchild]

Which novel? Not the Curious Incident by any chance?

[readywithwellies]

Goblin -

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Review from Amazon:
Emma is a single mother, with two boys, Jacob and Theo.

Jacob has Asperger's, so is definitely not your typical 18 year old. His social skills are minimal, and he gets distressed by changes to routine, physical contact, and the colour orange. He is totally obsessed with all things forensic, even having a make shift fuming chamber in his bedroom so he can check for fingerprints. His obsession extends to disappearing in the middle of the night so he can attend real life crime scenes, and give advice to the experts at the scene.

There are some amusing misunderstandings, as Jacob takes everything very literally, and also some very poignant scenes when Jacob freaks out uncontrollably and Emma has to resort to unusual tactics to get him back to his more normal behaviour.

Emma is stretched to her limits, both emotionally and financially, trying to make sure that Jacob lives as normal a life as possible. Her world is effectively ruled by what state Jacob is in at the time; she does not have the resources to take time for herself, nor for Theo.

Theo feels that his life has been messed up by his older brother, who gets all Emma's attention, and he is becoming jealous and rebellious.

Jacob's passion for crime scenes eventually gets him into trouble - it would spoil the story to say more.

Fascinating, a must read!

[readywithwellies]

Above review is not mine btw, I wouldn't consider Asperger's amusing in any circumstances

[Goblinchild]

Really not?
Do you have any experience with Asperger's Syndrome? Sometimes our household is hysterical!

[ShowOfHands]

Oh I think once you have personal experience of it, you probably have to laugh. DN laughs at herself. It's getting easier as she gets older and she can use her dx to her advantage in all sorts of ways. The phrase "Asperger's ha! Top trumps" to get the last doughnut is inspired and very funny from a 9yr old.

[readywithwellies]

Goblin - no experience whatsoever of Aspergers, only lower on the spectrum.

Well, I would find situations funny, just like when my nan's parkinsons stops her from drinking her tea, but not the condition. 'Suppose you would have to be in the situation to feel comfortable to laugh.